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Archive for August, 2008

Searching for Family Cemeteries

Friday, August 15th, 2008

#2 in a Series of 3 About Tombstones and Cemeteries

Cemeteries are wonderful places to research Family History, as I discussed in Tombstones, Our Ancestors’ Monuments to Genealogy Research, my first post in this series where I gave examples of the many things that can be learned from tombstones. Even if you’re lucky enough to know the name of your ancestor’s Cemetery, finding it can be an archaeological task worthy of Indiana Jones, especially with lost family cemeteries or towns that have changed names or disappeared completely. However, as always with Genealogy, the rewards can be well worth the effort, so cue the theme music and our search is on!

Tombstones, Our Ancestors’ Monuments to Genealogy Research

Monday, August 4th, 2008

Even before I began researching my Family History, I loved visiting Cemeteries. Aunt Betty and I once found a grave completely capped in copper. I wanted to know why, but there was no one to ask. In Arizona I saw Tombstones of settlers marked with “Killed by Apaches.” I wondered if Apaches marked their graves “Killed by Settlers.” And the graves of my own ancestors caused me to ask if I looked like them, were they pirates and why were they were buried so far from where we lived?

Although Cemeteries have always inspired me to ask questions, Genealogy changed that. Now I go to Cemeteries to look for answers.