My interest in family history began as a small child, visiting the homes of relatives. I was fortunate to have grandparents and great grandparents still living, and willing to share stories. Our family regularly visited relatives around Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and the state of Washington. One grandmother I visited is part Potawatomi, another is a Boone descendant, and one of my grandfathers is an Emerson. Already an avid reader, these historical references sent me often to the library for more information about the lives of the families, and how I might be connected.

In high school, I was assigned a genealogy project, and instructed to begin by contacting relatives. Several contributed their own research. (This was before computers, so it was all handwritten on paper). I have been working on my family history ever since.

I am not here to judge anyone.

If you choose to manage 10 or 1,000 or 10,000 or 100,000 memorials, I appreciate your contribution to Findagrave.

If you choose one cemetery to walk and photograph and manage, I appreciate your contribution to Findagrave.

If you cannot get out to walk a cemetery, and choose to manage memorials of your family members, including distant family members, I appreciate your contribution to Findagrave.

I don't think we all have to "do" Findagrave the same way in order for Findagrave to be successful. We just need to be respectful and work together within the Findagrave guidelines.

I am trying to learn and follow those guidelines. If one of the memorials I manage needs to be corrected, please send the information through the edit button on the memorial. I sometimes ask for documentation to be submitted if I can't confirm your edit or it is different from the information I already have.

In regards to my profile name being Anonymous, Findagrave offers it as an option. If you want to know why it is offered as an option, send your questions to [email protected].

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I have found the following resources to be helpful.

When researching family with German names:

http://www.kerchner.com/germname.htm

This link is for the International List of Causes of Death (ICD), which contains a description of all known diseases and injuries. Each disease is given a code number and is listed with its diagnostic characteristics. These codes are listed on death certificates after 1898:

http://www.wolfbane.com/icd/index.html

When recording names of ships:

"Proper names of ships and other vessels should be italicized just as titles are. Keep in mind that although ship (or vessel) names should appear in italics, prefixes such as U.S.S. or H.M.S. should not.

These rules can be applied to the names of specific spacecraft, aircraft, and (according to some style guides) trains as well. However, you don't need to italicize brand names like Boeing or Amtrak." -Grammarly

When requesting name changes for memorials:

Memorial Naming Conventions: Non-famous Memorials

If a hyphen or an apostrophe is part of the name, use the punctuation. A period should be used after an abbreviated name, for example a middle initial. If the full name is known, use the full name and not the initial. Suffixes, Prefixes, Titles, or honorary do not belong in any Name Field. If other possible spellings were used for any part of the name, you can place this information in the bio. Our Memorial Search can search for similar name spellings by checking that box under 'more search options.'

To add a Prefix or Suffix, check the box under the name fields. Choose from the dropdown menus. There is also an option to type in the Prefix at the top of the Prefix menu.

First Name

First name of the deceased. Put the entire first name (if known), even if the grave marker is only an initial. Do not include titles or other prefixes in the First Name field.

Middle Name

Middle name of deceased. Put the entire middle name (if known), even if the grave marker is only an initial. If there are multiple middle names, add them in this same field.

Nickname

Familiar name of the deceased, if known. The nickname will be automatically placed in quotes. A nickname is different from the real name (first or middle). It is possible that a nickname could include multiple names, as long as the individual used those as a familiar name. 

Maiden Name

Maiden name of a married individual, if known (otherwise leave blank); the maiden name is automatically italicized and traditionally is used if the individual was married and took the spouse's last name as their new last name. If the deceased was never married, then the last name is placed in the Last Name field, NOT in the Maiden Name field.

Last Name

Last Name as you would find it on the tombstone. If the interred had more than one last name, they may be added to the last name field. Separate each last name with a space. Do not include honorary or other suffixes in the Last Name field.

Memorial Naming Conventions: Famous Memorials

Famous entries are to be listed under the name by which the person became well-known. For example, Archibald Leach is listed under his well-known name Cary Grant.

Can I add multiple names to the first name field?

Most often a memorial will have one name in the first name field. However, there are people who use more than one name as their first name. If it is known that the individual had two first names (e.g. Julie Ann), add both names to the first name field. If an individual had a religious name or other authorized first name, that additional name can be added to the first name field. Our search will look for any names in the field.

How do I enter all married names for a woman's memorial when she was married more than once?

Include the last name on the headstone. Other married names can be included in the last name field as all surnames are searchable in Memorial Search. The 'maiden name' is only for the maiden name.

When a person is buried with one spouse and other married surnames are not on the headstone, can I add the other married surnames to the last name field?

Our Memorial Search will search all surnames in the last name field. Yes, you can add all married surnames in the surname field.

How should I add an infant with an unknown name?

Most often you would use what is inscribed on the headstone (or other record) for the first name field, such as Infant or Baby Boy along with the surname in the last name field. The prefix field is not an appropriate use for this purpose. You can add other descriptive text to distinguish one infant from another in the same family, such as 'Infant Boy Jensen' and 'Infant Boy 2 Jensen.' If the surname cannot be found, the word Unknown can be used in place of the surname.

When parents are named on the headstone or other record, such as Infant of Mark and Mary Jensen, Mark and Mary Jensen should be added to the biography and/or the family links and the memorial added as Infant Jensen. If you think the parents listed on the stone could reasonably be alive, it's best not to add their names to the memorial.

Can I add family relationships in the prefix field, such as Uncle(prefix) Mark Jensen, when it is not listed on the headstone?

No, this wouldn't be appropriate as he is an uncle to you but not an uncle to others who are viewing the memorial. The relationship to the manager can be mentioned in the biography, if that is desired.

Learn more at Memorial Information.