The Wonderful World of Cemeteries A very good friend approached me one day saying, "Patsy, would you type some gravestone information for me?" Little did I know this simple request would turn into an obsession that has changed the way I look at graveyards forever. Over 60 cemeteries later - and with no end in sight - I have a completely different opinion of the importance of gravestones and the necessity of recording the historical information they contain. One gravestone can hold a wealth of pertinent facts such as maiden names of wives, children, place of origin, place of death and the details of cause of death. Some indicate that an individual is buried at another site altogether. The really old ones are extremely difficult to read and take some ingenuity to decipher. The conditions of stones or wooden crosses have to be taken into account. Weather plays a devastating and significant part in their deterioration. In a series of informative yet light-hearted articles I shall cover the various aspects of gathering information to help the budding family historians out there to see that it is not so daunting an undertaking. And yes, there is method in my madness. Genealogy is described in the dictionary as the "study of ancestors." Throughout written history there have been carefully recorded events such as births, marriages and deaths. In all too many cases these records have been lost by accident or deliberate destruction. The publication of Roots by Alex. Haley fired the enthusiasm of thousands to search their own roots. From this has evolved an interest to the point that today it is the most popular hobby in the world. The Internet has turned out to be a very significant tool in this search. In the past two years alone the growth rate of information sharing has multiplied phenomenally with more resources appearing daily. A major type of recorded history has been overlooked until very recently. Historically, it is extremely important in our research yet a great wealth of it lies still untapped. This is the data found in cemeteries. It is generally called MI or monument inscriptions. As monuments themselves are large structures dealing with whole families or persons of great stature, this term is not really good for your average graveyard. Preferably the term should be gravestone inscriptions. When you decide to record this information, there are a few basics to follow: Bring along a kindred spirit. Two sets of eyes are better for reading those difficult 18th and 19th century figures and letters. And believe me, in the flowery style used then, they are quite different from ours today. Be prepared. Have lined loose-leaf paper (foolscap), clip board(s) and pencils and/or pens. If you choose, use a tape recorder or laptop computer. These last two are really helpful and time-saving if you plan to complete a very large cemetery in one day. Pack a lunch. The size of a cemetery can be deceiving and time has no meaning until your stomach says, "feed me", and your eyes say, "this is not finished yet." Insects can be a lovely addition to test your patience and dedication, so bring along a bottle of repellent. Sunscreen is a MUST - as is a good hat for shading your eyes and neck. An umbrella is an added item - but only if you can juggle clipboard, pen and umbrella. And if you can, would you send me a picture? That would really be something I'd love to see! Archives: Part One: Introduction to the Wonderful World of Cemetery Research Part Two: Recording Gravestone Information Part Three: The Face of a Gravestone Part Four: Cleaning Gravestones Part Five: Restore or Beautify? Part Six: Are Your Ancestors Buried Here? Part Seven: Visit to an Ancestor Comments or Suggestions? Contact Patsy by E-Mail Back to Musings from the Cemetery Patsy's Mailbag