|
| |
Cemetery Transcription Instructions
In some cases all that is left of our ancestors is what is
inscribed on the marker of their final resting place therefore, accuracy of
transcribing headstones is of the utmost importance.
Anyone wishing to volunteer transcribing cemeteries, burial
grounds or graveyards, should follow these simple steps before uploading them to
the world wide web:
- REVIEW-REVIEW-REVIEW! -
Don't think that once is good enough. Review your
information at least 3 times before completing your cemetery transcription.
Many times simple typing errors are made in a name spelling, date or epitaph.
The slip of a finger or lack of alertness can
spread through someone's family tree without anyone knowing all due to a
mistake that could have been corrected.
- DON'T ASSUME! - Don't
assume a name engraved on a stone. If you can't make out a letter,
number or whatever, use a ? to indicate it can't be read.
If the name "Matthews" is spelled on a stone with only one "T" instead of two,
don't assume it is with the two T's. You can safely make a notation for
the transcription of the spelling you think it is.
If it is noted that someone is the "wife of", "husband of", "son of",
"daughter of" etc... don't assume someone's relation to another unless it is
specifically stated on the stone. Many cases this is mistaken when 2
people share the same headstone or plot. Although in most cases it is
safe to assume this, it is not safe to assume when doing a cemetery
transcription.
Sometimes letter inscribings can be mistaken for other letters such as "G &
C", "I & L", "O & D", etc... when this happens, you may want to indicate this
as a note or even try and do a lookup of that name with both spellings.
I have noticed this many times and can be frustrating since you don't want to
be wrong.
- TAKE GOOD NOTES! - Bring a
note pad or hand-held tape recorder with you. In many cases noting who's
buried in a family plot and their location can be very helpful to those trying
to research their families. Therefore taking excellent notes makes your
transcription that much more useful than just listing names & dates.
- BE CAREFUL! -
Tape Recorder's - be
sure to spell out the name so that you do not mistake "FREDERICK" for
"FREDRIK" or "HOGAN" for "HOGEN" or "LORRAINE" for "LORAIN" etc...
Although they may sound the same, their spellings maybe different.
Note: Although this is a quick way to transcribe, it should not be your
only means of transcribing since sometimes stones may get passed over and
errors can occur on dates & name spellings.
Video Camera - be sure to give at least 5 seconds
on each stone at various angles & distances. Sometimes the light can
reflect off of stones making it not readable.
Note: This is one of the best means of transcribing, but can be time
consuming.
Digital Camera - be sure to to get a good
close-up shot of names & dates. Some stones may require you to take a
picture on an angle in order for the engraving to be readable through your
picture due to sunlight reflection or type of stone.
Note: This is a good way to transcribe, but you will need a note pad or
tape recorder with you to document burials in family plots or who is buried
next to who. Be sure you have a good quality digital camera with lots of
memory.
Note Pad - although this may be your only means
of transcribing, many errors can occur using this method and it is very time
consuming.
TIP: The best time to use a digital camera
or video camera is on an overcast day or after rain since sun glare often
makes it impossible to get a good transcription. After rain, the stones
become wet which enhance the markings very clear.
- CEMETERY LOCATION - Some
cemeteries may not have a name or even an address but it is important you take
the time to provide as much information as you can on the location. For
instance, from the nearest cross street, land mark etc... take a mileage
reading such as 1/10 mile, 3/10 mile.
- LARGE CEMETERIES - We dread
to think of transcribing large cemeteries, but transcribing the older sections
may make the task that much easier since newer burials have easy record
access. Be sure to indicate this on your transcriptions.
- GIVE YOURSELF CREDIT -
After all, you were the one who took the time to hit the graveyard to make
information useful for others so pat yourself on the back! Everyone
surely appreciates your efforts.
|
