I joined Find A Grave after I began getting serious about researching my family history. I started investigating a Civil War era New Testament given to my 2nd great-grandfather while he was serving with the Union. After a very long period of following bread crumbs, I found him in an unmarked grave in Illinois. This was confirmed for me by another Find A Grave volunteer who contacted the cemetery and visited to confirm it was my ancestor. I then started volunteering to take photos as a way to give back and help others.

I joined Find A Grave after I began getting serious about researching my family history. I started investigating a Civil War era New Testament given to my 2nd great-grandfather while he was serving with the Union. After a very long period of following bread crumbs, I found him in an unmarked grave in Illinois. This was confirmed for me by another Find A Grave volunteer who contacted the cemetery and visited to confirm it was my ancestor. I then started volunteering to take photos as a way to give back and help others.