What Can I Do at NAMES IN STONE?

A lot of us are waiting for better weather before we can get out and do some serious cemetery mapping....

Now is a great time to visit and explore the Names in Stone website and find out what it has to offer.

SEARCH THE MULTI-CEMETERY DATABASE:

The best way to search the Names in Stone database is to enter the last name of the deceased person you are searching for. If your results are many, you can refine your search by adding more specific information. You can also select a cemetery to search if you know where that person is buried.

VIEW A CEMETERY LIST:


You can select a state or province and see what cemeteries are already added to the database. You can also view a list of recently added cemeteries.



BUILD YOUR OWN CEMETERY MAP:

With unique on-line mapping tools, anyone can create a cemetery map. The website guides you through the process, which is very easy. Check out their Class B Cemetery Mapping Recommendations and explore the Grave Mappers blog for more mapping tips. It's a great way to preserve cemetery records.



LEARN ABOUT MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS:

There are three levels of membership options -

• Free Limited Membership - search for cemetery burials; view and interact on the website; upload images and attachments to burial records; participate in forum-style discussions; print maps and records; and create your own cemetery maps.


• $39.99/year Complete Yearly Membership - all of the above plus: save lists of cemeteries and records of interest and important research criteria; receive email updates when records and cemeteries are added pertaining to your list; use the database as a research assistant; receive discounts on grave decor.


• $7.95/month Complete Monthly Membership - same as yearly membership for one month at a time.

ADD IMAGES AND ATTACHMENTS TO BURIAL RECORDS:


You can add headstone photos, and other photos and images to a burial record. You can also participate in forum-style discussions about burial records, sharing knowledge and information.






DECORATE A GRAVE:


For $9.95, you can decorate a grave with virtual flowers and other images that last three months. This is a headstone photo on Names in Stone that I decorated myself with virtual flowers. It's fun to find your ancestors' graves, especially those you are unable to visit personally, and decorate them. Complete members get a discount on grave decor.




At Names in Stone, there's something for everyone who is interested in cemeteries and genealogy. Grave Mappers invites you to take a look!


Names in Stone screenshots used by permission.

Decorate a Grave

Have you seen the Decorate a Grave feature on Names in Stone?

What a wonderful way to honor those who have passed on! You can upload a photo of a headstone and then decorate it with creative flower arrangements, holiday decorations, and other images.

I decorated a family member's grave and it was very enjoyable -- and it looks lovely! You can view your decorations when you select the grave, and the decor stays on the grave for three months.

Here's some hints about decorating a grave:

• If you have a headstone photo, first upload it on the Community Page. Then click on "Decorate." Your headstone photo can be found under Community Images on the right side of your screen. Just drag it across to the left side of your screen on top of the headstone example.
• Don't have a headstone photo? Select one from the headstone section on the right of your screen. Drag it across, then add the name and dates in whatever text and color you like!
• Now drag flowers or other images across to decorate the grave. You can resize these images by clicking on one of the colored squares around the selected image and then dragging it to change the size. You can also change the direction the image is facing by dragging these squares.

Decorated headstone photo used by permission from Names in Stone.