Fellow BillionGravers,

Wow! What an amazing month of May, with 1,657,164 total contributions made. That’s insane! We are extremely grateful for all of you that helped reach this amazing milestone. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out our month-end wrap-up of our great success in May -> HERE
 
With last month over and in the books, and even though our sunburns haven’t fully healed from taking photos in the cemeteries last week (applying Aloe-Vera liberally), it’s time to move forward with June, and with summer! This month we are continuing our Win the Pin Contest along with other great prizes for our contributors.

 

June Win the Pin

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June Win the Pin Contest

Every user that makes it onto the leaderboard this month will get the Collectors BillionGraves June Pin! Watch the leaderboard throughout the month to make sure you are a part of the lucky 50 photographers and transcribers who get this collectors pin!

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For those of you that are interested in something with a little more pop!
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As always, the greatest reward for your efforts comes from knowing that you are preserving invaluable genealogical records as well as making them readily available for family members to locate. PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE follow all the guidelines for taking the “PERFECT” picture! Need a refresher? Read this great article about the 7 ways to become the photographer that every genealogists loves!

However, we’ve got a little something that might help get you outside and into the cemeteries with your smartphones (Download the iOS App HERE, Download the Android App HERE)

 

Due to the overwhelming demand from our users and with the weather as beautiful (and hot) as it is, we’ve decided to continue our 50,000 Challenge to everyone in the BillionGraves community for the month of June.

Simply upload 50,000 photos or 50,000 transcriptions and we’ll give you a brand spankin’ new 16GB Apple iPad Mini WiFi with available 4G-LTE. That’s right, we’ve lowered the number of transcriptions this month to 50,000! There are no limitations on the number of iPad mini’s that a registered user can earn! 

 

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In the month of May, we had 5 people reach the 50,000 photo milestone. While it is ambitious, it is completely possible. Just ask Melissa Webb or Nancy Alford. They’re probably snuggling up to their new iPad Mini as we speak! (And Melissa or Nancy, if you’re reading this post from your new iPad, high-five!) 
 

 

A SPECIAL NOTE FROM BILLIONGRAVES:

Taking 50,000 photos and transcribing 50,000 records is no small feat! Only a small handful of people have ever achieved it, and they did it for free! This time, we want to show our users, who really go the extra mile, our gratitude! We know not everyone will be able to reach 50,000. It wouldn’t such an accomplishment if it were easy! 

We want to give an iPad away to everyone!! Unfortunately, BillionGraves is a FREE site and we want to keep it that way! Remember, our goal is to document the world’s cemeteries and make it available to anyone and everyone for FREE!

We like to spice things up and give back as we can and will continue to do prizes and giveaways as we can! So for anyone who wants to step up and be apart of a very small elite group of volunteers, this month’s prize is just for you!

 

[info_box]Editorial Note: The average number of photos/hour is based on stats generated from the entire BillionGraves user-base and does not reflect the minimum or maximum number of photos that can be taken in one hour.

Several variables that will impact the number of records that can be collected in any given amount of time:

  • Physical ability
  • Battery life
  • Type of headstones
  • Type of cemetery

For instance, photographing flat headstones is much easier and quicker than upright or other monuments. Military cemeteries are ideal as they are usually quite large, similar shaped headstones, and perfectly aligned. So make the most out of June and find cemeteries that will help you reach your goals! [/info_box]

Other Helpful Tips

• Register! It’s 100% free and 100% necessary if you’re going to participate in this competition.

• Like us on Facebook! It’s simple to do and keeps you constantly up to date will all the new amazing things we are doing at BG!

• Make sure that you have the latest BillionGraves app. Check the iTunes App Store or Google Play for any updates for your device.

• Make it a habit. Go to the cemetery regularly—incorporate a local cemetery into your daily walk or bike ride, and snap some pictures along the way.

• Contest begins June 1, 2014 and ends June 30, 2014 @ 12:00 am GMT (That’s 6 pm MST)

[info_box] A great way to reach your goal is to grab your friends and head out to the cemetery as a group!

If everyone in the group logs their different devices into one account, your efforts will be combined, making it easier to hit your goal! Once you hit the 50,000 photo goal or 50,000 transcription goal, switch it up and combine efforts under another person in the group and earn multiple devices!

Note: Only one prize will be given per username, and will be shipped to the username the efforts are performed under. [/info_box]

The Fine Print. (Cause we have to have fine print, right?)

  • All photos and transcriptions must be submitted before the closing date of June 30, 2014 @ 12:00 am GMT (That’s 6 pm MST). Any submissions after that point will be excluded from the final results.
  • This promotion is intended for photographers and transcribers. Let’s go outside!
  • Supporting records will NOT be counted towards the monthly totals. Only images that originate from the genuine BillionGraves apps will be accepted.
  • If you or another user marks a headstone picture as “bad” we deduct it from the uploader’s total images.
  • For transcribers, we will be looking extra hard at the quality of transcriptions as well. We will erase the record and have it re-transcribed if it’s not done correctly. Any record not transcribed correctly will be deducted from your total.
  • In the off chance that we don’t have enough images to transcribe, GO TAKE PICTURES! We will allow both photos taken and transcriptions completed to count ONLY if there are not enough pictures to transcribe.
  • Make sure you have permission and are welcome to take pictures in your local cemetery before doing so. Remember, private cemeteries require permission of the owner before taking any pictures. No one likes a trespasser! Not cool!
  • This promotion is open to all to participate for free. Registration is required. (Register HERE. Come on.You know you want to. It’s free!)
  • More than one individual may contribute to a single account, however, the limit is one prize redemption per BillionGraves account. The prize will be claimed by only the username the combined work was completed under. BillionGraves will not arbitrate any disputes.  ALL RECORDS MUST BE UNDER ONE ACCOUNT. BILLIONGRAVES WILL NOT COMBINE ACCOUNTS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.
  • Items will ship in 6-8 weeks after contest closes for winners in the U.S. Please allow 8-12 for winners outside the U.S. However, our shipment robots are getting faster!
  • Due to current world-unrest, some areas may increase the amount of time it takes for prizes to be delivered. If for some reason your country isn’t compatible with iPad Mini, we will work with you to provide you with a prize that is equal in value.
  • Recipients will be required to provide a mailing address for physical items.
  • Winners will be required to provided completed tax forms for redemption of the prize
  • REQUIRED: ALL PRIZES MUST BE CLAIMED WITH PROPER MAILING/DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS BY THE 15TH OF JUNE OR YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE PRIZE! WE WILL SEND OUT CONFIRMATION EMAILS BY THE 3RD OF JULY. IF YOU DON’T RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION EMAIL ASKING FOR YOUR ADDRESS, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING IT TO US BY THE 15TH AT SUPPORT@BILLIONGRAVES.COM.

Good luck this month! Be sure to keep your eyes on our social media for tips and exclusive offers on the promotion! FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM 

-The BillionGraves Team