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Your Guide to Cemetery Research
Your Guide to Cemetery Research is a comprehensive, in-depth resource that's perfect for genealogists, researchers and historians. It covers everything from cemetery and death-related terminology to clues offered by headstone art, and cemeteries' role in our culture and history.
This guide also examines the funeral customs of various ethnic groups and includes a social history of death that reveals both the usual and unusual ways in which readers' ancestors coped with and celebrated death.
263 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2002
3 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
35 books11 followersSharon DeBartolo Carmack has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing and postgraduate coursework in American History. She is a thirty-five-year veteran Certified Genealogist®, Retired (2024).
Sharon is the best-selling author of twenty-nine books, including Madame Restell: The True Story of New City’s Most Notorious Abortionist, Her Early Life, Family, and Murder; In Search of Maria B. Hayden: The American Medium Who Brought Spiritualism to the U.K.; and If We Can Winter This: Essays and Genealogies: The Gordon Family of County Leitrim, Ireland, and The Norris Family of County Tyrone, (now) Northern Ireland.
A few of her guidebooks include Telling Her Story: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Women of the Past; Tell It Short: A Guide to Writing Your Family History in Brief, 2nd ed., and You Can Write Your Family History. Sharon is part of the English adjunct faculty for Southern New Hampshire University and the genealogy faculty for Salt Lake Community College.
Sharon is the best-selling author of twenty-nine books, including Madame Restell: The True Story of New City’s Most Notorious Abortionist, Her Early Life, Family, and Murder; In Search of Maria B. Hayden: The American Medium Who Brought Spiritualism to the U.K.; and If We Can Winter This: Essays and Genealogies: The Gordon Family of County Leitrim, Ireland, and The Norris Family of County Tyrone, (now) Northern Ireland.
A few of her guidebooks include Telling Her Story: A Guide to Researching and Writing about Women of the Past; Tell It Short: A Guide to Writing Your Family History in Brief, 2nd ed., and You Can Write Your Family History. Sharon is part of the English adjunct faculty for Southern New Hampshire University and the genealogy faculty for Salt Lake Community College.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 5, 2025
The information about finding cemeteries, their records, and analyzing them is helpful. The explanations about other places to look for information on deaths and related areas can also be very useful. Carmack's writing style is easy to understand and I like her use of case studies and examples, including the illustrations.
The negative side of this coin is that this was written in 2002 and much has changed in the computer and genealogy world since. Many more sources are not only available, but are searchable online. But this title will still lead researchers to search for the current locations of the discussed sources, so can be used with that caveat. I believe those searching their family history with a variety of skill levels will find this useful, even if only a reminder...
The negative side of this coin is that this was written in 2002 and much has changed in the computer and genealogy world since. Many more sources are not only available, but are searchable online. But this title will still lead researchers to search for the current locations of the discussed sources, so can be used with that caveat. I believe those searching their family history with a variety of skill levels will find this useful, even if only a reminder...
August 12, 2024
Full of really great information and launching points if you are interested in local and family history research, attitudes towards death over time, funeral and burial customs across cultures, or cemetery preservation/restoration projects.
As to be expected from a resource published over two decades ago, quite a few of the recommended resources within can no longer be found (or, at least, not easily). While you will learn a lot from this guide, expect to expand your research on the subject further after reading.
As to be expected from a resource published over two decades ago, quite a few of the recommended resources within can no longer be found (or, at least, not easily). While you will learn a lot from this guide, expect to expand your research on the subject further after reading.
September 27, 2020
It is a great resource however it is outdated. I have been adding details to my copy of things that are better/best practice.
October 14, 2013
Great Guide for Genealogists & Graveyard Enthusiasts Alike!
Let me begin by saying that I'm by no means a genealogist (not even an amateur genealogist!). In fact, I'm not even all that interested in my family's history. Rather, I'm just someone who loves snooping around cemeteries, the older and more obscure, the better. This is the first genealogy/cemetery research book I've read, so I can't really compare it to any others.
That said..."Your Guide to Cemetery Research" is a valuable tool for genealogists and graveyard enthusiasts alike. Sharon DeBartolo Carmack begins by explaining how to locate your ancestor's vital records, including death certificates, obituaries, death notices, wills and probate, prayer and memorial cards, and mortality schedules. She then illustrates how you can use this information to find out where your ancestors are buried (and also tells you how to go about locating the cemetery itself). She describes the different types of cemeteries, as well as what sort of records they may have kept. The reader will also learn how to search a cemetery for the desired grave or plot, and how to read, record, and interpret the information on and around the marker. Especially interesting is her discussion on how the aggregate information in the graveyard can give you a picture of what the community was like when your ancestors were alive.
DeBartolo Carmack provides tons of helpful, hands-on, how-to advice for use inside the graveyard. She explains how to make a rubbing or cast of the tombstone, and offers ideas for different types of crafts to get the whole family interested (reunions in cemeteries, cemetery scrapbooks, and cemetery quilts, to name but a few). Her section on photographing markers and tombstones is particularly enlightening. Additionally, she offers tips for those wishing to undertake cemetery preservation or transcription projects.
She includes a few chapters on funerary customs throughout time and across cultures as well, but I thought these chapters were the weakest; they struck me as somewhat superficial and out-of-place. Then again, funerary customs is a topic I've done extensive research on; maybe newbies will find it more helpful or informative.
Perhaps my favorite part of "Your Guide to Cemetery Research" are the appendices, which include a lengthy list of gravestone artwork/symbols and their meanings; a time line of deadly epidemics and disasters in the U.S.; and a sample cemetery transcription form. The next time I go strolling through a graveyard, I'll be sure to have this guide in tow. It increased my understanding and appreciation of graveyard art exponentially. Instead of just admiring the aesthetic aspects of the markers, now I can use "Your Guide to Cemetery Research" to interpret the inscriptions and artwork. ["What's that over there? A child's headstone, with a lamb lying down? Let's see, we're in New Orleans, and the death date is 1878, so perhaps the baby died of yellow fever!"]
Above all else, it's reassuring to find that I'm not alone in my cemetery addiction. DeBartolo Carmack takes her family along on graveyard picnics, so I guess my fiancé doesn't have it all THAT bad!
http://www.easyvegan.info/2005/06/15/...
Let me begin by saying that I'm by no means a genealogist (not even an amateur genealogist!). In fact, I'm not even all that interested in my family's history. Rather, I'm just someone who loves snooping around cemeteries, the older and more obscure, the better. This is the first genealogy/cemetery research book I've read, so I can't really compare it to any others.
That said..."Your Guide to Cemetery Research" is a valuable tool for genealogists and graveyard enthusiasts alike. Sharon DeBartolo Carmack begins by explaining how to locate your ancestor's vital records, including death certificates, obituaries, death notices, wills and probate, prayer and memorial cards, and mortality schedules. She then illustrates how you can use this information to find out where your ancestors are buried (and also tells you how to go about locating the cemetery itself). She describes the different types of cemeteries, as well as what sort of records they may have kept. The reader will also learn how to search a cemetery for the desired grave or plot, and how to read, record, and interpret the information on and around the marker. Especially interesting is her discussion on how the aggregate information in the graveyard can give you a picture of what the community was like when your ancestors were alive.
DeBartolo Carmack provides tons of helpful, hands-on, how-to advice for use inside the graveyard. She explains how to make a rubbing or cast of the tombstone, and offers ideas for different types of crafts to get the whole family interested (reunions in cemeteries, cemetery scrapbooks, and cemetery quilts, to name but a few). Her section on photographing markers and tombstones is particularly enlightening. Additionally, she offers tips for those wishing to undertake cemetery preservation or transcription projects.
She includes a few chapters on funerary customs throughout time and across cultures as well, but I thought these chapters were the weakest; they struck me as somewhat superficial and out-of-place. Then again, funerary customs is a topic I've done extensive research on; maybe newbies will find it more helpful or informative.
Perhaps my favorite part of "Your Guide to Cemetery Research" are the appendices, which include a lengthy list of gravestone artwork/symbols and their meanings; a time line of deadly epidemics and disasters in the U.S.; and a sample cemetery transcription form. The next time I go strolling through a graveyard, I'll be sure to have this guide in tow. It increased my understanding and appreciation of graveyard art exponentially. Instead of just admiring the aesthetic aspects of the markers, now I can use "Your Guide to Cemetery Research" to interpret the inscriptions and artwork. ["What's that over there? A child's headstone, with a lamb lying down? Let's see, we're in New Orleans, and the death date is 1878, so perhaps the baby died of yellow fever!"]
Above all else, it's reassuring to find that I'm not alone in my cemetery addiction. DeBartolo Carmack takes her family along on graveyard picnics, so I guess my fiancé doesn't have it all THAT bad!
http://www.easyvegan.info/2005/06/15/...
June 15, 2013
Disappointing. This is probably a reasonably good book for someone who has never stepped into a cemetery except for a funeral and is now doing genealogy, but it offers remarkably little for the experienced genealogist wanting to refine their knowledge.
The book was not as detailed as I hoped, nor was there the detailed discussion of tombstone materials and forms I had hoped for, since these often tell us the age of the headstone and whether it was erected near the time of death or was erected by a later generation, I felt this omission was critical, particularly with the general emphasis in the book on determining an accurate date of death from a variety of sources.
The discussion of lighting of tombstones for photography was quite inadequate. The use of a mirror or other large reflective surface was a start, but barely touched on the real issue of light angle, which can be critical when photographing older or deteriorated stones. The recommendation for a slightly overcast day as ideal lighting conditions is mostly true of modern granite tombstones with their polished surfaces and clear lettering, but it would be pretty inadequate for many older, more difficult-to-read stones. See the two headstone shots on this site for the difference light angle can make: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg..... The lower photo was probably taken in conditions similar to those recommended by Carmack, and the upper one on a clear bright day with a good sun angle. (The angled lighting can be achieved using a mirror or other large reflective surface as recommended by Carmack, if the sun and orientation of the stone are less than propitious).
I enjoyed the sections of the book about which I knew little -- such as the discussion on tombstone symbols.
The book was not as detailed as I hoped, nor was there the detailed discussion of tombstone materials and forms I had hoped for, since these often tell us the age of the headstone and whether it was erected near the time of death or was erected by a later generation, I felt this omission was critical, particularly with the general emphasis in the book on determining an accurate date of death from a variety of sources.
The discussion of lighting of tombstones for photography was quite inadequate. The use of a mirror or other large reflective surface was a start, but barely touched on the real issue of light angle, which can be critical when photographing older or deteriorated stones. The recommendation for a slightly overcast day as ideal lighting conditions is mostly true of modern granite tombstones with their polished surfaces and clear lettering, but it would be pretty inadequate for many older, more difficult-to-read stones. See the two headstone shots on this site for the difference light angle can make: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg..... The lower photo was probably taken in conditions similar to those recommended by Carmack, and the upper one on a clear bright day with a good sun angle. (The angled lighting can be achieved using a mirror or other large reflective surface as recommended by Carmack, if the sun and orientation of the stone are less than propitious).
I enjoyed the sections of the book about which I knew little -- such as the discussion on tombstone symbols.
June 2, 2013
As soon as these books are written, most of the information is out to date. Good information if you want to volunteer to "transcribe and map" a cemetery. But the web sites recommended are now mostly defunct, or have been bought up by ancestry.com or family tree maker, and want you to pay $$$$, and not a small amt. of dollars. But could be useful to "mappers." One thing that was really good, is at the back of the book is a list of disasters, in the U.S. that claimed many lives, which may be a way for genealogist to track.
April 30, 2012
Some of the information in this book is growing increasingly outdated, but it remains a solid research tool for both cemeteries and genealogists alike. It is true that much of the info is now available online, but it's still interesting to find a tool that shows you how to find the information yourself!
August 4, 2011
A lot of great information, but the Internet info is a bit out of date (as is expected). You don't need to actually go to Family History Library or centers to access most of the info the author suggests - this info is all available online via ancestry.com or the familysearch.org.
February 22, 2008
One of the best books out there about Cemetery Research. I actually wished it was bigger!
March 26, 2008
A little dated, but had some great tips for genealogy and information on meanings in cemeteries.
August 20, 2008
Ok, no, I'm not a morbid person. I am, however, an amateur genealogist and this was a very fascinating book. You'll never think, or look, at cemeteries the same way.
August 27, 2008
Great book for those searching cemeteries for long lost relatives.
July 30, 2016
Full of great information for the amateur geneologist. This is a research book I'd like to own so that I am able to refer to it as often as needed.
January 6, 2010
Was intereesting but then I found out that Tn has a law against doing geneaolgy research in cemeteries!
April 24, 2012
Good information on cemeteries. There were a lot of things I didn't know I could do. Glad I read the book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews