Importance of Cemeteries in Genealogical Research
Cemeteries serve as a crucial resource for genealogical research, often holding important information like birth and death dates, family connections, and various biographical details. Headstones can provide insights into occupations, military service, membership in fraternal organizations, or even the causes of death. Additionally, cemetery records can enhance other genealogical resources, such as census data and vital records, aiding in the reconstruction of family histories and offering a fuller understanding of ancestors' lives.
Challenges of Genealogical Research in Cemeteries
While cemeteries can provide valuable genealogical information, researching in these places comes with its own set of challenges. One major difficulty is finding gravesites, especially in older cemeteries where headstones might be worn down or hard to read. Furthermore, some cemeteries may lack complete records or have lost them entirely, complicating the search for specific individuals or family plots.
About the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is a comprehensive database that catalogs place names across the United States. It provides details about the names, locations, and features of both physical and cultural landmarks, including mountains, rivers, cities, and, importantly, historical sites like cemeteries.
This database is utilized by government agencies, businesses, and individuals for a variety of applications, including land management, emergency response, and map creation. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is responsible for maintaining and updating the information in GNIS to ensure its accuracy and reliability.
About Find a Grave®
Find a Grave® is a platform that offers users a virtual cemetery experience. Established in 1995 by Jim Tipton, it enables individuals to search for and locate the graves of deceased persons from across the globe.
In 2013, Ancestry.com acquired Find a Grave® from Mr. Tipton. The site boasts over 200 million grave records worldwide, complete with photographs, biographical details, and interactive maps.
Users have the option to create and manage virtual memorials for their loved ones or those they respect, allowing them to add personal messages or photos to these memorial pages. Find a Grave® is utilized by genealogists, historians, and anyone looking to connect with their ancestry or honor loved ones. The site is free to use and depends on contributions from users to keep the records current.
Additionally, the site features options like the ability to request grave photos, volunteer opportunities to take and upload gravestone photos, and a forum for discussions on cemetery research and preservation.
Genealogists find transcriptions of cemetery headstones particularly useful, especially when the original stones are missing or hard to read. These transcriptions can be an invaluable resource for research. Scholarly articles provide excellent information on this topic. For instance, a study by Stephen P. Broker from the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, titled "
Death and Dying in Puritan New England: A Study Based on Early Gravestones, Vital Records, and other Primary Sources Relating to Cape Cod, Massachusetts," offers an intriguing examination of early gravestones in Barnstable County and includes numerous transcriptions of family names.
Beyond published works, many genealogical societies and organizations have taken on the task of transcribing local cemeteries, with many of these transcriptions available online or in local archives. For example, the
Cape Cod Genealogical Society provides transcriptions through its research library located in Dennis. Another valuable source for gravestone inscriptions is genealogy blogs, such as Bob Carlson's impressive
"Cape Cod Gravestones." His blog features over
40,000 epitaphs.
Records of the Cemetery Office
Cemeteries typically maintain detailed records that can be incredibly useful for genealogical research. These records may consist of plot maps, the names of original owners, their addresses, and the dates of purchase, as well as burial registers that document the names and dates of individuals interred in a plot. Additionally, other documents can aid in finding gravesites and gathering biographical information. You can easily access this information by reaching out to the cemetery's business office.
Conducting Genealogical Research in Dukes County Cemeteries
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Planning Your Visit:
- Collect information about the person or family you are researching
- Find out their birth and death dates
- Look into any known cemetery plot details
- Reach out to cemetery offices for records and their visiting hours
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Essential Tools for Cemetery Visits:
- Notebook and pen
- Digital camera or smartphone
- Cemetery map
- Small digging tools (like a trowel) for uncovering hidden headstones
- Soft brush for cleaning headstones
- Water and a soft cloth to enhance headstone legibility
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Cemetery Etiquette:
- Show respect for grave sites and their surroundings
- Refrain from walking on graves
- Adhere to any posted rules and regulations
- Get permission before doing any rubbings or extensive cleaning
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Documentation Best Practices:
- Record the cemetery's name and its exact location
- Take note of names and dates from headstones
- Document any additional details (e.g., epitaphs, symbols)
- Photograph headstones and the surrounding area for context
- Make sure the gravestone location is visible to others
- Record your exact GPS location
- Alternatively, sketch the layout of family plots
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Follow-up Research:
- Cross-check the information collected with other sources
- Look for additional records based on new leads
- Reach out to local historical societies for further information
- Share your findings with other researchers or family members
Key Features
- Detailed listing of 22 cemeteries in Dukes County
- Direct links to informational pages or cemetery offices when available
- Access to thousands of memorial stone inscriptions
- A valuable resource for researching local history and genealogy
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find a specific grave in Dukes County?
You can locate a specific grave by using our alphabetical cemetery listings and clicking on the Find a Grave® links. This will allow you to search for individuals within each cemetery.
Are all Dukes County cemeteries included in this guide?
Our guide is quite comprehensive, featuring 22 cemeteries, but it may not cover every burial ground in Dukes County. We are committed to continuously updating our information.
How can I contribute information about a cemetery?
To add or update cemetery information, please visit Find a Grave®'s contribution guide for detailed instructions.
What tools are essential for cemetery visits in Worcester County?
When visiting cemeteries, it's helpful to have: a notebook and pen, a digital camera or smartphone, a cemetery map, small digging tools (like a trowel) for uncovering buried headstones, a soft brush for cleaning headstones, and water with a soft cloth to enhance headstone legibility.
What are some best practices for documenting cemetery research?
To effectively document your cemetery research, consider these best practices: Record the cemetery's name and precise location, note names and dates from headstones, document any additional details (such as epitaphs and symbols), take photographs of headstones and the surrounding area for context, and sketch the layout of family plots.
What online databases are useful for researching Dukes County cemeteries?
Two very helpful databases are the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and Find a Grave®. These resources offer details on cemetery locations and specific burial records.
Email Updates
Help Us Improve! If you find a better link for a cemetery, please email us at services@mass-doc.com. Your contributions help make this resource more valuable for everyone.
Cemetery Listings for Dukes County, Massachusetts
- Chilmark Cemetery, Chilmark
- Christiantown Memorial Cemetery, Vineyard Haven
- Company Place Cemetery, Vineyard Haven
- Cuttyhunk Cemetery, Gosnold
- Dagget Burial Ground, Tisbury
- Federated Church Memorial Garden, Edgartown
- Gay Head Indian Burying Ground, Aquinnah
- Gayhead Cemetery, Aquinnah
- Hilltop Cemetery, Edgartown
- Lamberts Cove Cemetery, West Tisbury
- Martha Vineyard's Hebrew Cemetery, Vineyard Haven
- New Westside Cemetery, Edgartown
- North Tisbury Burying Ground, West Tisbury
- Oak Grove Cemetery, Oak Bluffs
- Oak Grove Cemetery, Tisbury
- Old Westside Cemetery, Edgartown
- Sacred Heart Cemetery, Oak Bluffs
- Sailors Burying Ground, Tisbury
- South End Cemetery, Tisbury
- Tisbury Village Cemetery, Tisbury
- Town Hill Burying Ground, Edgartown
- West Chop Cemetery, Tisbury
- West Tisbury Village Cemetery, West Tisbury
