I became a more active volunteer when Covid hit. I was home from work for 3 months, when I returned it was only a couple of weeks a month.
I had completed all of my household projects and needed something to do. I figured I could get some exercise and do a good deed at the same time.
The cemeteries I usually went to were all caught up, so I expanded my search to the larger cemeteries in the town I grew up in.
I discovered the Jewish cemeteries had huge amounts of photo requests, some going back 5 years. I quickly learned why, the Jewish cemeteries are laid out completely different then the Catholic cemeteries, I am Catholic. I almost gave up after my first day, but I was determined to figure out how the Jewish cemeteries worked, I succeeded and have now become a master of them!!
I've become friends with some of the people I have helped and in turn they have explained to me the importance of the Hebrew lettering on the headstones. I make sure I capture the lettering in all of my photos, which can be difficult with the hedges, (some are unattended to).
I've also learned, it is better to take photos of all of the headstones within a family plot, why make additional trips. If there is no memorial, I create one, and will gladly give over control to a family member.
My trips to the cemeteries have lessened, because I'm back to work full-time. I go when I can and I usually fulfill 50 photo requests with each trip.
I truly enjoy helping people find their loved ones :-)

I became a more active volunteer when Covid hit. I was home from work for 3 months, when I returned it was only a couple of weeks a month.
I had completed all of my household projects and needed something to do. I figured I could get some exercise and do a good deed at the same time.
The cemeteries I usually went to were all caught up, so I expanded my search to the larger cemeteries in the town I grew up in.
I discovered the Jewish cemeteries had huge amounts of photo requests, some going back 5 years. I quickly learned why, the Jewish cemeteries are laid out completely different then the Catholic cemeteries, I am Catholic. I almost gave up after my first day, but I was determined to figure out how the Jewish cemeteries worked, I succeeded and have now become a master of them!!
I've become friends with some of the people I have helped and in turn they have explained to me the importance of the Hebrew lettering on the headstones. I make sure I capture the lettering in all of my photos, which can be difficult with the hedges, (some are unattended to).
I've also learned, it is better to take photos of all of the headstones within a family plot, why make additional trips. If there is no memorial, I create one, and will gladly give over control to a family member.
My trips to the cemeteries have lessened, because I'm back to work full-time. I go when I can and I usually fulfill 50 photo requests with each trip.
I truly enjoy helping people find their loved ones :-)