Genealogy & Gravestones - Why Was He Buried - There?

Gravestones and cemeteries are extremelythe 1800s, so a death within 4 months of a birth
interesting areas of research for your family tree.may be another clue.
There is much to discover from searchingAfter doing some searching and identifying a very
through a cemetery which contains severallikely grave, you can write to the cemetery office
ancestors' over time. Sometimes families had allto request more information about your ancestor.
family members interred at one specificRemember that the staff may be quite busy and
cemetery, and deceased individuals from othermay need proof of your relationship in order to
towns/states were transported to that cemeterycomply with your request. Provide details of why
for final burial. However, you may find that oneyou believe this is in fact your greatgrandfather,
individual is buried many miles away from otherand ask if there is a fee for the service. There
family members, perhaps in a different state ormay be nothing but the dates and names of the
country. How interesting - I wonder why? Goodancestors. However, for example, my
question, interesting clue. Here are some tips tograndfather's burial gave the cause of his death
help you search on burial information of your(massive heart attack), which I hadn't known
ancestors.previously.
Online: Many gravestones and burials are onlineLook at newspapers in the area where your lone
now and available to search, mainly for free:ancestor died: there may be an article or mention
FindAGrave is one example to search. In addition,of his death, such as an accident, illness, or the
there are volunteers or members of locallike. Also look in the newspapers where his other
genealogy societies or of "Graveyard Rabbits"relatives lived: they may have picked up the
groups who have taken the time to go throughinformation and provided it to local papers as well.
cemeteries methodically, listing every stone andThis is particularly true in the later 1880s and into
detail, often including a photo as well.the 1900s. For example, details of the education
Start off by identifying the town or village youras well as death of one of my greatgrandfather's
ancestor may have died in, and then identify asons were printed in the Port Townsend WA
likely cemetery. Remember that some familiesnewspaper as well as in the East Berlin News PA,
had gravesites on their property, particularly ifand noting that he died in New York city, NY. If I
they lived on a farm, or in a very sparselyhad only looked in the New York City newspapers
populated area. Histories of the area may giveI would have missed the rich details reported in
you more information on this possibility.the other papers.
Search on a town website for the names ofWhile we would like to think that gravestone
cemeteries in the area, or search at FindAGravecarvings are "accurate", errors can creep into
also. Once you find a likely cemetery, begingravestones carvings, as well as irregular spellings.
searching using the surname, then search usingBe prepared to think creatively as you search for
first names. Finally, go through the cemeterygravestones. Also, find an additional source to
listings name by name. It won't take as long asconfirm the details on a stone, before you
you think it might, and the results are well worthconclude this grave is definitely of your ancestor.
the search. For instance, you may well findSome sources might be newspaper obituaries,
married women with their maiden name listed asarticles, city/county histories, church notices and
well - how helpful! Also, the search function onlinerecords, and the like.
for a cemetery may not pick up all yourWhile you are online at a cemetery, check the
ancestors if their name is spelled slightlyinformation provided, and see if there is a
differently, or if only an initial is shown, or anypossibility of a volunteer taking a photograph of
number of reasons. Therefore, search bythe headstone in question. You may find that the
surname, then search by first name, then govolunteer is a long-time resident of the area, and
looking name by name by name.is quite knowledgeable about history, perhaps
Examine the year(s) in which your misplacedeven has more details about your ancestor at the
ancestor died. Was there a war or skirmish on?local museum or archives. Unless you ask, you'll
An epidemic? Did a frontier area in the nextnever know. For example, I requested a photo of
county or state open up and everyone movedthe headstones of my greatgreatgrandparents in
away except this one? How can you find out thisa CT cemetery where they were listed on
information? Local newspapers, perhaps? A loneFindAGrave. In less than 3 hours, I had 3
interment (burial) can give you great clues towonderful photos, plus information on the house in
follow. Multiple interments by one family could givethe background, and details of exactly where in
you different clues. For instance you may findthe cemetery these individuals are buried. How
that there were more James Terwilliger orexciting!
Grover Buell burials than you knew, in one area.As more and more clues are found, use every bit
Which one is 'yours'? How can you tell? Thinkof information, and ask yourself more questions.
carefully about the kinds of details which will helpIs there a symbol etched onto the gravestone?
you identify your ancestor.What does it represent? Find out! Write to the
Here's another tip: Look for first wives beinglocal genealogy society and ask questions. Perhaps
buried in the same gravesite or area assomeone living in the town has the exact
subsequent wives; it would be misleading to thinkinformation you are searching about your
they are children, but an easy error to make.ancestor - and may actually be a cousin. Enjoy
Search for the details of birth and death, andyour searches!
remember that some women died in childbirth in