Maine, Tombstone Inscriptions, Surname Index - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection consist of extracts from cemetery tombstones of various cemeteries in Maine organized alphabetically on 3X5 cards. The collection is located at the Maine State Library in Augusta.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

 * Name of deceased
 * Maiden name of a female
 * Date of birth
 * Age of person
 * Date of death
 * Name of cemetery
 * Names and birthdates of other family members on same lot

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The place of burial
 * The approximate date of death

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.

What Do I Do Next?
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. 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.

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

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the book, page and jacket number to find the actual burial record at the cemetery
 * Use the birth date or year to search for birth records
 * Use the birth date along with relative’s names to find the family in census records
 * Use the locality and relative’s names to locate church and land records
 * The name of the undertaker or mortuary could lead you to funeral records which often include the names and residences of other family members
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives of the deceased who may have been buried in the same cemetery or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * 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 that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Maine.
 * Cemeteries
 * Sexton Records
 * Maine Guided Research
 * Maine Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Maine, tombstone inscriptions, surname index, 1620-2014
 * Maine State Archives. Cemetery index of veterans
 * Katherine W. Trickey, editor. MOCA cemetery inscription project (MIP) : series one
 * Katherine W. Trickey, editor. Maine Old Cemetery Association cemetery inscription project : series two
 * Katherine W. Trickey, editor. Maine Old Cemetery Association cemetery inscription project : series three

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.