Frequently Asked Questions
Before contacting us please check the answers to these Frequently Asked Questions.
Volunteering
Q: How can I help expand this valuable, free family history resource?
A: We appreciate all the help we can get. Please see the Volunteer link at left.
Looking for a Person or Cemetery
Q: I'm looking for the grave of my ancestor. Can you tell me where he is buried?
A: All information we have is on the website. If he is not in our database we cannot help, sorry.
Q: Can you tell me more about a particular person or family buried at this cemetery?
A: No. All our information is already shown. A local historical society may be able to help you. There are a few on our links page.
Q: How can I find out where my ancestor's unmarked grave is in this cemetery?
A: See the administration details on the cemetery page. Wherever possible contact details are given for further enquiries.
Q: My ancestor was buried in this cemetery. Why isn't he/she on the list of inscriptions?
A: We mainly list headstone inscriptions. We often do not have information about unmarked graves, which can be up to 25% of all graves.
Q: When will a certain cemetery be listed?
A: We are unable to forecast when any particular cemetery will be added, but you are welcome to list it. See the Volunteer link at left. See also the Latest News/News link at left for work in progress.
Updating or Adding Information
Q: The details on the listing are wrong. Can they be corrected?
A: Yes. Bring up the page with the incorrect information, and submit your suggested changes via the link at the bottom of the page.
Q: Can I add my ancestor to your list?
A: Absolutely. Search for the person first to make sure they are not listed in another cemetery. If not, then display any other inscription from the cemetery in question then click the "Add a new inscription" link at the bottom.
Q: I have just refurbished a grave. Can I submit an updated photo?
A: Yes. The "Update this inscription" link at the bottom of the inscription page can be used to submit a new photo. It should be around 2048 x 1536 pixels in size and be of the headstone only, not the entire grave.
Q: Can I submit a personal photo of the deceased for display on their inscription page?
A: Yes. Use the same method as above for submitting a new photo of the inscription.
Q: Can I submit a transcript/photo for a person in a cemetery that currently has no transcripts?
A: Yes. First look up the Cemetery Id, then use the Add Inscription function on the Update menu.
Purchasing or Repairing Graves
Q: How can I arrange for a headstone to be erected or repaired?
A: Contact a funeral director in the area.
Q: How do I purchase a gravesite at a cemetery?
A: Contact the local council or a funeral director in the area.
General Information
Q: What does the Other Sources link on an inscription page do?
A: It attempts to find that person's details on the following sources:
- Births, Deaths & Marriages (ACT, NSW, QLD and WA only)
- Ryerson Index of death notices
- Military Rolls
- Convict Lists
Q: The Other Sources output shows the wrong person. Why?
A: We lookup the indexes using the person's name, age, date of birth and/or date of death. There is no guarantee it will find the right person.
Q: What does "transcribed by" on inscription listings mean?
A: It refers to the person who supplied us with the transcript. In some cases the actual transcribing may have been done by someone else, or by multiple people, often many years ago.
Q: How many cemeteries / transcripts do you have?
A: See the Latest News/Statistics link at left