Find A Grave Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The collection is an index courtesy of Find A Grave, an expansive family history database of records and images from the world's cemeteries. The index covers the years 1500-2013. This collection is being published as it becomes available.

This collection provides limited indexed data only; for a much richer user experience, including access to photographs, portraits, biographies, and stories, visit FindAGrave.com

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Record Content
Records usually contain the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Year of death
 * Cemetery where buried

Records may include the following:


 * Full death date
 * Birth year or full birth date
 * Cemetery plot location and/or GPS coordinates
 * Relationship links to other family members buried in the same cemetery
 * Photo of the headstone
 * Other biographical information

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:


 * Name
 * Some other identifying information such as death date

Search the Collection
To search the collection fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at the information on several individuals comparing the information about them to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names, or variations of their name, throughout their life.
 * If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names.
 * Even though these indexes are very accurate they may still contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line video at FamilySearch Search Tips.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed.

Next click on your ancestor's name in the search results list. This will take you to the grave entry in the "FindAGrave Index."

Again, download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:


 * Use the birth and death dates to obtain copies of birth and death certificates.
 * Use the name, dates and burial place to search for census, church and land records.
 * Use the name and burial information to obtain a cemetery record and funeral records. These records often list family members and residences.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Continue to search the index and records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may also be listed in the index.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct. You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
 * If you already know where your ancestor was buried, search the records of that cemetery.
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals with the same family number.

Related Websites
FindAGrave.com

Related Wiki Articles
Cemeteries

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.