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Digging Up Burial Records
Burial records are often neglected documents when someone is researching
somebody or his/her own family tree. Don’t make the same mistake. Look up burial
records and you’ll be amazed at how much you will learn.
Burial records can be tough to trace. Registers of burials are stored in a
variety of locations. There is no one comprehensive index holding them together.
These records are more seldom used compared to marriage and baptism records. But
records of burials also have much to reveal. Besides letting people know what
really happened to their ancestors, they could also tell them of immigrant
ancestors' birthplaces.
Burial registers can give names of surviving spouses or parents of deceased
relatives. They could also be reliable sources of other leads to pursue. For
instance, if it says “killed”, you can look at local newspapers for further
details. If it says “widowed”, then you know that the spouse is dead and know to
look for another death record. A lot of churches originally kept records of
burials rather than deaths, and a few still do.
A Look at Burial Records
When you're not able to find your ancestors' death certificates, burial records
in cemeteries are the next best thing. Cemeteries can provide a wealth of
information. Sometimes records of burials will include all or nearly all of the
facts listed on death certificates, sometimes more.
Whether you got the death certificate or not, a visit to the cemetery where your
ancestor is buried might be the only remaining tangible proof to tell of his
existence. Upon arriving at the cemetery, your first stop is the cemetery
office. Majority of cemeteries have a cemetery map, enabling easy location of
gravesites. The records you should inquire about and obtain copies of are the
following:
• Burial Permit records – Burials have been regulated since the early 1920s.
Burials were usually only allowed by licensed or certified morticians who had
secured permits. These permits can point people to the location of the death
certificate and the funeral home.
• Cemetery deeds – Families will usually purchase several plots for members of
the family. Who the owner is and who are buried in the plots will provide ready
clues that will be useful for doing further research. People who weren't buried
in the graves they purchased provide room for the possibility of the deceased's
move to another location and lead to uncovering stories behind the relocation.
• Burial registers – The burials are oftentimes recorded in a chronological
manner. These will sometimes include additional information like dates of birth
and death, the deceased's age, names of other relatives. Such records could also
include the location of the grave or burial plot.
When searching for ancestors' gravesites, always note their location with
respect to other graves. Take pictures and record whatever useful marker symbols
or information you come across. When you're done looking at burial records and
are ready to leave the cemetery, you'll likely find yourself armed with more
information for further family history research.
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