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Archiver > CEMETERY > 1999-11 > 0941644848


From: "John J. Spaulding" <>
Subject: Re: [CEMETERY-L] Fw: Standards for transcribing cemeteries
Date: Wed, 03 Nov 1999 11:00:48 -0500


"Peter M. & Andrea D. MacDonald" wrote:

>
> > I have been discussing standards for transcribing records with another
> > group and cemetery transcriptions was the model used for discussion.
> >
> > Are there any standards which already exist?
> >
> > Does AGS have standards they support?

>From time to time, people on this list have asked about available
databases for recording cemetery data. The following is an expanded
version of what is posted in the "FAQ" section of the AGS web page at
http://www.berkshire.net/ags/qdatabase.shtml

AGS Database Standard Software

The AGS Database is a dBase file in the PC format and runs on Windows
3.1/95/98 under MS-DOS.

It consists of two databases for recording gravestones. One is used for
recording individual gravestones and the other for recording data on the
cemetery. The two databases are tied together using the five digit
cemetery number so the cemetery location data is entered only once. The
database has been thoroughly tested and improved since its development
in 1990. In Rhode Island alone, it had been used to record more than
380,000 stones and 2,900 cemeteries as of May 1998.

The CEMETERY database records the location, ownership, physical
characteristics and amenities, as well as other information entered in
the comment section. The GRAVESTONE database records all of the
information on the gravestone in a searchable format. For the gravestone
researcher there is a section for recording the stone characteristics
and dimensions. The cemetery data section links to the CEMETERY
database and notes the recorder/transcriber. Drop-down menus
facilitate searching the databases; a soundex search compensates for the
various spelling of surnames that appear on gravestones. A number of
report formats are included for both cemetery and gravestone data.
Selected data can be exported to any database or report writer that can
utilize the dBase format.

Three groups of researchers can benefit from this easy-to-use database
with search and report capabilities: genealogists, gravestone
researchers, and gravestone photographers. The twenty-eight page manual
describes the two databases and adds tips on how best to use it based on
the extensive use over the past ten years.

There is a memo field, in both the GRAVESTONE database and the CEMETERY
database, into which over six pages of notes can be added. In the
GRAVESTONE database the memo field can be used to record verses,
additional gravestone characteristics or to add genealogical data about
the individual. In the CEMETERY database, the memo field can be used to
store detailed directions to a cemetery, cemetery history, additional
descriptive notes, dates of visits, etc.

For gravestone photographers, the cemetery map number can be used to
sequentially number all photographs in a collection. The cemetery
section number can be used for the location of a photograph (box, album,
folder, etc.). The memo field can be used to document camera settings
and
film specifications. The CEMETERY database will document the exact
location of a group of photographs taken in one cemetery.

$19.95 for members, $21.95 others plus $3.50 postage and handling
The database is sold with a satisfaction guarantee - if it doesn't do
what you need it to do, return it for a refund

Order the AGS Database from the AGS Office
278 Main Street Suite 207
Greenfield, MA 01301
(413)772-0836
http://www.berkshire.net/ags/store.shtml

John J. Spaulding
Connecticut Gravestone Network
http://members.aol.com/ctgravenet/index.ht

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