The following is a transcription of Porto Rico Doukhobor Cemetery located 4 miles north of Ymir, British Columbia. Land location: Plan X55, District Lot 1238, Kootenay District. Latitude: 49°19.572. Longitude: 117°14.747. Compiled by Lawrna Myers with Nick Kootnikoff on October 15, 2006. Updated on June 7, 2007.
View of the cemetery site. Note the stone grave mound (centre) on the forest floor.
Historical Background
This cemetery may have been established by the Christian Community of Universal Brotherhood to serve its logging camp at Porto Rico from 1921 to 1926. It is known to have been used by Sons of Freedom Doukhobors interned at the abandoned camp from 1929 to 1931. Thereafter, the cemetery ceased to be actively used and is now badly outgrown. It is owned by the Crown.
Layout
The cemetery is approximately a tenth of an acre in size and is unenclosed. There is dense scrub, brush and trees throughout. The cemetery contains seven interments in a single section comprised of two rows facing east-west. The graves are unmarked, however, the mounds are still clearly visible. We have used oral tradition to identify six of these. The remaining unmarked grave is unidentified.
Driving Directions
To access the cemetery from Nelson, travel south on Highway No. 6 for 22.7 km (14.1 miles). Pass the right-hand (west-bound) turnoff to Porto-Rico-Ymir Road, go over the Barret Creek Bridge and stop at the left-hand (east-bound) turnoff to Porto-Rico-Ymir Road. Or, to access the cemetery from Ymir, travel north on Highway No. 6 for 6 km (4 miles) and stop at the right-hand (east-bound) turnoff to Porto-Rico-Ymir Road. In either case, park at the turnoff and continue on foot. Proceed west, crossing Highway No. 6 and then following the power line for approximately 60 feet until it reaches the main power line. Then walk approximately 40 feet south (left) until reaching a large rock, three feet in diameter. From the rock, continue up the hillside for approximately 125 feet. The cemetery is located at the top of the hill.
Burials
| Surname | Name | Birth Date | Death Date | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fominoff | George | – | – | Unmarked |
| Kootnikoff | Alex A. | Jul. 19, 1929 | Jun. 30, 1930 | Son of Alex and Anna – Unmarked |
| Kootnikoff | John A. | Dec. 14, 1927 | Jul. 2, 1930 | Son of Alex and Anna – Unmarked |
| Popoff | Nellie G. | – | – | Nee Fominoff – Unmarked |
| Posnikoff | Edward | – | – | Infant – Unmarked |
| Voykin | Peter | – | – | Unmarked |
View of a stone grave mound (lower centre) at the cemetery.
View of another stone grave mound (centre).
Notes
Various sources of data have been used in compiling this information, including oral tradition. Special thanks to Walter Swetlishoff, Pete Elasoff, Bill Voykin, Peni Johnson and Marion Verigin for assisting in locating the cemetery and identifying interments. This is a work in progress. If readers have any comments, corrections or additions with respect to Porto Rico Doukhobor Cemetery please Contact Us.