TBT Genealogy Vacation

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Genealogy Vacation

We just returned from a fall vacation in which we went to several cemeteries, a couple of courthouses, and a library. We planned our trip around places we wanted to go for genealogy and then saw the sights around those places. We went to 6 different cemeteries and only in one did we not find who we were looking for, so I would say we were pretty successful. I have started a cemetery book and so while we were there we took pictures of the headstones and then took pictures that gave us reference points to find the headstones again. We also took pictures of the name of the cemetery so we would have that also. We are hoping by doing this that anyone who would look at the pictures would be able to find the headstones themselves if they go to the cemetery or we could find them again if we want. The one cemetery we could not find the headstones for we did find WPA records for that cemetery and got info for it from the Library we went to in Washington, Washington County, IA. They had a very nice genealogy department and very helpful volunteers. We also went to the Washington County, IA courthouse and they turned us loose to look at the books for deeds and marriages. We then visited the Keokuk County IA courthouse and though they weren't as friendly we still were able to look at the records. They had a index card file cabinet  with index of records and then copies in the books that you could look at. We were able to piece together some lose ends and all and all was a fun successful trip. Here are pictures of how I am starting a cemetery book for Ash Grove Cemetery in Ash Grove MO.

First picture is of the name of the Cemetery.

Second is a picture looking back to where the headstone we are wanting is in reference to the ones around it

Third is a picture from the front to the back in the section our headstone we want is in.

Last here is the picture of the headstone we were wanting to get.  You can see where it is in regards to others in the second picture. and the third too. In second is to the back of the picture in middle and third it is on the right of the picture in front.

Hope these pictures help you see what I mean about making a cemetery book. I will get mine together and do another post showing it too you later.

When planning a genealogy trip make sure you have all the known info on the family in the area you are going to do research with you. If you can find out where the cemetery is see if they have a map to help you find it. If you can find where the records are kept that is helpful also or you can do like we did and go row by row looking in the smaller ones. Make sure when in the court house to take note of any names with the surname you are researching because you don't want to find out later that even though at the time that name didn't fit anywhere that you knew of, that they do belong in your tree. Make a list of all the marriages, deeds, land records, vitals and any record they have by surname and figure out later if they are related or not.

One highlight of the trip was going to Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, Greene County, MO to find my husbands gggrandfather who was buried there. He was a CW vet and where he was buried were many unknown soldiers buried from the CW also. It is a nice cemetery. Here is a picture of his headstone we took while on the trip.

Springfield National Cemetery, Springfield, Greene County MO

Our ancestor Arthur Davis headstone at the Springfield National Cemetery

We are already making plans for our next genealogy trip and can't wait till we can go again. The best part of genealogy is going to the places your ancestors are from and getting a feel of how the place is and was in their time.