From:
http://www.trailsendparanormalsocietyofore...om/custom2.htmlResearching a Cemetery
Researching a cemetery can be a lot of fun and hard work. Clues can be found in the cemetery itself. Note what is written on a headstone. Also note the shape of the stone and what designs are on the stone. A headstone shaped like a log or a child's stone that has a lamb on it is a clue that this person or parent was a member of Woodmen of the World.
A headstone with a badge on it may be a Civil War Veteran. Others will state that this person was in the Civil War or 'came by wagon train in 1850.' They may state that this person was a founder or did something special in history. You will find stones with religious markings showing they were a member of a certain church or sect.
Some stones will have pictures of a log truck, or cars, something that may be a clue of what this person's occupation or interest was in life. Then you will come across stones with 'Wife of' or 'Daughter of,' telling their family connection. Some poems may give you a clue. Also you will come across stones that show family members dying within days or weeks of each other. Was there an illness or accident?
Make notes of each stone and any clues on it that may help you in your research. Take your information to any of the following and start your research.
Library, historical books and old newspaper files can be found here.
Historical Society: do not forget to give them information on the results of your hunt. They want names & locations of cemeteries. Information on who is buried there. Dates.
Computer Web Sites. In this area you will find wonderful sites on family history. As well as sites on the Internet on headstone markings and designs.
You will also find historical web sites on line.
Look for the BLM web site to find land patents.
Some areas will have sites on local history.
Find-A-Grave may have information on what you are looking for; also send them the information on the cemetery you are researching.
Church: here you may find archives on births, christenings, marriages, deaths and burials.
Senior members of the community: A lot of them will enjoy talking about their history, families and neighbors. Use a tape recorder.
Land Offices: Land Patents Claims
Newspapers: These have obituaries; also earlier community papers had family information on marriages, births and family or community events.
State offices for death records.
Funeral Homes in the area.
Check thrift stores for old family Bibles. Many times I have seen where families dispose old Bibles, not seeing the value in them -- they are throwing away their family history. Once in a while you will also find old family pictures and baby-books and yearbooks. I have also found this true in garage and estate sales.
Now many of you may ask if you a paranormal investigator, why would I do this? What do I have to gain from doing all this research in a cemetery; and, as far as that goes, why should I bother to clean or repair one? You call yourself an investigator -- this is a wonderful way to learn how to investigate. Plus, by submitting the information you find to your local historical society, you show your community you care. By cleaning and repairing a cemetery you are learning safety for yourself and your members, as well as protecting the cemetery from damage from unskilled investigators. By providing the information you find on the Internet, you help another type of investigator, the genealogist or family researcher.
While cleaning the cemetery make sure you take pictures; you never know what or who will show up. Paranormal events do not just happen at night. By the work you do here, you are showing your community that your group is made up of professional people who do care about their community and not a bunch of unprofessional vandals who are trouble.
Safety in a cemetery -- day or night.
When I grew up I was taught some very important rules when in a cemetery. Now at that time I was only there to place flowers on a loved ones resting place or for a funeral.
Never walk on a grave. Always walk to the side, at the foot or head of a grave. Many historical graves used wooden boxes to bury their dead.
Never run in a cemetery. This was for my safety, the safety of the cemetery but most importantly respect for the families and their loved one's resting place.
Talk quietly. We were not allowed to scream or talk loudly. Again this went to respecting others around you.
Now that I am into paranormal investigations. I have learned a few other rules besides the ones my parents taught me. Remember, your best tool is common sense.
Always carry a cell phone for emergency; put on vibrate and wear it.
Bring a first aid kit, and have a person assigned to first aid.
Have someone with you and someone else knowing where you went and when you are planning on returning.
Emergency phone numbers for help and to contact for members injured during investigations.
Check out the layout of the cemetery during the day, looking for possible dangers that may cause problems during your investigation.
Members should all carry 2-way radios or whistles in case of emergency.
Do not walk on concrete that has been put over graves. These surfaces have been known to break. Why? Age of concrete and wash-out of soil underneath, plus your weight. I have also seen where these are covered by moss and other slippery substances that would make it easy for you to slip on. I have also seen some concrete boxes with concrete tops where the top has caved in or box been broken. up.
Have permission before going out. I prefer a signed permission form. These can be hard to get until we show people that we are truly interested in research. (Without permission you can be trespassing and find yourself in trouble. Police or buckshot any one? I recently had one girl e-mail me for tips on investigations. When I told her to get permission I was told that she and her members were 17 and older and did not need permission from anyone. Any guess what my response was to this?
Always watch where you are going. Above, below, beside and in front. Again,why? At one cemetery we found a grave that had been dug up. Vandals.
Broken branches, fences, rocks, broken glass, limbs and pinecones that could fall and hit you on the head.
Animals and people who may cause harm to you and your members.
Keep your ears open. While in Virginia City, Nevada, my daughter-in-law was walking behind myself and another lady when she interrupted our talking saying, "Mom, what's that buzzing sound?" Stopping to listen and check the area with flashlights, we found we had walked between 3 rattlesnakes. We were lucky they were far enough away not to have bitten us.
Carry flashlights.
Know where your members are.
Have a time when everyone plans on being back in there cars by. Teams may break up into different areas depending on size of cemetery and group.
Do not smoke, drink or use any other substance during an investigation. Use your ashtray; you could cause a fire, otherwise. Also, you may be affecting other team members' sense of smell or cost a wonderful picture.
Have a signal for everyone in case of an emergency. (In Virginia City we contacted member at car and told her what happened with rattlesnakes and she honked the car horn. (This investigation was finished in this area for the night as others had also seen rattlesnakes.)
Know what type of vegetation and animals are in the area. We have seen deer, foxes, rabbits, wolves and other small animals during investigations in cemeteries. Also dogs and cats can be in these areas, as well as cattle and horses. (Sadly, in one cemetery I saw the farmer was using it as part of his cow pasture.)
Remember, your Team Leader is responsible for you and your group when you are investigating. If they tell you no, do not do it. These Team Leaders have been trained to do investigations. They are fully aware of dangers that you can be exposed to. You will find with Trail's End Paranormal Society of Oregon that you are no longer a member of our group if you fail to follow directions of your Team Leader. Team Leaders are there for your safety and to train you and your group to work as a team. If they have someone who is not following directions they have an obligation to your team to let you go.
If you are afraid of shadows, stay out of cemeteries and find another hobby or occupation. You can be a danger to yourself and your team and Team Leaders can and will have you removed from Trail's End. We are very serious in what we do and will not play games with you. - Catherine
Team Leader collects the following data:
Area Map of Location Under Investigation; Key to Map
Name of Investigator; Team Members
Name of Cemetery
Address or Location
Date
Moon Cycle
Time Started; Time Ended
Weather Conditions; Temperature
Equipment Used:
Flashlights
Digital Electro-Magnetic Detector
Video Motion Detector
Tape Recorder
Compass
Other
Investigators Notes or Report During Investigation
Time = Incidents or Comments During Investigation
Comments
Remember Fresh Audio/Videotape
Radio
Extra Batteries
35mm Film
