The following is a transcription of Old Pozirayevka Cemetery located 3 miles east of Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan. Rural Municipality of Blaine Lake No. 434. Land location: SE28-44-6 West of Third. Latitude: 52°48.780. Longitude: 106°48.391. Transcribed by Jonathan J. Kalmakoff on July 27, 2006.
View of the cemetery entrance from the south facing north.
Historical Background
Old Pozirayevka Cemetery was established in 1899 by the Doukhobors of Pozirayevka village near Blaine Lake. After the abandonment of the village in 1913, the cemetery continued to be used by local Doukhobors until 1928, when a newer, second Pozirayevka Cemetery was established nearby. Thereafter, the original Pozirayevka Cemetery was used only by members of the Kutnikoff family. The cemetery is still in active use and is partially maintained.
Layout
The cemetery is half an acre in size and is enclosed by a wire fence. There is dense scrub and brush in portions of the cemetery. There is a single iron gate on the south side. The cemetery contains approximately 42 interments in a single section comprised of three rows facing east-west. Over half the graves (approximately 36) have no marker, however, many of the mounds are still clearly visible. I have used oral tradition to identify one of these. With respect to graves with markers, the markers are typically plain slate, marble or concrete upright headstones or flat markers set flush to the ground. Click here for an online cemetery map.
Driving Directions
To access the cemetery, travel east from the Town of Blaine Lake on Township Road No. 445 for 3 miles (4.8 km). Then turn south on Range Road No. 3063 and continue for one mile. Turn west and continue for a 1/4 mile (.4 km). The cemetery is on the north side of the road allowance. This cemetery is on private property and permission to access should be obtained by the owners.
Transcription
| Surname | Name | Birth Date | Death Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kutnikoff | Andrew N. | 1877 | 1939 | |
| Kutnikoff | John A. | Jul. 14, 1912 | Jan. 12, 1987 | |
| Kutnikoff | Mabel S. | Aug. 3, 1913 | Feb. 10, 1992 | |
| Kutnikoff | Pearl | 1887 | 1967 | |
| Popoff | baby | – | – | Unmarked |
| Postnikoff | Alex W. | May 20, 1892 | May 17, 1920 | |
| Postnikoff-Reban | Mary Anna | Aug. 15, 1889 | Jan. 12, 1960 |
In addition to the above, the following families resided in Pozirayevka village and may have members buried in Old Pozirayevka Cemetery: Barisenkoff, Hubanoff, Kutnikoff, Maloff, Parakhin, Popoff, Samoyloff.
Another view of the cemetery from the south facing north. Note the dense brush in foreground.
Notes
Various sources of data have been used in compiling this information including marker transcriptions and oral tradition. I have photos of the headstones and would be happy to share them. This is a work in progress. If readers have any comments, corrections or additions with respect to Old Pozirayevka Cemetery, please contact Jonathan J. Kalmakoff.
