Understanding Jewish Gravestones
If you’ve spent much time in cemeteries, you’ve probably seen some matzevot or Jewish gravestones. You may have wondered – what is the significance of the rocks placed on them? Why are some of the gravestones vertical and some horizontal? Or what do the inscriptions…
Portraits in Stone
Families have been immortalizing their loved ones with portraits in stone on their gravesites for thousands of years. After all, it’s hard to lose the people you love. So we rationalize that if we could have just one last look at their face, it might…
Australian Gravestone Symbols
Waverley Cemetery in the suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world – and it’s a great place to learn about Australian gravestone symbols. Waverly Cemetery is perched on high cliffs overlooking the…
Cemetery Angels
Some of the most touching graveside monuments are cemetery angels. The angels appear in many forms. There are angels dressed in flowing robes with feathery wings and joyful smiles. Others are serious guardians of the deceased, bearing swords. Some carry crosses or flowers. Some angels…
Insider Secrets from BillionGraves Super-Fans
Straight from BillionGraves Super-Fans, here are some insider secrets, professional tips, and new perspectives! These great ideas will help you become a better cemetery photographer, a more efficient data transcriber, and a more effective genealogist! Insider Secret #1: Finding a Cemetery that Needs Photos A…
Mayflower Family Gravestones
Mayflower family gravestones help tell the story of the 102 passengers who set sail for America in the year 1620 with hopes of a better life and a place where they and their children could worship in peace. This was the Mayflower’s first cross-Atlantic trip…
10 Catholic Gravestone Symbols
Catholic gravestone symbols can be confusing if you don’t understand what they mean – but inspiring if you do! This blog post will explore the meaning behind ten Catholic symbols at the cemetery. Grandma Mary Two of my grandparents were Protestant and two were Catholic,…
Remembrance Day: Lest We Forget
On November 11th, 1918 the guns fell silent across Europe as the Treaty of Versailles was signed to signify the end of World War I. And now this year – November 11, 2019 – commemorates the 101st anniversary of this event, a day that has…
20 Creative Eagle Scout Project Ideas
Looking for a creative Eagle Scout Project idea? That can be challenging, but you have come to the right place for some awesome suggestions! Having a creative Eagle Scout Project idea is important because it will be easier to recruit volunteers if your project is…
Club, Society, & Fraternity Gravestone Symbols: Part 3
Club, society, and fraternity gravestone symbols can give you clues about your ancestor’s lives. And you never know when the slightest clue might help you add another generation to your family tree! This is the third post of a three-part blog series to explore the…
Club, Society, and Fraternity Gravestone Symbols: Part 2
Club, society, and fraternity gravestone symbols tell a story about the person buried there. But that is only helpful if you understand what the symbols mean. Once you understand the symbols, you will know more about that person’s life story. The symbols could even guide…
10 Best Fall Foliage Cemetery Trips
Alright, leaf-peepers, ready for a road trip!? Here are 10 of the best fall foliage cemetery trips you could take this year! Cemeteries are the perfect place to enjoy autumn because they are often designed as park-like settings where you can surround yourself in a…