AHC Preservation
AHC and their partners have documented
African American veteran grave sites that have been documented in Find A Grave — in Plateau Cemetery (Africatown), Oaklawn Cemetery, and St. Austin Cemetery (Toulminville). In partnership with the Alabama Historical Commission, we are locating unmarked graves, restoring missing VA markers, and placing flags and military seals for those who served.
The work
Our grant-funded preservation project works alongside the Alabama Historical Commission (AHC), the Africatown Heritage Preservation Foundation (AHPF), and the churches and families who steward these sacred grounds. Together we are building a complete record of the veterans buried in Plateau, Saint Austin, and Oaklawn cemeteries.
Any work that adjusts, repairs, or cleans a grave site — including adding or placing medallions and markers — requires a written, detailed plan and, in most cases, a permit from the AHC. In Plateau Cemetery, plans are signed off by the AHPF; for Oaklawn and St. Austin, by Reverend McQueen of True Vine Baptist Church. Where a veteran's family is known, every plan is guided directly by the family and the representatives of each cemetery.
Because so many efforts are underway at once, this work is coordinated carefully and respectfully — keeping in mind the ongoing planning and preservation taking place across these historic grounds.
Cemetery by cemetery
A living record, updated as records are verified and markers are located in the field.
Plateau (Africatown) Cemetery
≈ 209View list ↗veterans documented as of July 2026
- ≈ 21have a civilian marker and known location, but lack a VA marker.
- ≈ 13show an apparent missing VA marker or unmarked vault cover.
- ≈ 26are documented from military records, but their burial location is still unknown.
Saint Austin Cemetery
≈ 109View list ↗veterans documented as of July 2026
- ≈ 56have grave markers located so far.
- 53documented from military records, obituaries, and death records — markers still being located.
Oaklawn Memorial Cemetery
≈ 1,066View list ↗veterans documented as of July 2026
- ≈ 920have identified grave markers.
- ≈ 146documented from records, with markers still being confirmed.
These listings are based on local information, as of 08/05/2026, that has been documented from headstones, obituaries, death records, and BIRLS reports, as well as Ancestry and FamilySearch records. If anyone is unable to locate their family information, check with the Mobile Public Library Local History and Genealogy, the Africatown Heritage House, and VETS Recovery.
Records & resources
Public records, virtual cemeteries, and reference material behind our documentation. Links open on the Alabama Historical Commission, VA, and Find A Grave.
Alabama Historical Commission
Grave-site work is coordinated through the AHC Cemetery Program and its permitting process.
VA markers & medallions
Reference for the headstones, markers, and bronze medallions available to eligible veterans.
Notable veterans
Veterans of special historic significance interred in these cemeteries.
Plateau graves needing repair
Documented veteran grave sites in Plateau Cemetery that are damaged or in need of repair.
Find A Grave virtual center
Our collected virtual-cemetery record tracking these veterans and their grave sites.
With deep gratitude
A special thank you to the Find A Grave community of contributors
Who we work with
Preservation is a shared effort across the Commission, the foundations, the churches, and the families.
- Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) — Cemetery Program
- Africatown Heritage Preservation Foundation (AHPF)
- Anderson Flen — AHPF, Plateau Cemetery
- Deacon Wells — Yorktown Baptist Church, Plateau Cemetery
- Mark Greggs — Pine Grove AME, Plateau New Sect
- Chiquitta Howard — AHPF / Mellon
- Rev. Sandy McQueen — True Vine Baptist Church (Oaklawn & St. Austin)
- Ana Wright — Oaklawn & St. Austin
We're here to help
Looking for a loved one's grave?
Whether you need help locating a veteran's grave, or you would like a flag or military seal placed at their site, share what you know below. A member of our AHC preservation team will follow up with you personally.
Your information is used only to help with your request and is never shared publicly. Grave-site work follows all Alabama Historical Commission regulations and is coordinated with each cemetery and family.