Types of Gravestones: from Fieldstone to Granite
Understanding the different types of gravestones used throughout history can help genealogists and family historians figure out when a marker was placed. Our ancestors were likely to have grave markers made of one of the following materials depending on when they lived: Types of Gravestones:…
Cave Hill Cemetery – One of America’s Most Beautiful Cemeteries
Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky is one of America’s most beautiful cemeteries. From the moment you cross through the majestic Victorian entrance gates at Cave Hill Cemetery, you leave the world behind. No more honking horns, traffic jams, or flashy lights. It’s all peace and…
Cemeteries by the Sea
Cemeteries by the sea range from the breathtakingly beautiful to those being threatened by erosion to wash away. Here are ten of them. Cemeteries by the Sea #1 Waverley Cemetery in New South Wales, Australia Waverley Cemetery, in the suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales,…
How to Use the BillionGraves App to Take Photos of Gravestones
Have you ever wondered how to use the BillionGraves app to take photos of gravestones? BillionGraves has some awesome volunteers, but we need even more! If you take photos of gravestones in your local cemetery, you are likely to help someone who lives too far…
Ancient Greece and the Modern Cemetery
Ancient Greece and the modern cemetery share many of the same symbols. From the flaming Olympic torch, to laurel wreaths, and classical columns, Greek influence can be seen in nearly every cemetery in the Western world. Beginning about 800 BC, the wealthy elite created monuments…
An Awesome BillionGraves Eagle Scout Project
An awesome BillionGraves Eagle Scout project like this one doesn’t come along every day! BillionGraves’ mission is about connecting families and finding ancestors. Eagle Scout candidate Maxwell Ethington has done an amazing job of giving others the opportunity to extend their family tree and providing…
Unusual Cemeteries from Around the World
Unusual cemeteries are found in countries all around the world – here are ten that will surprise and amaze you – from gravesites with gorgeous statues to cliff-hanging coffins. Discover the unique ways different cultures honor their deceased loved ones. Before you know it, you’ll…
Freemasons Gravestone Symbols
Freemasons are the largest and most widely recognized fraternity with over 6 million members worldwide. Members are commonly referred to as Masons and leaders become Master Masons. We often think of “a mason” as a worker who uses bricks, concrete blocks, or natural stones to build…
The 10 Largest National Cemeteries in the USA
The 10 largest national cemeteries in the USA are some of the final resting places for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve freedom. Behind each gravestone is a story of courage, deserving a moment of quiet awe. What is a National Cemetery? A US…
American Revolution Gravestone Symbols
American Revolution gravestone symbols preserve the story of an important chapter in US history, a war for independence from 1775 to 1783. The American Revolution was fought over who had the authority to impose taxes – Britain or those governing Britain’s 13 colonies in America….
The Burial Site of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their Families
The burial site of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is considered a holy place in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. These early prophets were buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, Israel. Their wives Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah are also buried there, as are other ancient religious…
Cemetery Picnics our Ancestors Attended
Cemetery picnics? Those two words hardly seem to go together. But yes, cemetery picnics were a thing! And maybe, just maybe, YOUR ancestors attended them. Today, cemetery picnics may seem morbid or even creepy, but it was a common practice in the 1800s and early…