Cemetery Photo Transcriptions – A Guide

1. Cemetery Photo Transcriptions – A Guide Anne M. Cady freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~stlawgen August 2006

2. Index/Agenda • Why do an inventory • Basic tools and guidelines • Creating the inventory • While in the cemetery…. • Putting the data online • Cemetery stones, markers, and traditions

3. Why do an inventory?

4. Why do a photo cemetery inventory? • Allow people far away to view stones of family and ancestors • Stones are deteriorating at rapid pace • Acid Rain • Other environmental conditions • Vandalism • Preserve our history for future generations Sometimes for a child, the tombstone is the only record that they lived. Born between census listings, and before birth certificates, once the stones are gone, who will remember they existed?

5. Cemeteries are vanishing at an alarming rate Age and Acid Rain Disrepair Overgrowth of plants/shrubs Vandalism

6. Basic Tools and Guidelines

7. Basic Guidelines • Try to do entire cemeteries, not just sections • Partial inventories can create more questions than they answer • Can be difficult for someone else to pick-up where you left off • Keep pictures a reasonable size for best online viewing • Computer screens lack the pixels of photo printers. • Using high resolution pictures will cause problems • Slow viewing due to large file sizes • Only a fraction of the picture displayed on screen, with scrolling needed to see full image • Keep written log while taking photographs to record inscriptions • Assists when creating online inventory • Inscriptions can be hard to read in photographs • Include details (Names, dates) in online inventory • Seeing birth/death dates from the stone provides clues as to whether stone is for desired person or not

8. Tools of the trade • Notebook and pen (with extra ink or a spare pen) • For creating written inventory record • Digital Camera • Set for approximately 896x592 pixels • Works best for computer display • Soft/plastic bristled brush for cleaning stones • Never anything that could scratch or damage delicate/soft stones • Flashlight (to create shadows to read inscriptions) • Sensitive fingers (for “reading” worn inscriptions using fingers) • Lots of water (for drinking….its HOT work)

9. Creating the Inventory

10. Log book • Document stones and inscriptions • Try to keep family groups together (look around area) • Epitaths: • Copy them if you like.....most repeat (sleep on thy parent, and take thy rest, ....) • Map large cemeteries • Make up own sections if needed, but indicate that you did and include either a map or an introduction providing section locations.

11. Photos for Web • Resolution – • Don’t use too high of resolution if photos are for online viewing • Watch your own shadow • Try to avoid having your own shadow or reflection on the stone. • Always get a full shot showing entire monument • then take close-ups of inscriptions (if can’t be seen clearly in full shot) • Cropping • Cropping of pictures to mainly show stone saves space and can make text clearer • General shots of cemetery • Include some general shots of the cemetery to allow researchers get the “feeling” of the cemetery

12. Inscriptions for Living People: • Living children listed on stone: • Many stones (especially catholic cemeteries) list children with their birthdates • Do not put online for any children who might be living (under 100 years old) • Living individuals on stones • Usually a husband or wife, or both when stone bought in advance • Use your discretion • I chose to put these online as the individuals and information shown was made public on the stone by the same individuals • Can be omitted if desired, but be aware that often people get buried without adding in death date (especially true for last family member buried)

13. While in the cemetery ….

14. Reading Stones • Finger touch • For worn inscriptions, toppled stones, etc…”reading” stone with your fingers may be best way to decipher the writing • Flash light – • Angle light at stone to create shadows • Soft brush only • Hard brush can scratch or add unneeded wear to stone • No shaving cream, chalk, etc • Leave no material on stone that wasn’t there originally • Use of shadows/time of day • Stone photograph best when sun is just passing overhead (sharpest shadows in carvings) • Rainy days can actually be better than sunny days! • Inscriptions can be easier to read when cloudy than with glare of sun • Always check ALL sides of stones (finger touch if needed) • Names can hide anywhere. Check all possible locations for inscriptions

15. Common PhrasesKnowing common phrases helps in reading stones “In Memory of…” Common starting phrase that sometimes means the person isn’t buried there “Relict of...” Widow at time of death “Departed this life….” Date of death AE 47 yrs, 9 mos, 2 dys Age at death “Consort of...” Husband alive at time of death …in her 78 year (age 77, NOT 78!) Also seen as “in the 78th year of her age)

16. Common PhrasesKnowing common phrases helps in reading stones “Here lies the body of ….” “Sacred to the memory of ….” “The Grave of ….”

17. Foreign Markings • Stones often have markings in other languages • Examples from St. Lawrence County: • Croatian, Spanish, German, Hebrew, French, Latin • Help can be found online to translate • Volunteers – A person in Croatia saw my inventory of Old St. James Cemetery in Gouverneur and translated a group of stones for me • Organizations – Jewish Cemetery Association for hebrew stones • Google (or other site) that offers language translation • Try to discern key info (name, dates) from stone to put in online inventory along with photograph

18. Markers • GAR – Grand Army of the Republic - • Civil War Veteran DAR – Daughter of American Revolution VFW – Veterans of Foreign Wars World War I Veterans Masons American Legion AMVETS – American Veterans of WW II, Korea, Vietnam DAV – Disabled American Veterans Organ Doner Boy Scouts

19. Use of Shaving Cream, etc.. • Unless the stones are of your own family, do not use the following to read stones: • Shaving cream • Chalk directly on stone (or leaving residue on stone) • Hard brush or scraping instrument • Anything that can damage or leave residue on stones • While there is debate as to the effects of the acid in shaving cream, etc….some families are STRONGLY against its use, so show respect and err on the side of caution. • Remember: When doing an inventory, above all else, leave things in the same or better condition than how you found them.

20. Items near markers should be left as found • Never take anything off markers -- Candy bars, rocks, coins, beer cans, etc • Often left by family (favorite beer, food, or candy, etc) • Sometimes have cultural/religious significance • Stones left on Jewish headstones by visitors • Large items can be moved for photos, but always replace and leave the way you found it

21. Respect, Etiquette • Funerals • If funeral comes in, leave -- (unless cemetery is large enough to move to different area) • Mourners/Family • Don't interfere with families visiting stones • Try to work in other areas • If someone asks to have a stone removed from inventory, do it with out any questions and with apologies • Attire • Dress to not offend, but do dress comfortably (its hot work) • Avoid T-shirts with “controversial” topics/themes, etc • Caretaking • Some caretaking of the cemeteries is always appreciated • Pick up blowing trash type garbage and throw out (if sure not left intentionally) • Water flowers when you can (cemeteries often have water taps) • Pull obvious weeds, clean-up dead flowers

22. Down/Flipped Stones • Be careful • Stones can be heavier than they look. Don’t use back to try to lift. • Tilted stones can topple with little pressure • Sometimes put camera under and snap picture with flash • Even if you can’t see the inscription, the camera may be able to capture them • Finger read underside • Let your fingers do the walking over the inscription • Leave no worse than you found them • OK to try to raise partially sunk stone, or flip overturned stones but ONLY if you are confident it can be done without damage • Document flipped stones in inventory (and if possible indicate nearby family stones)

23. Other hints • "Our Baby" stones – • Remember to check backside for more information • For hard to read dates or names • Use census listings or obits, etc to figure out age, names, family members • Include “Mother”, “Father” if indicated on marker • Informs researcher that person had children, important especially for women who died young

24. Cemetery History/Culture/Lessons • Direction of burials • Christian burials are most often done with the feet pointing west • Reason: For the second coming, the dead would “sit up” and face the east • Modern cemeteries may or may not follow this tradition • Husband/Wife • Usually buried as they are married: • Husband on the right, wife on the left • Unique Local History Lessons • Times of illness • Extremely large number of 1918 graves, sometimes all in a row due to flu epidemic • 1918 deaths (unlike other times of illness) hit people in prime of life • People between 20-40 very hard hit; many children orphaned • Deaths of children often following death of mother • Multiple deaths in family on same day (Fire, illness, poisoning) • Times of War • Families with multiple people in service (many generations, many siblings, etc) • Families losing multiple sons (4 in one family in Civil war, many cases of 2-3 in World War II) • Women serving in the armed forces (more and more common as years continue) • Other interesting discoveries • Example: In Gouverneur there is a doctor who outlived five wives and married his sixth before he died (and he was only 68 when he died)

25. Putting the data online

26. Many ways to order names in Inventory • Purely Alphabetical • Strongly recommend against as it breaks up family groups (married daughters, etc) • List Stones in the order they are located (front to back, etc) • Works best for small cemeteries where clear order can be seen and documented • May still break up family groups as some family groups are in blocks that span many rows of cemetery) • Can make it hard to search for surnames if cemetery is large and inventory spans multiple files • Alphabetical Family Grouping (my preferred approach) • Try to identify stones in close proximity that are part of family group • By names, type of stones, etc • Try to identify main name in family group, alphabetize under that name • Put cross-reference indicators in inventory listing at alphabetical location for other surnames: • For example, if “Susan Smith, wife of Frank Jones” is listed with the Jones family, then make sure there is an entry under “Smith” in the inventory pointing the researcher up to Jones: i.e. – Smith (See also: Jones)

27. Creating the HTML File • Online inventory will be in HTML Format • Various ways to create • Use Word and then save as HTML (option in word) • Use Excel and then same as HTML • Directly type enter HTML file in Text Editor (my favorite approach) • Creates smallest file • With practice, is the fastest for creating file • More details next page

28. Example HTML File • HTML Tags: • <b> : Begin bold font; </b> : End bold font • <br> : End of line/Return • <a href=“xxxx.jpg”> text </a>: Inserts a hyperlink to the file “xxxx.jpg”. The clickable text will be the “text”. • I usually start by typing in the text in red in the example below, then copying it. That way, I can just do a CTRL-V to paste it at the start of each new line in the file. I then edit the xx to the picture number. SAMPLE TEXT HTML FILE: <b>Kiah</b> (See also: Blake, Dings)<br> <A HREF="DCP_5507.JPG">Edward Kiah</a>, 1893-1971 (Section 6)<br> <A HREF="DCP_5507.JPG">Florence</a>, 1898-1969 (Section 6)<br> <A HREF="DCP_5509.JPG">Hollis C. Kiah</a>, PFC US Army World War II/ Oct 25, 1921 - Dec 17, 2002; Purple Heart; <A HREF="DCP_5508.JPG">Military Marker</a> (Section 6)<br> <A HREF="DCP_5510.JPG">Ladonna Jean King</a>, Sept 18, 1952; infant daughter of Edson & Marian (Section 6)<br> <br> <b>King</b> (See also: Boyer, Kiah)<br> <A HREF="DCP_9016.JPG">Joseph Eugene King</a>, 1858-1934 (Section 3)<br> <A HREF="DCP_9016.JPG">Harriet Pelow</a>, his wife, 1863-1933 (Section 3)<br> <br> <A HREF="DCP_90xx.JPG">James E. King</a>, Aug 13, 1916; son of Edson King; <A HREF="DCP_90xx.JPG">Close-up</a> (Section 3)<br> <br> RESULTING HTML DISPLAY: Kiah (See also: Blake, Dings)Edward Kiah, 1893-1971 (Section 6)Florence, 1898-1969 (Section 6)Hollis C. Kiah, PFC US Army World War II/ Oct 25, 1921 - Dec 17, 2002; Purple Heart; Military Marker (Section 6)Ladonna Jean King, Sept 18, 1952; infant daughter of Edson & Marian (Section 6)King (See also: Boyer, Kiah)Joseph Eugene King, 1858-1934 (Section 3)Harriet Pelow, his wife, 1863-1933 (Section 3)James E. King, Aug 13, 1916; son of Edson King; Close-up (Section 3)

29. Where to put data • There are a number of places to get free webspace • For genealogy data, one of the best is: • http://freepages.rootsweb.com • Unlimited storage provided for no charge • Supports FTP uploading of files • I prefer WS_FTP program to upload, but there are many others • Many ISPs also offer users free storage • Watch for size limitations on storage, with all the pictures, the amount of storage needed is large

30. Types of Markers

31. Types of Markers • “Family Name Only” Monument with Individual Footstones • Check back side for different family name and keep with name on front (usually related families) • Family Monument with detailed information on stone • Check ALL sides (front, back, left, right, base) for inscriptions • Compare names to footstones • Individuals can be left off main stone but have footstones • Single/Double Headstone • Most common type of monument today • Sometimes may include some children • Can be upright or slant style • Oldest Stones • Thin Slate/sandstone markers • Often have multiple people listed so keep reading from top all the way to bottom • Very rarely may have inscriptions on back as well

32. Various materials used for markers Sandstone/Softstone – Followed the Slate stones. Often had extensive carvings Slate – Oldest Stones Wood – Usually Crosses Marble – Can be large with sculptures Metal/Other – Variety of other materials Polished Granite – Most common today

33. Natural and Hand-made Stones

34. Military Markers • Many Types (see pictures) • Take care in copying text • Don’t make an AAF person an Army person!! • Include photos of military marker in addition to other markers

35. Civil War • Early Civil War stones (including those of soldiers killed in the war) pre-date government markers • Typically have flags, eagles or drums • Often give details on battle in which soldier was killed, or hospital where death occurred • May list unit number, but not always • Stones can also often be identified by GAR markers nearby • However, GAR markers get moved and by themselves are not reliable.

36. Funeral Home Markers • Sometimes the only marker is the one from the funeral home • Good information on these markers • Name of individual, Dates of birth-death, Name of Funeral home • Include information from these markers into inventory

37. Other types of Markers

38. Cemetery Iconography

39. Cemetery Symbolism Handshake – Farewell to earthlyexistence and God’s welcome to heaven (if sleeves are masculine and feminine can also mean holy matrimony) Finger up – Hope of Heaven Hand of God plucking link of chain - God bringing a soul unto himself Finger down – God reaching down for the soul Other Hands: Hand holding Ax – Life cut short Hands holding chain with broken link Death of family member

40. Cemetery Symbolism Angel Flying – Rebirth or Resurrection Willow Tree – Perpetual Mourning, Grief Crown & Cross – Victory & Christianity Or Member of York Rite Masons Book – Holy Bible; Often a teacher or minister Flying Birds – Flight of the soul

41. Cemetery Symbolism Sheaf of Wheat – Harvest, Full Life (usually on older person’s grave) Rose – Brevity of earthly existence; Full bloom – Prime of life Flowers – Condolences, Grief, Sorrow Severed stem – Shortened Life Drapes – Mourning or Mortality

42. Cemetery Symbolism Dead Dove – Prematurely Shortened life; Usually on a child’s grave Lamb – Innocence; Almost always on the grave of a child Broken Column – Loss of life, loss of head of family Sickle/Scythe – Mortality Urn – Mortality

43. About me…. Ann ? 1773-1863 • Born in Syracuse, NY • Grew up and still live in Washington DC area • Began tracing mother’s St. Lawrence County roots in 1997 John McCoy 1773-1852 Sarah Jane Hurst 1825-1907 Sarah Ann McCoy 1801-1878 Sylvester Washburn 1859-1939 • Began cemetery inventories in 2000 • Employed full-time as Aerospace Engineer Ada Washburn 1896-1972 Frances Mullin 1930- No Pic Sylvester Washburn 1829-1859 No Pic Samuel Hurst ? – bef. 1838 Anne M. Cady 1960- Nehemiah Washburn 1765-1859 Sarah Brown 1862-1938 Rufus Washburn 1791-1829 Betsey Edwards ? – before 1850 Aurelia Stevens 1801-bet. 1860-1870 Daniel G. Mullin 1880-1955 Joseph G. Cady 1928-