Jump to content

GPSr and Genealogy


Recommended Posts

While out visiting graves of reletives on Memorial Day my sister came up with a great idea. She was having a hard time finding some of the headstones that we don't always visit through out the year. So we are going to try and go to all of them that we know were they are during the summer and get the loction useing a GPSr. Then she can enter the location into the genealogy software she has our family tree on, as there is a place for notes. The software also has a place for pictures, so we are going to take a snapshot of the headstone with a digital camera and enter it into the software as well. I thought that this was a great idea and just wanted to pass it along for anyone else who does genealogy and can't always remember were that headstone was at. I think this could be some valuable information for future generations to have.

See ya at the next cache.

Link to comment

As far as "cemetery caches" go, I don't think this has anything to do with them, but it has alot to do with GPS. This seems to be one of the best ideas I've seen here for the practical use of GPSr. I can envision genealogists embarking on a project to catalogue all grave sites by lat. and long. with GPS technology. It's ironic that someone from Utah would bring this up. icon_smile.gif

Link to comment

Good idea, as long as the headstones are legible. Given the amount of error a GPSr has, if they graves are unmarked, or the headstones are unreadable (as is the case in many old graves out here, sandblasted clean by the wind and dirt) you may land at the wrong grave if you don't include a description with the coordinates.

Link to comment

It’s a great idea Banshee. I've been doing it for some time now. I have lots of cemeteries to go before I get all of my family done!! I think the biggest thing is just to mark the coordinates of the cemetery itself. No matter how many times I go to some of them I still have to figure out what little county road its hiding down.

 

Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out alive.

Link to comment

quote:
Originally posted by TEAM 360:

Good idea, as long as the headstones are legible. Given the amount of error a GPSr has, if they graves are unmarked, or the headstones are unreadable (as is the case in many old graves out here, sandblasted clean by the wind and dirt) you may land at the wrong grave if you don't include a description with the coordinates.


 

True, but if you have been involved in genealogy as I am (www.mccaddon.net) you will see where some of the gravestones that have been located have also been photographed. GPS coordinates will do a few things for the hobbyist.

 

1. It will mark that tiny little out of the way unmarked only known by the locals cemetary.

2. It will eliminate a long search in a large cemetary.

3. It will definitely get you close enough to the appropriate headstone that a small search radius wouldn't kill ya. (no pun intended) It'd be like ...ummmm.... a relative cache hunt. icon_rolleyes.gif

 

Again, here in the NW, there have been some cemetaries so overgrown and neglected, they were no longer recognizable as such and are rediscovered only when the area is being developed. GPS coordinates could help the hobbyist locate it/them.

 

Cheers!

TL

Link to comment

I've been doing that for a few years now. It is a definite help while doing genealogy work to be able to specify where a cemetery/grave is located.

 

So many times over the years, the names get changed so when you're looking for them on a map, you can't find them.

 

I've also started to do the same type of gps recording for Civil War graves and monuments I've found.

 

GPS rules! icon_biggrin.gif

 

 

"The hardest thing to find is something that's not there!"

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...