Utah, Cemetery Abstracts - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is in the Collection?
This collection includes images and an index of abstracts from cemeteries in Utah compiled between 1953 and 1955. Burial dates begin as early as 1850. These records were created by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and compiled by the Genealogical Society of Utah. This collection consists of type-written images of an index of death records and cemetery inscriptions in various cemeteries throughout Utah that was compiled between 1951 and 1955. The death and burial dates are from 1850 to 1955. The information is listed on each page according to the location of the grave site within the cemetery, followed by name of dead, age, date of birth, date of death, and parents, husband or wife information. Not all information is complete for all burials. The name of the dead is usually listed by first name with the surname following or sometimes only listed under the parent or spouse information. In some of the records the surname is listed first followed by the given name. There are occasional epitaphs or memorials written next to the person’s entry within the index. Name indexes are sometimes available at the end of each cemetery transcription and usually list the deceased alphabetically by surname.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:


 * Burial lot number
 * Given name(s) of deceased
 * Surname of deceased
 * Death date
 * Age at time of death


 * Birth date or estimated birth year
 * Cemetery of burial
 * Name of parents or spouse
 * Page number

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * The name of a parent or date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the information found in the record to locate the death record.
 * Use the age or estimated birth date to determine an approximate birth date to find other church and vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage records.
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records.
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in censuses.
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family.
 * Church Records were kept years before counties began keeping records. They are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900.

I Can’t Find Who I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives.
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county.
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Check the info box above for additional FamilySearch websites and related websites that may assist you in finding similar records.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Utah.
 * Utah Guided Research
 * Utah Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research: 1850-1905 | 1900-Present
 * United States, Tombstone and Sexton Records

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.