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The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record, and Preserve Your Ancestors' Graves
Not all research can be done from home--sometimes you have to head into the field. Cemeteries are crucial for any genealogist's search, and this book will show you how to search for and analyze your ancestors' graves. Discover tools for locating tombstones, tips for traipsing through cemeteries, an at-a-glance guide to frequently used gravestone icons, and practical strategies for on-the-ground research. And once you've returned home, learn how to incorporate gravestone information into your research, as well as how to upload grave locations to BillionGraves and record your findings in memorial pages on Find A Grave. • Detailed step-by-step guides to finding ancestors' cemeteries using websites like Find A Grave, plus how to record and preserve death and burial information • Tips and strategies for navigating cemeteries and finding individual tombstones in the field, plus an at-a-glance guide to tombstone symbols and iconography • Resources and techniques for discovering other death records and incorporating information from cemeteries into genealogical research
411 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2017
19 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Joy Neighbors
3 books4 followersAn avowed “Tombstone Tourist,” Joy Neighbors has an avid interest in cemeteries, history, photography, and genealogy. Her first book, The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide was published in September 2017 by F&W Media. Neighbors has written the popular cemetery blog, A Grave Interest for seven years, and enjoys sharing her findings with groups and organizations interested in cemeteries and genealogy.
Neighbors is a former journalist and broadcaster, and now works as a freelance magazine writer. She is currently writing a full-length play about Kentucky pioneer heroine Jane Todd Crawford.
Neighbors is a former journalist and broadcaster, and now works as a freelance magazine writer. She is currently writing a full-length play about Kentucky pioneer heroine Jane Todd Crawford.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 24, 2017
Explore the Silent City where history is alive and enlighten the path to your own heritage. Neighbors' guide is more than just a cemetery trek" how to" but is also an excellent insight into how to delve into the mystery of WHO and WHERE we came from. I have been a genealogist and cemetery adventurer for over thirty years and still managed to glen some new ideas from this guide. Internet web sites, organizational worksheets, and her own personal discoveries make this book a must for beginners and advanced researchers. "A copy of this book was made available by F&W Media via NetGalley with no requirement for a review. I have voluntarily read and the comments here are my honest opinion."
September 28, 2017
I received this as an ARC from Netgalley.com.
First line: Cemeteries are usually viewed with reservation.
Summary: Filled with helpful tips on how to plan, research and preserve information that can be found at cemeteries. This book describes different symbols, types and information about gravestones and their meanings. It also walks the reader through websites and online tools that can help a novice or experienced genealogist on their journey of discovering their family history.
Highlights: I loved seeing the different types of stones and the symbols with their meanings. I never considered that the type could tell you about the finances or social status of my ancestor. All the hints and tips about ways to search for information were helpful. As I was reading, I would open a browser and try them out on my tree. I have a few illusive ancestors and I tried using the tips to discover more about them. I still have not found their death dates but I have learned other little tidbits about their lives. I hope to continue to find more with time.
Lowlights: There was a lot of information that I was familiar with so it was a little slow going through that but at no fault of the author. I like that they walk the reader through the process of signing up and searching.
FYI: Perfect for any genealogist.
First line: Cemeteries are usually viewed with reservation.
Summary: Filled with helpful tips on how to plan, research and preserve information that can be found at cemeteries. This book describes different symbols, types and information about gravestones and their meanings. It also walks the reader through websites and online tools that can help a novice or experienced genealogist on their journey of discovering their family history.
Highlights: I loved seeing the different types of stones and the symbols with their meanings. I never considered that the type could tell you about the finances or social status of my ancestor. All the hints and tips about ways to search for information were helpful. As I was reading, I would open a browser and try them out on my tree. I have a few illusive ancestors and I tried using the tips to discover more about them. I still have not found their death dates but I have learned other little tidbits about their lives. I hope to continue to find more with time.
Lowlights: There was a lot of information that I was familiar with so it was a little slow going through that but at no fault of the author. I like that they walk the reader through the process of signing up and searching.
FYI: Perfect for any genealogist.
May 29, 2018
I learned a lot and would not mind having a copy of this for myself (borrowed this from my local library)!
There are MANY different types of cemeteries in this world and this book tells you how to go about locating your ancestors' graves, recording and preserving the information for each type. There is also a chapter for finding grave sites on the internet, and much, much more!
There are checklists, copies of forms, and screenshots of information provided throughout. At the end of the book is a chapter on "Preserving Cemeteries." Plus, you can find a list of resources at the very end, just before the index.
There are MANY different types of cemeteries in this world and this book tells you how to go about locating your ancestors' graves, recording and preserving the information for each type. There is also a chapter for finding grave sites on the internet, and much, much more!
There are checklists, copies of forms, and screenshots of information provided throughout. At the end of the book is a chapter on "Preserving Cemeteries." Plus, you can find a list of resources at the very end, just before the index.
November 15, 2017
Journalist Joy Neighbors turns her attention to cemeteries for this title. Neighbors provides rudimentary information on abbreviations and symbols often depicted on markers. She discusses the materials from which markers are made. She provides tips to prepare for a graveyard visit and for photographing stones. These tips include cautions about ways genealogists and others tried to make stones more legible in the past and their harmfulness. She included information on Billion Graves and Find A Grave. The book's organization did not work well for me. Some topics seemed to be treated in sections scattered throughout the book. She introduced topics and then said, "We'll talk about that later." It is unfortunate the book went to press when it did instead of waiting just a few more months. She included information on locating cemetery deeds and types of cemeteries as well. The content is already dated due to Find A Grave's web site redesign. She included multiple screenshots which bear little resemblance to what users are now seeing. A note about the pending redesign was included, and she mentioned the "beta" site was now available. It seems screen shots should have been captured from the beta rather than the "old" version. Sentences felt "choppy" to me. At times I felt the author was "talking down" to readers. In an effort to make her content fill more pages, the author added related content such as death certificates, funeral home records, and obituaries. However, she didn't stop there but went on to include a section on basic genealogical research with checklists. This information, while possibly helpful to a beginner, was unnecessary to meet the book's purpose and wastes paper and the consumer's money, since the purchaser pays for those extra pages. She omitted grave markers made from pottery in her discussion of marker types. These are popular in some parts of the South. They tend to break at the base, but they remain quite readable. Many of the checklists and forms in the book are useful to genealogists, but a similar form can usually be found freely available on the internet. While the book is useful to some beginning researchers, most intermediate and experienced researchers would be better served by purchasing Douglas Keister's Stories in Stones or Forever Dixie and picking up information on preservation and other topics via articles in Family Tree Magazine, Your Genealogy Today, or on a blog post. The publisher provided an electronic galley of the book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2017
An ARC from NetGalley
The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide is a step-by-step guide on how to track down your ancestors and the best ways to do so.
It is full of vital information to get the job done – and provides a lot of facts about cemeteries and the like along the way, including the types of graveyards, common symbols and their meanings as well as the type of stone used for some and what this could signify.
As someone who is very interested in finding ancestors and learning more about cemeteries, this was an insightful and informative read.
The book is quite U.S centric however, talking about U.S records, people, history etc and became a bit confusing to me (as an Australian.) Would be great if an international section were added to make up for the differences in culture and what different steps should be taken.
The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide is a step-by-step guide on how to track down your ancestors and the best ways to do so.
It is full of vital information to get the job done – and provides a lot of facts about cemeteries and the like along the way, including the types of graveyards, common symbols and their meanings as well as the type of stone used for some and what this could signify.
As someone who is very interested in finding ancestors and learning more about cemeteries, this was an insightful and informative read.
The book is quite U.S centric however, talking about U.S records, people, history etc and became a bit confusing to me (as an Australian.) Would be great if an international section were added to make up for the differences in culture and what different steps should be taken.
November 24, 2017
An excellent guide for the family historian or local historian. Any one who likes to walk through cemeteries can enjoy learning more about the symbols and history of the stones they are walking past. For anyone trying to research their family history, this provides good advice for how to approach cemetery offices, or city records and offers insight into the burial practices of the United States. As a Canadian who has gone through similar adventures trying to locate cemeteries and city officials, the steps are similar to what I experienced, but obviously slightly different. Reading this book may give you a new idea to pursue for your own research, or just give you an informative look at the history and symbols lying forgotten in your local area.
October 23, 2017
As a professional archivist and researcher for a quarter of a century I have never come across a book that is so comprehensive about an aspect of genealogical research. A good alternate title for this would be "Life from the Grave". Literally there is nothing outside of this book left to say about researching a graveyard for genealogical information.
This is not a dry and pedantic read either. It is an easy read with a lot of great anecdotal examples and pictures that illustrate the specific aspects that Joy Neighbors has so well articulated.
This is not a dry and pedantic read either. It is an easy read with a lot of great anecdotal examples and pictures that illustrate the specific aspects that Joy Neighbors has so well articulated.
December 1, 2017
A valuable resource, The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide: How to Find, Record, and Preserve Your Ancestor's Grave, will be a must have in your field bag. Easy to reference and filled with intelligent information the guide would make a wonderful gift for the genealogist in your life. Full Disclosure: I was allowed to read a copy of this book for free as a member of NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not influenced to give a positive review.
October 11, 2017
I received an ARC from Netgalley.
This book is a great tool to use for genealogy whether you are a beginning or an expert. There are no drawn out explanations about each topic. The author is very knowledgeable and gets straight to the point. The handouts and websites will come in handy. I've been an avid genealogist for quite awhile now and this book was a great refresher course for me.
This book is a great tool to use for genealogy whether you are a beginning or an expert. There are no drawn out explanations about each topic. The author is very knowledgeable and gets straight to the point. The handouts and websites will come in handy. I've been an avid genealogist for quite awhile now and this book was a great refresher course for me.
November 16, 2017
This book is not only great for learning about cemeteries. It's also a awesome introduction to genealogy. Neighbors includes genealogy forms and links to sites.
January 2, 2018
I'm pretty interested in cemeteries and history, so I was happy to get my hands on this book. It was a solid read- just a bit basic for my personal needs.
The book is divided into four main parts. Part One is planning your trip. It's sort of the 101 course of what you'll need to do and what you'll need to know on your expedition. Part two is researching on hallowed ground. It's how to read grave markers and tombstones, what the different symbols mean, etc. Part three is making sense of your research and delves into how to dig into all your data. Part four is digging deeper, and deals with things like records and preservation. There's also a final appendix, which includes worksheets and more records/information to help you organize better.
The book is a little scattered, and information can be a bit hard to find. The part divisions are more of guidelines than hard rules, and sometimes topics switch seemingly at random. It's a bit irritating.
It wasn't as dry as I was expecting to be. It's certainly more of a guide book and less of a text book. That said, in some spots the tone of the book was a bit condescending. Again, just mildly irritating.
This is probably a really good guide for people who have never done any genealogy before, or who are unfamiliar with cemeteries in general. But for those who already know a bit about it, it's a fair bit of information that you probably already know. It's a good basic start, but is not all encompassing (though I'm sure that'd be nearly impossible). There are icons and grave types, for example, that aren't mentioned. I was actually hoping to find more information about a specific style that's prevalent in my area, but no dice.
If you're new to this field of study, this is a great place to start. There's resources, worksheets, advice, and helpful tips. But if not, this book may have limited offerings for you.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The book is divided into four main parts. Part One is planning your trip. It's sort of the 101 course of what you'll need to do and what you'll need to know on your expedition. Part two is researching on hallowed ground. It's how to read grave markers and tombstones, what the different symbols mean, etc. Part three is making sense of your research and delves into how to dig into all your data. Part four is digging deeper, and deals with things like records and preservation. There's also a final appendix, which includes worksheets and more records/information to help you organize better.
The book is a little scattered, and information can be a bit hard to find. The part divisions are more of guidelines than hard rules, and sometimes topics switch seemingly at random. It's a bit irritating.
It wasn't as dry as I was expecting to be. It's certainly more of a guide book and less of a text book. That said, in some spots the tone of the book was a bit condescending. Again, just mildly irritating.
This is probably a really good guide for people who have never done any genealogy before, or who are unfamiliar with cemeteries in general. But for those who already know a bit about it, it's a fair bit of information that you probably already know. It's a good basic start, but is not all encompassing (though I'm sure that'd be nearly impossible). There are icons and grave types, for example, that aren't mentioned. I was actually hoping to find more information about a specific style that's prevalent in my area, but no dice.
If you're new to this field of study, this is a great place to start. There's resources, worksheets, advice, and helpful tips. But if not, this book may have limited offerings for you.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2024
One of the better, modern-ish cemetery research guides available (that I've found so far).
Another review left on an older cemetery research book I read this year mentioned that many of these guides become outdated even within the year that they are published. This book is not exempt from that critique. In my experience, this is usually due to the constant emergence of new/better research resources and the regular updates to the technologies that we use. This guide, overall, has withstood the test of time. Where you can expect to have to do further exploration on your own will be in utilizing some of the online resources, as the step-by-step visual guides are not quite how to navigate through the sites 7 years later.
Another review left on an older cemetery research book I read this year mentioned that many of these guides become outdated even within the year that they are published. This book is not exempt from that critique. In my experience, this is usually due to the constant emergence of new/better research resources and the regular updates to the technologies that we use. This guide, overall, has withstood the test of time. Where you can expect to have to do further exploration on your own will be in utilizing some of the online resources, as the step-by-step visual guides are not quite how to navigate through the sites 7 years later.
April 27, 2019
A very useful book full of hints, tips and information on how to use a research trip to the cemetery when you a tracking down your dead ancestors.
June 14, 2018
A nice guide for people interested in genealogy and tracing family history.
A very elementary guide to art.
A very elementary guide to art.
January 18, 2018
This title is great for beginners. However, it may be even more valuable for the “other resources” it suggests.
February 12, 2018
2018 book riot read harder challenge: a book of social science.
February 25, 2018
interesting and helpful. I can't wait to plan my next genealogy road trip.
July 15, 2022
This is one field guide I wouldn't really recommend for taphophiles or for genealogists. The information is nothing new and can easily be found in other sources both online and other books. I think it's just little things that the author wrote that really bugged me i this book. Like on a list of things for a cemetery trip were dousing rods for unmark graves. This one probably should have probably been discussed more to point out the stupidity of running around with sticks. If these stick did work (they don't) what can you really do about it after finding an unmark grave. If it is an old cemetery with no map, headstones, or records then finding this supposed grave is really pointless. I guess you can just pretend they are are your ancestors like people do with old family photos the younger generations likes selling. From dousing rods to an old tree the author claims drained tons of batteries while trying to photograph it.
Maybe this book would be better for beginners who haven't done a lot of research in cemeteries. Besides visiting a cemetery you can find this information online pretty easily. It may even be more helpful especially if your doing everything on your computer.
Maybe this book would be better for beginners who haven't done a lot of research in cemeteries. Besides visiting a cemetery you can find this information online pretty easily. It may even be more helpful especially if your doing everything on your computer.
December 7, 2023
A useful guide to researching in cemetery records and transcribing and interpreting information from tombstones. In addition, other records related to the death (and lives) of family are discussed. Although somewhat "old" in this tech world, the information on using apps from Find A Grave and Billion Graves to locate, photograph, upload photos/data, and volunteering to help others is quite helpful.
Near the end of the book there is more general research information about doing family history and preservation. Some templates, bibliography, and index add to the usefulness of the information.
My only downside of the work is that the font size is too small. Many genealogists tend to be older and the print is not aging- or sight impaired- friendly.
Near the end of the book there is more general research information about doing family history and preservation. Some templates, bibliography, and index add to the usefulness of the information.
My only downside of the work is that the font size is too small. Many genealogists tend to be older and the print is not aging- or sight impaired- friendly.
June 16, 2022
A very informative read for people researching their family history. It is a great book for beginners as well as experienced genealogists.
Contents:
Part 1
Planning Your Trip to the Cemetery
1-Why Cemeteries?
2-Cemetery Records Crash Course
3-Finding Your Ancestor's Graves
Part 2
Researching on Halloweed Ground
4- Cemetery Research Strategies
5- Reading Headstones
6- headstone Iconography Guide
Part 3
Making Sense of Your Research
7- Next Steps
8- Rcording Cemetery Date Online
Part 4
Digging Deeper
9- Other Records
10- Preserving Cemeteries
Appendix A: Worksheets
Appendix B: More Resources
Index
Contents:
Part 1
Planning Your Trip to the Cemetery
1-Why Cemeteries?
2-Cemetery Records Crash Course
3-Finding Your Ancestor's Graves
Part 2
Researching on Halloweed Ground
4- Cemetery Research Strategies
5- Reading Headstones
6- headstone Iconography Guide
Part 3
Making Sense of Your Research
7- Next Steps
8- Rcording Cemetery Date Online
Part 4
Digging Deeper
9- Other Records
10- Preserving Cemeteries
Appendix A: Worksheets
Appendix B: More Resources
Index
November 10, 2019
As someone who has been trying to find more details in my nearest ancestors (most especially, a grandmother who died way too young after childbirth) Ms. Neighbors provided more information than I knew in how to research outside the typical search engines. She even corrected something that I heard from a YouTuber about trying to read an unreadable tombstone. So, when visiting a cemetery and you can't read an old tombstone, DON'T use shaving cream to clean it up. That only hurts the structure of the marker.
Thanks, Ms. Neighbors.
Thanks, Ms. Neighbors.
August 29, 2021
I've always thought cemeteries were neat places to explore. The headstones just drip with stories that itch to be told. Joy Neighbors goes way beyond pondering the lives of the cemetery's occupants, but includes clues from what the headstones are made of, where to find archived information about the deceased, and how to appropriately record information from a grave marker. For anyone who considers themself a genealogy nerd, this book provides much needed information to up your game.
June 9, 2023
Five stars indicating it precisely fulfilled its promise. (It was published in 2018, so there are a few outdated references to online resources.)
Thorough, clear and concise.
I'm a longtime genealogy researcher and cemetery lover, so there was not a ton of new information here, but I'd highly recommend this to a newish researcher or even the experienced one looking to build a clean and simple reference library.
Thorough, clear and concise.
I'm a longtime genealogy researcher and cemetery lover, so there was not a ton of new information here, but I'd highly recommend this to a newish researcher or even the experienced one looking to build a clean and simple reference library.
February 24, 2019
3.5 stars.
A fair amount of useful and interesting info that was interspersed with specific instructions that I found to be unnecessary, like editing photos using a specific photo program that not everyone uses, or step by step instructions on how to search on a few very popular websites. I skipped those sections, making this a much shorter and less valuable read for me.
A fair amount of useful and interesting info that was interspersed with specific instructions that I found to be unnecessary, like editing photos using a specific photo program that not everyone uses, or step by step instructions on how to search on a few very popular websites. I skipped those sections, making this a much shorter and less valuable read for me.
September 20, 2019
Good cemetery guide
She gives information on cemetery records, gravestone symbols, cleaning gravestones, the sites Findagrave and Billion Graves, what to take to a cemetery, and more. Easy to read. Good reference book for genealogists. Includes sample worksheets.
She gives information on cemetery records, gravestone symbols, cleaning gravestones, the sites Findagrave and Billion Graves, what to take to a cemetery, and more. Easy to read. Good reference book for genealogists. Includes sample worksheets.
September 27, 2020
Now I read throughout most of the chapters for research. This is clear and concise language for even a beginner to understand. I borrowed this one from my local library but I will be looking into purchasing a copy for my collection to help me more in my research of my family.
November 22, 2021
A great overview of how cemetery records and cemeteries themselves can be useful in genealogy research. I really liked the historical background given to each type of cemetery, burial practices, and more throughout the book. Quite a good deep dive into this topic.
March 1, 2022
Every Taphophile or as the author says ~Tombstone Tourist~ should read this book. It's loaded with information on genealogy, cemetery preservation, tombstone deciphering, etiquette, researching your ancestors, etc. I loved how thorough this book is.
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March 8, 2021MUST BUY... A LOT OF INFORMATION...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews