NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO CANADA GRAVEMARKER GALLERY EXPERIENCES TO HELP POTENTIAL CEMETERY PHOTOGRAPHERS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1. I have been reading the list content over the past week or so and noticed many questions about *Photographing Cemeteries*. Since I have photographed hundreds of cemeteries and posted the pictures on the web site under my signature below ; I thought those folks asking the questions may be interested in some of my experiences. I am not saying they are the only way, but I am saying that many, many folks have sent me accolades for my totally free-access web site. In addition, it is necessary to say....not one person out of 260,000 visitors has sent a negative comment. 2. I am fully aware of the Policy of The Mount Pleasant Group in Toronto and I have heard of another Cemetery in Texas who deny folks from photographing stones (other than family). I have my own opinion on these organizations but that has nothing to do with my web site. 3. I am also aware of the folks from Virginia who photographed cemeteries in Newfoundland; and a company in a County east of Lake Simcoe, and will sell these photos to those willing to pay. (I have my opinions on those enterprises but it has nothing to do with my project.) a. Permission to photograph. There are about 300 fully photographed cemeteries and over 100,000 grave marker photographs on my site. All cemeteries in NIPISSING and PARRY SOUND DISTRICTS are complete and I am well on the way to completing SUDBURY and MANITOULIN DISTRICT; and RENFREW COUNTY. 98% of the cemeteries did not have full time caretakers and I photograph the cemeteries without asking for permission. (No town, village or church has objected so far and I really don't expect anyone to object after 5 years of photographing). For larger City cemeteries like North Bay, Sudbury and Pembroke which have fulltime staff; I pay a visit to the supervisor and explain what I am doing and without exception, they have all been interested, cooperative and supportive. In addition, a cemetery manager told me that he finds my web site very useful as he does not have to run to the cemeteries under his authority to view a gravestone. b. Conflict with OGS Gen Societies. So far there is no such thing. It has been determined by some of the Northeastern Ontario Genealogical Societies (Groups) that my web site compliments their "Cemetery Efforts". In fact, I have made presentations about my web site experiences to two of these Genealogical organizations. These talks apparently were very informative and found to be very interesting to the members present. Please note the comments in the accolades para below. c. Sponsorship. The web site will never have a "for profit" sponsor. I am able to pay all annual costs for the site from my own pension resources and it will always vb free access. One company approached me with a proposal such as visitors would pay $1.00 to download a photograph. I was not interested. d. Voluntary assistance to the site. Volunteers are the salt of the earth. I have folks taking pictures of entire cemeteries in Northeastern Ontario and sending them to me on a CD at the end of their summer's work. Three folks have volunteered to help crop and rename photographs in preparation to go up on the site. Some folks have generously contributed to my "gas account" which helps to offset the costs for gas to get to unphotographed cemeteries 100 miles away or more....! e. Accolades. I do not want to bore you but many messages sent to me have brought a wee tear to me eye and have forced me to put my sore back and sun burned face in my Van and drive for more cemeteries. A couple of these messages are below: * One lady sent a note saying she worked at a nursing home near North Bay and she had brought my web site up on a computer at work and brought several oldtimers, in their wheel chairs to the computer. She said that there was not a dry eye from these folks as they left the room; because they are physically unable to get to the cemetery to see their spouses' gravesite and stone....and that day they were exuberant because they felt like they were right there beside their loved one in the cemetery. * Another lady in a mostly French speaking community west of North Bay sent me a message through her tear filled eyes. She had just brought her Dad, who is now very crippled, to her computer to see my web site. She explained how her Dad could not stop crying as he spent 2 hours looking through all the cemeteries in that area. * Do you have a tear in your eye now too.....? Sigh....... * Here a couple more; * I have moved here to Powassan over 2 years ago to be with my husband and his mother. They are the XXXXX family. Jamie XXXXX was always a person very interested in his ancestors, and he has shown me so much of the area regarding the XXXXXX (mainly Alsace area). When I looked at your website and immediately went to his father's headstone, I couldn't help but cry. Your work will be extremely appreciated. My father died when I was seven, in Morinville Alberta, just north of Edmonton. Since 1969, I've only seen his grave once (1982). I'd love to be brought closer to him in this way. Keep up the wonderful work!! * From a Southern Ontario Gen Soc Chairperson: I have been enjoying your site since 2001. My ancestors lived in the areas where you have been working, and it has been a very valuable aid in my research. I have referred your gallery to countless people. This morning I received a note (below) from the President of The Ontario Genealogical Society. He has just learned about your remarkable site and hastened to pass good news on to all the OGS Branch Chairs. It reminded me that the time is long past when I should write to you and say "Thanks. Well done." * My name is XXXX XXXX. I was raised in North Bay, but now live in XXXXXXX. Some day I will return… Thanks to you I have seen, for the first time, the gravestones of my grandparents, XXXXX XXXX & XXXXXX XXXXX in Sudbury. You also have my aunt, uncle, other grandfather (Wilf XXXXX in North Bay), and parents (XXXXX & XXXXXXX XXXXXXX in North Bay).I know when I spend the time I will find more relatives on your site. I didn’t even know when my grandfather was born (1882), he died before I was born, but I do now. Too much personal stuff here for you to add this to your guestpage, you can if you delete all the names. * Conclusion. The examples of messages and stories that are shown above is a small fraction of the sum. Perhaps folks on the list can understand a little better now as to why Cemeteries Online is a very important part of the Genealogy Hobby. Many folks in the Family Research Hobby agree and hopefully they pass on their moral support to others who are interested in photographing the resting places of our beloved ancestors. * I haved prepared a "Tips and Hints" aide memoire and I promised Sheila I would touch it up and post it in the Mailin List for those folks who are very interested in photographing cmeteries. These tips and hints would save you from lots of bad experiences....! * I apologize for such a long message but I did not have time to write a shorter one. * PS: If you have any specific questions on photographing cemeteries......please don't hesitate to contact me....! Bye for now................M u r r a y P l e t s c h N.E. Ontario G r a v e m a r k e r G a l l e r y http://nocgg.maddoc.net Alt email: gravemarkers@hotmail.com