Memorial Day and Cemetery Research

 Memorial Day is coming soon, and folks will drive to local cemeteries to decorate their loved one’s graves. Why not make your trip a mini family history search if you have time? Cemetery research is essential for genealogy and is one of my favorite activities. An outing to cemeteries usually yields a lot of information on family history. But before you visit a cemetery to do research, you will need to plan ahead.

This large headstone has elaborate carvings. It's the headstone of a 4-year-old child. Notice the lamb on top, depicting a child's grave.

If you've never been to a particular cemetery that you want to visit, search online for it and read the given information. Sometimes, there may be locked gates that won’t allow access between certain times of the day and evening. Sometimes, the cemetery rules are posted at the site of the cemetery. During Memorial Day, there will probably be a group of volunteers manning an information table on the grounds and will gladly accept donations for cemetery upkeep.

Gather the necessary equipment. Your camera is the first item on the list! Include a flashlight (you never know when you may need it), a spiral notebook or other paper, a pen, a measuring tape, an old brush, clean rags, a jug of clean water, and a spray bottle of water with a bit of ammonia. I usually take gardening gloves and small pruning shears if I need to clear overgrown brush from around a headstone.

Wear appropriate clothing, as you will want to be comfortable bending over, walking, and possibly weeding around your family's gravestones. Wear sturdy walking shoes or boots; a sunhat might be handy in hot weather.

The above headstone is that of an African American man who lived with a family in SW Missouri. When he passed, they erected the small stone in his memory. My brother found it and called my attention to it. I researched and found out information about Ike. He was born in NW Arkansas. 

If bird droppings are on the headstone, use water and a soft brush to clean it. If lichens or mosses cover the gravestone, spray the ammonia water directly on them and wait a few minutes, then carefully brush the growth off. Lichen and moss damage headstones, so get rid of them immediately. After removal, spray water on the stone and wipe with rags until dry. Try not to scrape or scratch the stone.

This headstone is a modern one with an epitaph on the back. 

Using your notebook and pen, record all the information on the headstone, noting any symbols depicting fraternities or organizations and including the writing on them. Use your camera to take photos of all sides of the gravestone and wide-angle shots capturing other graves surrounding it. Note the sun and ensure the glare does not block or shadow any portion of the stone. Also, photograph the cemetery gate, signs, and other identifying markers. 

Use the measuring tape to measure the gravestone and describe it accurately. Also, write down the direction and distance of the graves and where they are located within the cemetery so you can easily find them again. 

This headstone is an obelisk or spire. 

Remember to use safety when going on a cemetery excursion. Go with a friend or family member. Always ensure you have enough gas in your vehicle. Carry your cell phone with you (there may not be reception in remote areas). And always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. 

These two headstones are for a man and his wife. They are huge, with triple bases and lots of adornment.

If you drive to a remote cemetery in the hills and hollows, be alert to your surroundings and the terrain, and always watch for snakes or other wild animals. Keep track of your time and stay within your time constraints. Another factor to consider is the weather. Be prepared; sudden thunderstorms can be dangerous. 

Use Memorial Day weekend to do a little family history research. My next blog post will be about cemetery and headstone history. I wish you a safe Memorial Day!