I have been doing genealogy research for over 25 years and it is more than a hobby for me. I have just started helping with find a grave, I find it rewarding when I go to a cemetery and find that long lost grave or get the picture for someone that does not live in that area and wants something to verify information they are looking for.

I have expanded my genealogy research by studying Cemetery/Tombstone Iconology, this is the study of the various symbols, carvings, monuments, motifs, and icons found in cemeteries. Iconoloy is image writing, the study of symbols depicted in works of art. Why does this pertain to genealogy? It defines the historical and cultural attitudes regarding death and burial practices reflected on the tombstones.

When you go into a cemetery you may only see what has become of our loved ones and what will become of us one day. Look deeper, why is there rocks on top of some of the tombstones? It is a symbol that some one was there and placed a rock on the tombstone to let others know the departed is not forgotten, someone was there to pay their respects.

Tombstones can tell us about not only the person buried there but the person who carved it and the living who remember the departed thru the art on the stone. Look at the stone, does it tell a story? Is there a scene of a deer and forest, is there a truck on the stone, what symbols and decorations are on the stone?

For those who are interested in genealogy and go to the cemetery's we are looking for information, clues about that person buried there. Doing this helps us to understand more and possibly make that connection or help others make that connection. This is the reason I do this. We need to preserve our past for our future.


Again my interest is only in my research and preserving the past, thru knowing how to get the information and wanting to know how to care for and preserve tombstones. My wife and I (although she has no interest in doing this) do this together, she is my support and assists me in my endevers.

Please read and follow all of FAG policies, do not send me obits and want them posted, I cannot do that. Do not send me a request to transfer a memorial with out providing me with your connection to the requested. I do not do this as a full time job, please be patient and if the requests meet the policies I will make changes when I can.

I have been doing genealogy research for over 25 years and it is more than a hobby for me. I have just started helping with find a grave, I find it rewarding when I go to a cemetery and find that long lost grave or get the picture for someone that does not live in that area and wants something to verify information they are looking for.

I have expanded my genealogy research by studying Cemetery/Tombstone Iconology, this is the study of the various symbols, carvings, monuments, motifs, and icons found in cemeteries. Iconoloy is image writing, the study of symbols depicted in works of art. Why does this pertain to genealogy? It defines the historical and cultural attitudes regarding death and burial practices reflected on the tombstones.

When you go into a cemetery you may only see what has become of our loved ones and what will become of us one day. Look deeper, why is there rocks on top of some of the tombstones? It is a symbol that some one was there and placed a rock on the tombstone to let others know the departed is not forgotten, someone was there to pay their respects.

Tombstones can tell us about not only the person buried there but the person who carved it and the living who remember the departed thru the art on the stone. Look at the stone, does it tell a story? Is there a scene of a deer and forest, is there a truck on the stone, what symbols and decorations are on the stone?

For those who are interested in genealogy and go to the cemetery's we are looking for information, clues about that person buried there. Doing this helps us to understand more and possibly make that connection or help others make that connection. This is the reason I do this. We need to preserve our past for our future.


Again my interest is only in my research and preserving the past, thru knowing how to get the information and wanting to know how to care for and preserve tombstones. My wife and I (although she has no interest in doing this) do this together, she is my support and assists me in my endevers.

Please read and follow all of FAG policies, do not send me obits and want them posted, I cannot do that. Do not send me a request to transfer a memorial with out providing me with your connection to the requested. I do not do this as a full time job, please be patient and if the requests meet the policies I will make changes when I can.