Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Old Movies
We all got together for Father's day at my Mom and Dads and my sister brought us all a DVD that she had made off a VHS tape my Dad had given us years before that he had made from some of the old family movies. This is such a great way to preserve family memories. We played it and I really enjoyed watching it. I think everyone was getting a kick out of me because I would be watching and then someone would be on there and I would say look, look its so and so. I then would think now stop that but I couldn't help myself when the next one came on and I would do the same. I really think everyone that has old movies or slides or vhs tapes of the family should think about putting them on DVD's and share them with the whole family. This is another way to pass on our family history.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Cemetery Sleuthing
I was out at the cemeteries for Memorial day and thought I would remind you that when you go you should take pictures of the headstones for your records. This is a good way to share with others but also in case of the older ones being damaged or lost you will have a record of them. Where my great grand parents are buried we can no longer go there because of where it is located it is not a safe neighborhood and it is over run. We were able to go there when I first started my family history sleuthing and didn't follow this rule so now we don't have a picture to refer too. It was also not unusual when you went to that cemetery that headstones would be broken, moved or even stolen. Don't be like me, remember to document your ancestors headstones with a picture and if possible a rubbing on the older headstones.
When you are at the cemeteries look around and take note of others buried around and make sure you take down the names and dates of any that you aren't sure if they are family or not. We went last fall to Monroe County Mo to one of the cemeteries and did just that. It was a cemetery on a farm and even though we weren't sure on some of the names we took them down and that way if we find they are in the family later we will have it.
Always make sure to make a map of the way to cemeteries when they are older and located in rural areas or on farms so that if you ever go back you will be able to find it again. We have one cemetery in Buchanan County MO that we for years would just have to guess where it was and after driving around would finally find it. Now we have written down directions to it and we find it easier. We also have written down what row and exactly where the grave is for the ancestors I was looking for and we can find them easy now. This is such a simple thing to do but so easy to not remember to do. Make a map of where your ancestors are buried in the cemetery for future reference. These little steps now will be helpful in the future if your memory like mine isn't good.
Another tip is to research and see if you can find the history of the cemeteries if you can. I have one in Brown County KS that my ancestors are buried in that is on a farm and they held the deed for it and were the trustees for it for years. The one in Buchanan County we found out was part of my ancestors farm at one time and he donated the land for the cemetery. We found that most of the people buried in it are related in one way or another also. Do as much research on the cemetery as you can and you just never know what you might find out about your family.
Remember that if the cemetery is on private land to get permission before you go in to it from the owners. Also check on line and see if the records of burial have been put online yet.
We use to on our vacations take time to go and find our ancestors resting places and it was an adventure in sleuthing that we were glad we had done. So get out there and find your ancestors.
When you are at the cemeteries look around and take note of others buried around and make sure you take down the names and dates of any that you aren't sure if they are family or not. We went last fall to Monroe County Mo to one of the cemeteries and did just that. It was a cemetery on a farm and even though we weren't sure on some of the names we took them down and that way if we find they are in the family later we will have it.
Always make sure to make a map of the way to cemeteries when they are older and located in rural areas or on farms so that if you ever go back you will be able to find it again. We have one cemetery in Buchanan County MO that we for years would just have to guess where it was and after driving around would finally find it. Now we have written down directions to it and we find it easier. We also have written down what row and exactly where the grave is for the ancestors I was looking for and we can find them easy now. This is such a simple thing to do but so easy to not remember to do. Make a map of where your ancestors are buried in the cemetery for future reference. These little steps now will be helpful in the future if your memory like mine isn't good.
Another tip is to research and see if you can find the history of the cemeteries if you can. I have one in Brown County KS that my ancestors are buried in that is on a farm and they held the deed for it and were the trustees for it for years. The one in Buchanan County we found out was part of my ancestors farm at one time and he donated the land for the cemetery. We found that most of the people buried in it are related in one way or another also. Do as much research on the cemetery as you can and you just never know what you might find out about your family.
Remember that if the cemetery is on private land to get permission before you go in to it from the owners. Also check on line and see if the records of burial have been put online yet.
We use to on our vacations take time to go and find our ancestors resting places and it was an adventure in sleuthing that we were glad we had done. So get out there and find your ancestors.
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