If a cemeteries coordinates are give in Find a grave, but I can't physically see tombstones on the imagery, should i include it in the database? |
Can't see them on what imagery? TNM? Google? Find-a-grave? I wouldn't rely on FAG coordinates myself. They're volunteer-contributed many times, and I don't know how much "fact checking" is done by FAG. Does this particular cemetery show up in the GNIS database? You can search here: https://gnis.onthemap.net If it's in the GNIS database you can at least correlate the location with FAG and search with the aerial imagery providers on the above site. |
I find that it's rare I can see grave stones in aerial imagery, unless the cemetery is large/ new/ maintained. I find the old topos are really accurate and use multiple sources of information to check locations and names if I can't find a name on the old topo. These include descriptive directions found on FAG and genweb county sites, compilations by states like Michigan where they have catalogued references to all old grave sites in archival material. Those are way better than aerial imagery. Queenofthedead |
I only count on FAG or Billion Graves if other volunteers have verified the cemetery exists by providing photos of tombstones or pictures of the cemetery. Sometimes there will be other entries that can help confirm the existence. Locations found using GNIS may or may not be accurate, but they can help. Other ideas from volunteers include looking at the websites of local funeral businesses, genealogy sites, and some states actually have listings too. If you can't confirm the cemetery, just leave it...don't delete it. |
We recommend that you don't delete cemetery points unless you have found an authoritative source online saying it no longer exists or there is absolutely no record of the cemetery anywhere online (after very very thorough internet sleuthing) including on findagrave and billion graves. |
If I can't see the grave stones, FAG says that it is not maintained and overrun, but can verify the FAG coordinate with the old USGS Topo (which shows a cemetery at that location, Should I include this in the database?