Much gratitude to those who've been here long before me, and those who continue to research, document, assist and share knowledge.

Documenting graveyards and stones/markers with pictures and complete information/transcription is so important before they are lost to the ravages of time, nature and unfortunately, vandals.

With that said, it is also important to document and add area pictures of known unmarked graves. As someone said to me, this is Findagrave, not Findastone. Many times markers have disappeared or never existed. I still appreciate a picture of where the person was laid to rest, perhaps including in the photo who they're buried by, even when a marker does not exist.

When markers do exist, pictures of the area, not only a cropped stone photo are great too, it's nice to be able to have a sense of what the setting is like, and again, who they're buried near.

**People, please stop typing everything in all CAPS! Especially in memorial bios, it's painful to read and unprofessional looking.

Regarding the Inscription field... I like to include the entire inscription on the stone in the Inscription field. This stone is the final picture of a person, and I think it appropriate the entire inscription that was chosen for the person's marker be documented verbatim. Findagrave amended their stance on this field in an update to state that any of the info from the marker may be included in the inscription field, and also added that there are times when adding the entire inscription may be advantageous, including "... We encourage the addition of the inscription to the inscription field as the inscription from the stone is then accessible for all site users." Some visually impaired users use special software to use the site, but that software does not read what's in a picture of a gravestone. If the entire inscription is entered in the inscription field, the user can get a complete "picture" of exactly what the grave marker has been inscribed with.

And from another user,

"Inscriptions VS Epitaphs ...Please note that an epitaph is the short phrase on the tombstone such as "Always Remembered" or "In God's Hands" It is PART of the inscription. The inscription includes EVERYTHING written on the tombstone, including all the names, dates and the epitaph." Thank you Steve.

I realize not everyone cares to take the time to type the entire inscription, but if it's submitted as an edit, the work is done for you. Please accept it.

If you find memorials I manage that you wish to care for, please just ask using the edit/transfer request process. I will transfer them to you if you have a closer relationship than I.

I have adopted memorials that were being managed by Findagrave in an effort to research and connect their family members. I'm not related to most of them, so if you're interested in managing someone, please just ask, including what your relationship or interest to that person may be.

Last but not least,

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others, and if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." Dalai Lama

Please be kind.... and be kind especially to those who are unkind, they need it the most.