LOOKING FOR DEAD PEOPLE

Genealogy Tech: Online Graveyards

This is a great time of year to visit your ancestors' final resting places. If you can’t go in person, an online graveyard can be a great alternative for both researching and remembering your ancestors' lives.


What is an online graveyard?
We use the term 'online graveyard' to refer to websites that put information from a cemetery on the Internet. Some of our favorites are http://www.findagrave.com for gravesite and cemetery photos, www.interment.net for lists of cemetery transcriptions, and www.namesinstone.com for cemetery records and maps. In addition, individual cemeteries may have their own websites, with photos, records, and maps.


Why are online graveyards valuable?
Online graveyards provide the opportunity to view cemetery records or gravestone information previously only available by visiting the cemetery in person. Online graveyards are great for those who are unable to travel, or for those who are planning to visit and want to get to know the cemetery and gravesite before they go. In addition, online resources can be very helpful if you don't know where your ancestor is buried, because you can conveniently explore multiple cemeteries in the area where your ancestor died or lived most of his/her life.


How can I find out if my ancestors are part of an online graveyard?
The simplest way to start is to go to an online graveyard website and search for your ancestor by name. If a name search doesn't work, try browsing cemeteries by location. Location searches are also useful for viewing others who are buried in the same cemetery as your ancestor. When you find your ancestors, many sites give you the option to upload photos to enhance the record or leave a virtual flower on the grave webpage.


How can I contribute?
Most online graveyards are fairly new, and many are incomplete. Thus, these websites are asking for volunteers to help by contributing information that ranges from a photo of a single grave to a transcription of an entire cemetery. Be sure to check each of the websites above to see how you can help. Also, check with your local Genealogy Society to find out if they are doing a cemetery project for an online graveyard.


How can I make the most of my cemetery research?
Whether you are walking through a cemetery literally or virtually, many of the same tips apply. Make sure you look at the graves around your ancestor's, because they might belong to other family members. Also, be sure to print out and/or bookmark the website for future reference, just as you would take pictures and make notes in a cemetery you were visiting in person.