I've been at this for a some time now and find it fascinating just how much the funeral records let alone the older grave stones can tell you. If they are old enough there is quite a bit of information including the Woman's maiden name. Amazing how we no longer include this information today. I enjoy going out when I can but with Gas Prices around here being above $4/gal it hasn't been too often. I'm trying to stick closer to home and do the ones within 5-7 or so miles.

Let me give you some tips to make it easier for All the Photo Volunteers. If you know the cemetery your request is buried in then contact that cemetery and get the Plot information. Check the website for the cemetery to see if you can put in a request via email. Many of the cemeteries here are online. New York tends to be VERY picky about giving the volunteers some of the information and in some cases will charge up to $30 for a list of names. So waiting until I have a list (what I normally do) then going in and asking is a nightmare at many of the cemeteries, and that's putting it mildly. I have been turned down. I have been outright told no dice. Many times I just wander hoping I can find something. But here's the thing, many of these cemeteries are gigantic. Not small plots of land but acres of land with thousands of grave stones and crypts, let alone the memorial walls and mausoleums. So I'm sure you can see my point--it's not an easy job to photograph a single stone a midst thousands of stones.

Tip 1: Get Grave Plot Information from the Cemetery on all names you wish to have photographed. You might be able to glean other information some of the cemetery records also indicate cause of death and other family members.

Tip 2: If the requests are related, say husband and wife make sure to link those requests so that when we go to upload photos it is much easier, for us and you. If you don't know how check out the Help area it gives great directions on linking family members.

Tip 3: Check the Westchester Historical Cemetery Index to see if the cemetery still exists. With the developments around here the cemetery may have been relocated into another cemetery or it just may not exist any longer. Go check this website for the historical cemeteries. http://collections.westchestergov.com:2009/wcacustom/WestchesterCountyCemeteryIndex.pdf

Tip 4: Check out the cemetery records page for Westchester and see if the cemetery is listed and get the information to call or email them for information. http://newyork.hometownlocator.com/features/cultural,class,cemetery,scfips,36119.cfm

I hope this has helped you. I will continue to do this in my spare time. Have a great day!

I've been at this for a some time now and find it fascinating just how much the funeral records let alone the older grave stones can tell you. If they are old enough there is quite a bit of information including the Woman's maiden name. Amazing how we no longer include this information today. I enjoy going out when I can but with Gas Prices around here being above $4/gal it hasn't been too often. I'm trying to stick closer to home and do the ones within 5-7 or so miles.

Let me give you some tips to make it easier for All the Photo Volunteers. If you know the cemetery your request is buried in then contact that cemetery and get the Plot information. Check the website for the cemetery to see if you can put in a request via email. Many of the cemeteries here are online. New York tends to be VERY picky about giving the volunteers some of the information and in some cases will charge up to $30 for a list of names. So waiting until I have a list (what I normally do) then going in and asking is a nightmare at many of the cemeteries, and that's putting it mildly. I have been turned down. I have been outright told no dice. Many times I just wander hoping I can find something. But here's the thing, many of these cemeteries are gigantic. Not small plots of land but acres of land with thousands of grave stones and crypts, let alone the memorial walls and mausoleums. So I'm sure you can see my point--it's not an easy job to photograph a single stone a midst thousands of stones.

Tip 1: Get Grave Plot Information from the Cemetery on all names you wish to have photographed. You might be able to glean other information some of the cemetery records also indicate cause of death and other family members.

Tip 2: If the requests are related, say husband and wife make sure to link those requests so that when we go to upload photos it is much easier, for us and you. If you don't know how check out the Help area it gives great directions on linking family members.

Tip 3: Check the Westchester Historical Cemetery Index to see if the cemetery still exists. With the developments around here the cemetery may have been relocated into another cemetery or it just may not exist any longer. Go check this website for the historical cemeteries. http://collections.westchestergov.com:2009/wcacustom/WestchesterCountyCemeteryIndex.pdf

Tip 4: Check out the cemetery records page for Westchester and see if the cemetery is listed and get the information to call or email them for information. http://newyork.hometownlocator.com/features/cultural,class,cemetery,scfips,36119.cfm

I hope this has helped you. I will continue to do this in my spare time. Have a great day!