Cemetery Box List
We purchased a cemetery packet at a genealogy seminar. In it was a list of suggested items to take with you when you visit cemeteries. Below is that list, altered to what we learned we needed while we were on our Road Trips, and some tips for the items' use.
Yes, it is a long list and there is a chance that you will not need the majority of the items. Below, I have also included a Image of the form, and a downloadable PDF.
Cemetery Supplies
Yard Supplies
Office Supplies
Hygiene Supplies
Food Supplies
Things You Might Want for Out-of-the Way and/or Unkept Cemeteries (suggested in purchased Cemetery Package)
Yes, it is a long list and there is a chance that you will not need the majority of the items. Below, I have also included a Image of the form, and a downloadable PDF.
Cemetery Supplies
- Names per Cemetery...I have our version online
- Transcription Forms...I have our version online
- Have one ready for each person on your list
- Have pages of blank forms for other people on the same surname you are looking for (take a picture of their headstone too). You may later discover they are related and you will saved having to go back.
- Printed Directions
- We have learned that it is best to have a GPS and printed directions.
- Some areas have little to no service, so GPS will not work.
- Sometimes neither are correct, especially for remote cemeteries (usually private and/or family cemeteries), so you need to combine the 2 versions and hope for the best.
- Clipboard (one with storage is best)
- Use a rubber band at the bottom to hold your paper down on a windy day.
- Keep extra pens/pencils and blank forms in the storage. (If not, your pen will run out of ink when you are on the opposite side of the rather large cemetery as your car, and you haven't brought your supply tote with you. Yes...it happened to me.)
Yard Supplies
- Soft Bristle Brush
- Soft Toothbrush
- Whisk Broom
- Distilled Water in Spray Bottle
- Grass Clippers
- Small Trowel
- Gardening Gloves
- Rubber Mat or Gardening Knee Pads
- Trash Bags (kitchen, lawn, and grocery sizes)
- Tape Measure
- Flashlight
- “Discovery Flags”
- Dowels cut in at least 2 ft lengths, Duct tape (neon colors) flags on one end. These are good to have if you are working with a partner--one transcribing, one photographing. You can start at opposite ends of a section, and leave a flag as you find someone on your list. The other person can then see where to go to do their part, and retrieves the flag.
- Pocket Knife
- Rags (various sizes)
- Wagon, yard cart, or something to haul everything in.
- Really good for large and/or badly kept cemeteries.
Office Supplies
- Camera (with extra batteries)
- Scissors
- Tape
- Masking (to attach paper)
- Painter's (also works to attach paper)
- Duct (do not use on headstones)
- Large Paper Sheets (for stone rubbings)
- Rubbing Wax or Jumbo Crayons (for stone rubbings)
- Paper/Binder Clips (various sizes)
- Small Empty Bottles (prescription bottles work great)
- Pencils/Pens
- Sharpie
- Rubber Bands (be sure to have some large enough to go around clipboard)
Hygiene Supplies
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Whistle on a chain
- Extra Full Outfit
- You would be surprised the number of reasons this might be needed.
- Safety Pins
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Wet Hand Wipes
- Lint Brush (you can run it over your clothes to remove ticks)
- Bug Spray
- Bandana (you are going to sweat)
Food Supplies
- Water (freeze 1-2 to use in cooler)
- Other Drink (lemonade, small sodas, juice)
- Hard Candy
- Easy Snacks (individual packages of Goldfish, chips, cookie/bar, fruit, pudding)
- Sandwich (you never know if the cemetery will be near a place to find food)
- Small Cooler
- Ziplock Bags
Things You Might Want for Out-of-the Way and/or Unkept Cemeteries (suggested in purchased Cemetery Package)
- Long Metal Rod (to find buried stones -- use with EXTREME care)
- Hoe (to clear covered stones, or kill snakes -- use with EXTREME care)
- Tripod
- Fresh batteries (of all sizes)
- Garden Shears
- WD-40
- Steel Wool Pad (use with EXTREME care)
- Rope (50ft)
- Mirror (to help light stones for photo)
- Tarp or Large Sheet
- Velcro Strips
| cemetery_box_list.pdf |