How To Do A Cemetery Transcription
Written by Marylee KnightActually the process is decidedly low tech. You arm yourself with a clipboard and pen. Go to the cemetery and record all information on every tombstone. I also take along some white sidewalk chalk to help on the older faded stones. (I use the sidewalk chalk because the next rain will wash it away and not permanently deface the stone. Also a spade comes in handy when stones have sunk into the ground far enough that the last line is covered.
When I type up the cemetery I do it in alphabetical order as that makes it easier for researchers to use. However, I keep my original copy as on it I mark it by rows and also who is buried next to whom. Often that is a clue to family members.
Since you are native to the area I would also suggest that you add lines to your typed copy showing the name of the spouse and children. These are things that you carry in your head while researchers may spend years trying to ferret out the same information.
The format I use in my typed copy is:
Name:
Born:
Died:
Spouse: (This line I use for the name of spouse and marriage date if known)
Children:
Other: (This line I use for recording data from a military stone and the inscription on the tombstone such as "Mother" or "Father" as that indicates the person was married and had children.)