If you’re delving into your family history, finding your ancestors’ headstones can be a deeply meaningful part of the journey. Headstones offer more than just a burial location; they often provide valuable genealogical information such as birth and death dates, familial connections, and sometimes personal inscriptions that give insights into their lives. In this blog post, the knowledgeable volunteers from Las Vegas Family History explore how to start your search for those ancestral markers:
Gather Family Information
Before you can locate a headstone, gather as much information as possible about the ancestor you are searching for. Start with:
– Full name (including maiden names for women)
– Birth and death dates (or approximate years)
– Locations where they may have lived, worked, or passed away
– Religious affiliations or cemeteries they might be buried in
Talking to older family members, reviewing family records, and checking historical documents like obituaries, wills, and old letters are excellent places to begin.
Visit Local Archives & Historical Societies
If online resources don’t yield results, try local historical societies, libraries, or archives in the region where your ancestor lived. Many small-town libraries keep local cemetery records, which may include maps or lists of individuals buried in their area. Genealogical societies often have members dedicated to preserving burial records and may even offer personalized research services.
Contact Cemeteries Directly
Once you have an idea of the location, try contacting the cemetery office directly. Many cemeteries maintain detailed burial records that include plot numbers and even headstone maintenance information. For older or smaller cemeteries that may not have formal offices, local churches often maintain burial records for their affiliated cemeteries.
Explore Church Records
If your ancestor was religious, they may have been buried in a churchyard or cemetery affiliated with a specific denomination. Many churches keep burial records that predate civil registration, and these can be goldmines for family historians. Research the churches in the area your ancestor lived and inquire whether they still maintain these records.
Use Genealogy Websites
Platforms like Ancestry.com or MyHeritage often have user-submitted burial records and cemetery information, along with family trees that may already include burial locations. Additionally, these sites often connect to the aforementioned grave databases, making it easier to find information if someone else has already located the headstone.
Plan a Cemetery Visit
If you have narrowed down the location, visiting the cemetery is the next step. Many cemeteries have maps at their entrances or markers to guide visitors to specific sections. If your search is taking you to a historical cemetery where records may be sparse, bring supplies like water, sunscreen, and a camera to document any findings.
Ask for Help from Local Volunteers
If you can’t visit a distant cemetery in person, consider enlisting the help of local volunteers. Some genealogy societies or organizations like Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK) offer volunteer services to photograph headstones or assist with cemetery searches.
Check for Historical Headstone Projects
Some regions and groups have taken on projects to catalog and preserve headstone information, especially for cemeteries that are old or endangered. These projects often upload their findings online, including transcriptions of inscriptions that may be hard to read or have weathered over time.
Photo Digitization & Family History Classes in Las Vegas, NV
Finding your ancestors’ headstones can be a rewarding experience, connecting you to your family’s past in a tangible way. With persistence, the right tools, and a bit of detective work, you can locate their final resting place and preserve this important piece of your family history for future generations. At Las Vegas Family History, our volunteers have experience in diving deep into records and online sources to help you discover long lost relatives. Join the free Las Vegas Family History classes offered weekly to utilize an in-person source to discovery.