The highlight of any trip to the cemetery is reading the stones. Once you have taken that irresistible quick peek for your ancestor's headstone, however, you should stop and plan out your route around the cemetery. Methodical might be boring, but it greatly decreases your chances of missing something important

If the cemetery is not too large, and you have enough time, it can be very helpful to make a complete transcription of the cemetery. Even if you only make note of the names and dates on each tombstone, along with their location in the cemetery, this can save you a trip back in the future as well as help other researchers.

There is a lot of information and advice available on the proper methods for transcribing tombstones. While these can serve as great reference guides, there is really no need to worry about formality. The important thing is to make a note of everything that you see.

Write down names, dates and inscriptions exactly as they appear on the stone. It is very easy to make assumptions in the excitement of the moment, and it will be very beneficial to have an accurate record as you move forward (or backward as the case may be) with your research.

Be sure to sketch any symbols that you are unfamiliar with so that you can look them up later. These symbols or emblems may be valuable clues to membership in an organization which may have records about your ancestor.

Make a note of the relationship between tombstones as well. Family members will often be buried together in the same plot. Nearby graves may belong to parents. Small unmarked stones may indicate children that died in their infancy. Neighbors and relatives may also be buried in adjoining sections.

As you make your way around, be sure not to miss the back of the stones as they can also contain important information.

Another good way to record cemetery information is to use a cassette recorder or even a video camera as you move around the cemetery. You can read off names, dates and inscriptions easily and make note of important information, such as when you start a new row. It also provides you with a backup for any written transcriptions that you have made.

Pictures are worth a thousand words and are much better for tombstones than chalk or shaving cream. Use hand-held clippers to clear brush away from the stone and then use a nylon (never wire) bristle brush and plain water to clean the stone from bottom to top, rinsing well as you go. A bright sunny day and a mirror to help reflect the sunlight on the stone can really help to bring out the carvings.

Enjoy yourself! Visiting cemeteries is one of the most rewarding parts of genealogy research, so stop and take the time to commune with your ancestors.

site: http://genealogy.about.com

Author: Kim Powell

Kimberly's interest in genealogy began over 20 years ago with a school project and has developed into a passion. She is a proud member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors, and several local genealogical societies. Her special area of expertise is breaking down proverbial brick walls.

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Family research is engrossing, gripping; interesting, intriguing; and exciting. This is one hobby that has the power to provoke in us to the need to know more and more about our ancestors and their lives. For many, it becomes almost an obsession.

Why? Perhaps it is because it is the only chance we ever have to truly become detectives. We can search out the secrets and passions of our ancestors and perhaps learn more about ourselves in the process. That in itself is an intriguing prospect.

The research involved in genealogy eventually leads to cemetery visits and tombstone reading. What was once considered a morbid pastime has become a normal part of the investigative process for the family history researcher. Cemeteries tell us so much about our ancestors.

Much information can be gleaned from the words carved on the headstones. We can learn a great deal from the placement of a grave within the cemetery itself concerning family relationships.

As more and more researchers venture into cemeteries to seek out ancestral graves, more and more questions arise about the meanings of the artwork and symbols found on the tombstones.

The researcher wants to know what a symbol might mean and if the meaning of the symbol might provide more clues about this ancestor and his life, his ideals, his associations, and so on.

Can reading and understanding these symbols help us gauge and unravel some quintessential element of this ancestor's life?

The task of interpreting the symbols on a tombstone is a daunting one. Though most symbols that you will see engraved on a stone DO have a textbook meaning, it is quite possible that the particular item you find engraved on the tombstone was put there simply because someone liked the look of it.

Therefore, it will have no meaning beyond the taste of the deceased (if the request of what was to be on his stone was made by him), or the taste of the mourners left behind to choose the stone's appearance.

The point is, many people who choose grave motifs have no idea that the ornamentation they select has meaning.. What they know is that they like the design and feel it is just somehow "right".

Symbols can express ethnic identity, religious affiliation, association membership, or simply the predilection of the time or of the community.

A symbol that was commonly used in one area to mean something specific might mean something completely different in another part of the country or the world or in a different era of time.

Therefore, it is important to understand the history of the area or of the time. Yes, it is complicated. The human being is by nature a creative creature.

We can, and do, give our own meanings to objects and ideas and in doing so, create something with a meaning that conveys what we wish it to convey.

The point of view of the person designing the monument cannot be known to us, and therein lies the major problem in attempting to interpret a symbol, character, design, device, figure, motif, or pattern on a tombstone. The true representation intended might never be known.

By all means, look at the engravings and the other artwork on the stone. Cemetery art is art, in the truest sense of the word.

The stone cutter was an artist and some of the sculpture found in cemeteries is as beautiful to view as that found in the finest museums.

You might be able to interpret the meaning of the symbol or the artwork, or you may not.

Either way, you will enjoy the inherent beauty and workmanship involved in carving these intricate designs. Read up on the language of symbolism as a help.

*You can find a good one on the City of Silent site at http://www.alsirat.com/symbols/glossary.html

Religious:

Angels - Angels mean spirituality and they guard the tomb.

Bible - A single Holy Bible is often found on Christian stones.

Holy Books (2) - on Mormon headstones indicates the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Holy Books (3) - on Mormon Headstones, these indicate The Scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine & Covenants.

Chalice - Usually used to represent the Sacraments.

Crescent - the deceased was probably a Muslim.

Crown - The soul's achievement and the Glory of life after death.

Cross - the Cross is an emblem of faith. There are many different types of crosses and each may mean something different.

*For a good explanation of the various types of crosses, see http://www.alsirat.com/symbols/cross.html , a part of The City of the Silent.

Heart (Sacred) - Usually found in Catholic cemeteries, this heart refers to the suffering of Christ for our sins.

Menorah - An emblem of Judaism

Star of David or Mogen David - Recognized as the international symbol of Judaism.

Mortality:

Arrow - Mortality

Broken Column - This image represents the decay. It usually represents the loss of the Family head.

Candle being Snuffed - Loss of life.

Coffin - mortality.

Figure with Dart - Mortality

Grim Reaper - Death personified.

Hourglass - Time has run out.

Scythe - An instrument of the harvest, death cuts us down.

Skull and or Skull/ Crossed Bones - Death.

Spade or Crossed Spade and Shovel - Death

Trade and Occupation: (emblems that MIGHT indicate a person's occupation in life)

Barber Bowl (for bleeding) & Razor.

Butcher - an Axe, steel knife and cleaver.

Farmer - Coulter (type of hoe), flail (threshing implement), swingletree (rod for beating flax), stalk of corn.

Gardener - Rake & Spade.

Mason - Wedge & Level

Mariner - Anchor, Sextant & Cross Staff.

Merchant - Scales, some type of sign.

Minister - Bible

Shoemaker - Leather cutter's Knife, Nippers, Sole cutter & Awl

Smith - Crown, Hammer & Anvil

Teacher - Open Book.

Weaver - Loom, Shuttle & Stretchers.

Wright - a worker skilled in the manufacture especially of wooden objects --usually used in combination - Compasses

Resurrection, Eternal Life, Immortality:

Angel, Flying or Trumpeting - Rebirth; Resurrection.

Bird or Bird Flying - Eternal life, Resurrection.

Cross - The Cross means resurrection to many Christians.

Dove, Flying - Resurrection.

Flame, Light, Lamp or Torch - Immortality of the Spirit, Resurrection.

Garland or Wreath - Symbol of saintliness and glory, Victory in death.

Horns -- The Resurrection

Ivy - Immortality

Rooster- Awakening; Resurrection.

Star - Death could not overpower the Light of the Spirit which still shines in the darkness.

Sun - A symbol of light and warmth, renewed life and life everlasting.

Trumpeters -- Harbingers of the Resurrection

Urn - Immortality (The storing of the vital organs was of extreme importance to the ancient Egyptians who believed that life would be restored through the vital organs placed in the urn).

Animals:

Birds - Eternal life or resurrection.

Butterfly - Short life.

Dog - Implies a good master worthy of love.

Dove - Seen in both Christian and Jewish cemeteries, the dove means innocence and/ or peace.

Lamb - Usually marks the grave of a child and means Innocence.

Lion - The Lion's eternal watch guards the tomb and stands for Courage.

Rooster - Awakening; Resurrection.

Plants:

Fruits -- Eternal plenty as in the fruit of life.

Full-Blown Rose - The deceased died in the prime of life

Ivy -- Ivy stands for friendship and also immortality.

Laurel -- A symbol of worldly accomplishment and heroism.

Lily - The virgins' flower and also the symbol of innocence and purity.

Morning Glory - Signifies the beginning of Life

Oak - Oak Leaves and Acorn - Oak leaves on tombs can stand for power, authority or victory. Often seen on Military tombs.

Palm Branch - Signifies Victory and Rejoicing

Poppy - Eternal Sleep.

Roses - Roses signify completion and the brevity of earthly existence.

Rosemary - Rosemary is for remembrance. Thistles can also stand for remembrance.

Thistle - Deceased was of Scottish descent.

Tree or Trees:

A Tree stands for life.

A Tree Sprouting stands for life everlasting.

Tree Trunk stands for the brevity of life.

Stones shaped liked Tree Stumps usually signify that the deceased was a member of The Woodmen of the World.

Weeping Willow Tree - Perpetual Mourning; Grief.

Wheat Strands or Sheaves - The divine harvest.

Miscellaneous:

Broken Ring -- The family circle has been severed.

Cherub - Cherubs are angelic and signify innocence.

Crossed Swords - Military person of high rank.

Hands:

Hands in cemeteries are usually in one of the following four positions; clasping, praying, pointing, and blessing.

Hand, Pointing Up - Pathway to heaven.

Hands, Clasped - Farewells or the bond of marriage.

Hands, Praying - Asking God for Eternal life.

Hands, Blessing - Blessing of those left behind.

Harp - Praise to the God.

Heart - Love. Stylized hearts stand for the affection of the living for the dead. Two joined hearts on a stone mark a marriage,

Rod or Staff - Comfort for the bereaved.

Stars and Stripes Around Eagle -- Eternal vigilance and liberty. Often seen on military markers.

Urn with Flame -- Undying remembrance

Author's bio: Pam was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. She has been a resident of Prince William County, Virginia for 23 years.

This article on Tombstone Symbols was in the October issue of Ancestry Magazine, 2000

Many Libraries have a list of cemeteries in the area you are researching and if they don't then the local land deed or property addressing office can help in locating many cemeteries. Also many libraries have cemetery books so that you could find people before going to the cemetery.