Understanding Cemetery Research in Plymouth County

Cemetery research in Plymouth County offers unique opportunities due to the region's extraordinary history as the landing place of the Mayflower and birthplace of colonial America. This comprehensive guide covers all essential aspects of genealogical research in America's most historic burial grounds.

About This Guide

Welcome to our detailed guide to Plymouth County, Massachusetts cemeteries. This invaluable resource provides:

  • Industrial era occupations in Brockton's shoe industry

Challenges of Genealogical Research in Cemeteries

While cemeteries can provide valuable genealogical information, researching in these places comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in historic Plymouth County:

Common Research Challenges:

Colonial Weathering

Many 17th and 18th-century headstones have weathered badly, especially in Plymouth's oldest burial grounds.

Missing Records

Some early colonial burial records have been lost or were never formally maintained.

Popular Destinations

Historic sites like Burial Hill attract many visitors, potentially complicating research visits.

Conducting Genealogical Research in Plymouth County Cemeteries

1. 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 visiting hours

2. Essential Tools for Cemetery Visits

Documentation Tools

  • Notebook and pen
  • Digital camera or smartphone
  • Cemetery map

Cleaning Supplies

  • Soft brush for cleaning headstones
  • Water and soft cloth
  • Small digging tools (trowel)

3. 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

4. Documentation Best Practices

  • Photograph headstones and surrounding area for context
  • Record exact GPS location
  • Document names, dates, and epitaphs
  • Sketch layout of family plots

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find a specific grave in Plymouth 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 Plymouth County cemeteries included in this guide?

Our guide is quite comprehensive, featuring 136+ cemeteries, but it may not cover every burial ground in Plymouth County. We are committed to continuously updating our information.

What makes Plymouth County cemeteries unique for genealogy research?

Plymouth County contains some of America's oldest maintained cemeteries, including Burial Hill in Plymouth where Mayflower passengers and early colonists are buried. These historic burial grounds offer unique insights into colonial and early American family histories.

What tools are essential for cemetery visits in Plymouth County?

Essential tools include: a notebook and pen, digital camera, cemetery map, soft brush for cleaning headstones, water with soft cloth, and small digging tools for uncovering buried headstones.

What online databases are useful for researching Plymouth 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.