History Center
Room 141-Social Science Building
Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN 56258
E-mail Contact: [email protected]
| THE PRAIRIELAND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY History Center Room 141-Social Science Building Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MN 56258 E-mail Contact: [email protected] |
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General Rules for Plotting a Cemetery
Some good rules to follow when plotting, or walking, a cemetery. First, have the proper tools to do the job. Many stones are hard to read, so take a
can of shaving cream and a roll of paper towels along. When you put the shaving cream on where the writing should be, then wipe it off, it is much
easier to read. Transcribe the entire name, birth, death and marriage date if it exists on the stone. Also, put down the names of any of the
children on the stone. If it was a baby buried there and the names of the parents are on the stone put it down also. Do not, repeat, no not, put
down information which is the same, in other words avoid duplication of your work. The names and birth dates are often times on the foot stone as
well and this is only a duplication of your effort. Also, it is not necessary to put down the inscriptions such as "Rest in Peace", etc. They are
never used when put into a book form and no one really cares about that in getting their family facts. It has also been noted that sometimes there
is an indication that the tombstone contains a picture. This can be put down, but is not necessary. Last, but not the least, when doing the typing
check and double check your information for errors. In many cases it is typed and submitted without checking, This is a definite "no, no". Many
times a cemetery is done, then forgotten about. This means we sometimes get way out of date. Cemetery plottings should be done at least every two
years, or you should have a contact, the caretaker for example, or anyone that may have the cemetery records for an update. |
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