BEGINNING AT THE CEMETERY It is useful to acquire two maps of the cemetery you are going to visit. Mark one where every grave is located that you are researching, and save the clean copy for file. The Use of the CAMERA All researchers know that authentic back-up is essential to any successful research. I have found it is best to use a 35 MM CAMERA THAT DATES THE FILM AUTOMATICALLY, as part of my research tools. This feature is priceless if photos happened to be viewed many years down the road. If someone is needing to purchase a camera anyway, let it be one with this included, to assist in genealogical work. Sometimes the only Secondary Source you can find is a photograph of the tombstone. For what it's worth, I use an inexpensive 35 MM Camera, and shoot "Kodak MAX" 400 Speed film. Since it doesn't cost much more these days to develop in duplicate, I always request that service; plus, I get 4" x 6" prints so they will be large enough to read. (The best developing price is at "Sam's" -- usually located near one of your "Wal-Mart" stores.) I ALWAYS take my first shot, on the roll, of the Cemetery Entrance so I will later know the location of the following tombstone pictures on the roll. Even if the pictures get a little mixed up later, the negatives show the consecutive order. Page protectors for negatives are most convenient to use, with a complete roll fitting into one page, and it can be held up to the light for viewing without damaging. It's also a useful filing tool. My recommended source of supply for negative holders, along with every imaginable size of plastic page holders for photographs is: "20th Century Plastics" which will mail their free catalog by calling 1-800-767-0777. I have found it very helpful to photograph every single tombstone I can find of my ancestors. It not only will preserve the image for posterity as the tombstone wears away BUT the photos are excellent reference materials. I also photograph my ancestors' tombstones for inclusion in my genealogical books. When photographing a single marker, get in close and get a FULL shot of the headstone. The dates need to be large and clear so you can later read the photo. It is also smart to get a long distance shot of the entire Section itself, to help you remember where you found the family marker. On older white stones, you may need to photograph from an angle to try and get a shadow on the names. Be sure to keep YOUR shadow out of the picture. On flat stones, you can always photograph from the back side (upside-down) to prevent a shadow. On upright stones, get low so the sun is over your shoulder or move to the side slightly. The use of CHALK, lightly rubbed over the surface, can sometimes highlight the edges of worn lettering so it will show up in a photo. A block of Styrofoam will clean moss and soil debris from old tombstones (for photographing purposes) and will not damage the stone. (One correspondent wrote back that..."Styrofoam is not Environmentally safe to use." I had to laugh as I responded that we weren't burying the stuff, just using it and would take it back home after a quick clean-up. While I go around to different cemeteries where my ancestors are buried, I also photograph some of the most unusual tombstones. I am making a separate photo album (and later a book) of those that are so different and elaborate. People certainly spent a lot of money for such things in the late 1800s and early 1900s! For one particular ancestor, I ultimately discovered why he did not have any grave marker at all, after I had made two fruitless trips to the cemetery where he was buried. He, apparently, had been such a "Black Sheep" that his family took a real short-cut and just planted him. In order to keep my records consistent, I simply took a close-up photo looking down at some plain green grass. I wrote his name on the picture. ...Been there, done that. Sharing helps! Everyone in my family who travels on vacation is asked to check certain cemeteries for ancestors, and photograph their tombstones, in route. When cemetery visits are made during weekdays, it is particularly good to check their office records, and copy down every statistic they have on the deceased. Their info also gives you the name of the Funeral Home handling the arrangements which is another source to check out. After visiting the cemetery, a follow-up visit to the local funeral home may reveal more facts about the ancestors you have located in the cemeteries. There have been times when I have been held up considerably with my follow-up visit to a funeral home. Their old records so intrigued me, I almost took up residence. Interesting Facts From Funeral Home Records Researched Back In 1915: - The cost to bury an ancestor was a mere $35. Itemizations included $2.50 for a dress; or $2.15 for a shirt, collar, and tie; 50 cents to press a suit; $4.00 for a grave; $4.00 for a Horse Team for the Hearse; and $4.00 for a Carriage and Horses for the Family.