How to Locate Historical Cemeteries

Historical cemeteries can be interesting places to visit in your hometown or while traveling. You can see the gravesites of famous individuals, elaborate old tombstones and interesting epitaphs. Historical cemeteries give you a glimpse into what life was like in times past and they make a great learning tool for teaching about history.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Contact local government offices in the place where you're looking for historical cemeteries. Depending on the age and the size of the cemetery that you're looking for, a visitor's center or local tourism office may have the information for you. Otherwise head to city hall or the local historical association for information; you may be directed to records or different offices, but it's a good place to start the search.
2. Ask about state historical cemetery associations. Many states have an organization or association that is focused on locating and documenting historical cemeteries within the state. Some have online databases that you can search through while others will have paper record lists.
3. Search online for information about historical cemeteries. If you're looking for the gravesite of a famous individual or group, head to sites that list this information. Post a query in genealogy website boards or see if you can find information from local or state groups that have information on cemeteries and gravesites.
4. Head to the archives if you're looking for a historical cemetery that isn't readily available through state lists. If the cemetery was used by a particular family, you might try diaries or other documents related to the family if you can find them in historical societies or university archives. You can also try county land information or church burial lists. Deeds, newspapers, family records and mortuary records can all be helpful in finding unmarked or undocumented cemeteries.
5. Take a walk if you believe you know the location of an unmarked cemetery. Look for mounds or indentations in the ground fitting the size of a grave and any broken gravestones. Always gain permission from current land owners before heading out.
6. Use grave detection dogs that have been trained to find historical graves. Sometimes human remains detection dogs are trained for finding historic graves. They may be used in archeological or historical research. Using a dog and handler can help you locate graves if you know the area that they are supposed to be in.