Strategy: Cemetery Plot Purchase Records
By Dale E. Lee and AI
2024.11.27
Cemetery Plot Purchase Records
One lesser-known but surprisingly valuable strategy in genealogical research is investigating cemetery plot purchase records. Many genealogists focus on obituaries, headstone inscriptions, and cemetery indexes to find information about ancestors, but plot purchase records can reveal insights not typically found in other sources. These records are specific to the purchase transaction and often contain details about the buyer, purchase dates, and even information about other family members. The following can enhance your research and help you uncover hidden family connections and histories.
1. Understanding Cemetery Plot Purchase Records
Cemeteries, particularly those privately or municipally operated, often maintained extensive records of who purchased burial plots. Unlike death certificates or obituaries, which may only contain the name of the deceased, plot purchase records can reveal who bought the plot, which may be a family member or spouse. This seemingly minor detail can help identify family connections that might not appear in other historical documents.
For example, if you discover that a grandparent bought a plot that holds not only their spouse but also a previously unknown sibling or child, this may lead you to new family connections or even entire branches of the family tree. Plot purchase records are especially valuable when researching families with common surnames, where pinpointing specific connections can be challenging.
2. Locating Plot Purchase Records
Not all cemeteries retain plot purchase records, but for those that do, these records are typically held in cemetery offices, local archives, or municipal records if the cemetery is publicly managed. Here are a few ways to access them:
– Contact the Cemetery Office: If the cemetery is still active, reach out to the office directly. They may have physical or digital records of plot sales. Some larger cemeteries have dedicated archives or historical sections where plot purchase records are stored.
– Visit Local Historical Societies or Archives: Sometimes, cemeteries transfer their older records to local historical societies or public archives, especially if the cemetery is no longer in operation. Municipal archives often keep records for public cemeteries, especially in larger cities.
– Check Online Databases: Although plot purchase records aren’t widely digitized, some genealogy websites are beginning to include this information in their databases. Websites like FindAGrave or BillionGraves focus on tombstone images but may also include burial records or additional notes about plot ownership.
3. Additional Information in Plot Purchase Records
Plot purchase records usually contain details that can provide valuable context for your family history, such as:
– Purchaser’s Name: This is often a spouse or close relative, giving clues to family relationships. Seeing the same name appear on several plots may suggest a connection among the deceased, even if it’s not immediately apparent.
– Purchase Date: The purchase date can provide insight into when a family member passed away or when the family experienced a significant loss. For instance, if you see a bulk purchase for multiple plots, this may indicate an event that affected several family members at once.
– Family Plot Clues: Families often purchased plots in groups or sections. If you see several plots purchased by the same individual, this may indicate an unmarked family section or allow you to infer where other family members may be buried.
– Residency or Address Information: Occasionally, plot purchase records include addresses for the purchaser, which can help confirm that you’re looking at records for the right person, especially if the surname is common.
4. Analyzing Plot Purchase Records for New Leads
Once you’ve obtained cemetery plot purchase records, try to cross-reference this information with other genealogical sources. Here’s how:
– Compare with Census Records: Using the purchaser’s name and address, check census records from around the same time. You may be able to discover additional family members living at the same address.
– Look for Probate Records: The purchase of a cemetery plot can sometimes coincide with a probate event. This could mean that a will or estate record might be on file, pointing to additional family information.
– Verify Relationships: A plot purchaser may have bought multiple plots over time, especially if they were responsible for multiple family members’ burials. Check death certificates, obituaries, and even city directories from the same period to cross-reference who might be buried in each plot.
5. Exploring Hidden Family Connections in Family Plots
Family plots can reveal complex family relationships, especially in cases where extended family members were buried in the same area. This may include children who died young, unmarried relatives, or individuals who were otherwise omitted from public records. For example, discovering a great-aunt or cousin buried in a family plot could lead to new family branches to explore.
– Identifying Unmarked Graves: Plot purchase records sometimes indicate unused or unmarked plots that were bought but never documented as graves. If the records show an individual purchased a plot but no grave marker exists, you may find that an ancestor’s grave was left unmarked, leading to potential discoveries in family history.
– Tracing Migration Patterns: Plot records can sometimes indicate movement patterns. If you notice a family bought plots in different cemeteries across regions, this might reflect migration patterns, offering clues about why certain family members moved or settled in a new location.
6. Challenges and Tips for Accessing Plot Purchase Records
While cemetery plot purchase records are valuable, there are challenges in accessing them:
– Privacy Restrictions: Some cemetery offices restrict access to purchase records, especially for more recent burials. If this happens, check with local government offices or archives where older records are likely to be public.
– Record Deterioration: Plot purchase records may not be well-preserved in older cemeteries. If physical records are degraded, inquire if digital copies exist or if the cemetery is planning any restoration efforts.
– Documentation Fees: Some cemeteries may charge for access to records or for a copy of plot purchases, so be sure to confirm any fees beforehand.
Conclusion
Cemetery plot purchase records are a unique tool that can provide context and connections not available elsewhere. By looking beyond standard death records and gravestone inscriptions, you can uncover hidden relationships, discover unmarked graves, and piece together family histories that might otherwise remain unknown. Incorporating this resource into your genealogy research toolkit could be useful in unlocking a more complete picture of your family’s past.
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