Tips for Exploring Old Graveyards

I enjoy walking through old cemeteries. The older the better; the reason is, old cemeteries contain easily accessible records to the past. Anyone with a little time and curiosity can uncover a town's beginnings by exploring its oldest burial spaces.

The earliest burials in a graveyard may coincide with the town's founding date. Perhaps a rash of child deaths appear during a particular period. Was there an influenza, malaria, or some other outbreak? Are tombstones inscribed in other languages? This discovery may reveal a town's immigrant roots. Pay attention to the stonework. Are motifs similar throughout the graveyard? Are they ornate or simple? Are many stones primitively marked? Such observations will point to the presence (or lack) of a skilled artisan. The possibilities for information are bountiful, but before heading off to discover the buried past, engrave these tips in stone.

First, do not go into an isolated area alone. Many old cemeteries may be in either isolated or rural areas. City ones may border dangerous locales. Know where you are going and behave accordingly. I like to take a friend, or at least tell a friend where I will be and when I expect to return.

Second, wear protective clothing. Grass and weeds may be prevalent. You might also carry a pruning shear to cut vegetation away from overgrown markers.

Third, step lightly and, preferably around, old burial spaces. The ground may be soft and you don't want your hopes for historical gain to quite literally sink.

Fourth, DO NOT RUB headstones. This hobby defaces old markers, which equates to erasing historical records that may be important for genealogical research or other purposes.

Fifth, take pictures in the morning for the best light. Most tombstones face east and, since the sun also rises in the east, you'll get the best light in the morning.

There are a multitude of good books on exploring cemeteries. Most spotlight local or state cemeteries. For some interesting reads, check out New Orleans cemeteries: life in the cities of the dead and Texas Graveyards. There are also many good websites that give detailed information about each state's cemeteries. Start with the U.S. Genealogy Website, but know that many burial places have yet to be recorded and surveyed. All it takes is someone with a little time and a computer to do the work. Anyone can volunteer for this job on a state's genweb site or other archival project site. Photos are also greatly appreciated by the people who run these archival agencies and organizations. See the resources panel for more interesting cemetery links.