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

This collection is being published on a quarterly basis as information becomes available from Find A Grave.

Record Content
The records usually contain the following information:


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

The records contain:


 * User name of the contributor, and a link to the contributor's profile page
 * An edit button where details/information can be submitted to the contributor for approval
 * A button to upload a photo
 * A button to request a memorial photo be added

They may also 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 or other cemeteries
 * 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 wiki article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

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

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):