ODESSA, Fla. — Hillsborough County commissioners want to know just how many lost burial sites there are at another forgotten Bay area cemetery. 

  • Hillsborough commissioners to bring in USF researches to compile list of lost cemeteries
  • Latest discovery came last week in Odessa after dive team found possible grave markers
  • USF team may take 3 to 4 months to compile list of forgotten cemeteries across county

This comes after a sheriff's office dive team recovered three possible grave markers last week from Lake Twitt, next to land that once was the all-black Keystone Memorial Cemetery in northwest Hillsborough County.

The cemetery is believed to have been lost 70 years ago near what is now a 130-acre tree farm. 

As a child, Clarence James can remember the cemetery behind Mount Pleasant AME Church in Odessa. 

"My grandmother Emma and my relatives (are) buried out there," said James, now 85 years old. 

There is no visible trace of the cemetery. 

In fact, there’s no clear sign that anyone was buried around the church. James wants to know what happened. 

"I would like to know if they’re still over there," he said. "Were they were dug up? There’s a lake right there, whether they cast the bones into the lake or what?" 

The results of last week's dive of the lake have led to more questions. 

This is the latest search for a forgotten African-American cemetery in the Bay area. Researchers have found graves in areas of east Tampa, under King High School and searches have started at property in Pinellas County and in parts of MacDill Air Force Base. 

Thursday, commissioners called on a University of South Florida archaeologist to help locate the lost cemeteries and burial grounds in the county.

So far, a list indicates 45 that were possibly destroyed, disturbed or at risk. But there could be even more. Officials said it may take three to four months to compile a list of forgotten ceremonies.

"We know there’s a lot that has never been documented or recorded," said archaeologist Erin Mimmerle. "So that’s a big part of the challenge."

Meanwhile, James said he is happy to see county leaders are trying to do something. He’s hoping a group effort will lead to some sort of memorial for his family. 

"I have a heart, and a mind, I don’t want to see them just cast away," James said of his relatives. "Gee whiz, and that’s what has happened so far."