BillionGraves: A Valuable Tool for Genealogists

AI image created using DALL-E and ChatGPT 4

BillionGraves is one of the largest resources for cemetery information, searchable by GPS location. This is distinctly different from many other cemetery databases. Other sites may provide the coordinates for the cemetery itself (and if you're lucky, a plot number) but rarely do you have an opportunity to see the GPS coordinates for the actual interment of the person you're searching for. This is exactly the level of detail BillionGraves provides. And on BillionGraves, unlike some of the other big sites (who shall remain nameless in this post) every entry has an image. This means you won't be seeing "memorials" created only from recent obituaries. You'll see actual headstones and interment locations. If you enjoy visiting cemeteries, this precise information can make locating your relatives much easier!

The site hosts information about cemeteries from around the world. They use both technology and collaboration, with an emphasis on accuracy to grow the database. Volunteers are encouraged to use the free smartphone app to photograph, transcribe and post information about headstones. The GPS coordinates are tagged directly from submitted photos and provide accurate information for others who may want to do additional research or visit the cemetery in person. While there is some overlap with cemeteries on other sites, there are also unique cemeteries (including family plots) you won't find elsewhere. In addition to photographing, there are also numerous other ways volunteers who can't go out and take photos can help! Those opportunities can be viewed here.

BillionGraves has both free and paid (BG Plus) memberships. Both offer access to GPS headstone information, vital record suggestions, and your family tree (based on your tree from FamilySearch.org). With a paid membership, you gain additional GPS headstone collections, higher quality images, more vital records, an expanded tree, as well as nearby graves, family plots, family notifications and alerts, and partner site discounts. They collaborate with MyHeritage to offer you vital record hints, and MyHeritage also provides cemetery hints from BillionGraves on their site.

 BillionGraves offers several features to make researching easier:

• GPS Location: Each gravestone image comes with exact GPS coordinates.
• Images: Every entry has an image.
• Mobile App: Convenient for volunteers to contribute to the database directly from the cemetery or to access specific information when you visit the cemetery in-person.
• Collaboration: BillionGraves partners with various genealogical organizations and groups (such as Eagle Scouts), as well as volunteers, to help grow the database. 

BillionGraves.com is more than just a repository of gravestone images. It's a project connecting the past with the present, helping individuals uncover their family histories by encouraging community and volunteer collaboration. Whether you are a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, BillionGraves offers both valuable and easy to use resources, making it a key tool in your Genealogy Toolbox. They have a Quick Reference Guide and Informational Packet to help get you started. If you're interested in volunteering, there are also free training videos. 

Free membership provides a ton of useful information. Annual membership is 50% off the regular monthly price. But I've seen memberships go on sale for even less! If you're considering joining the site, keep an eye out for deeper discounts. I joined during a great sale, and have remained a loyal member for several years. With BillionGraves, there's no more wondering if you can locate a plot number or wandering around aimlessly looking for a headstone with the name of your relative. 

One of the most refreshing things I found as I was writing this post is BillionGraves attitude towards user submitted data. Unlike other sites (who shall continue to remain nameless in this post) they do not take the attitude user posted content is out of their control. Their Terms of Use say in part "BillionGraves also reserves the right to decide whether content or a user submission is appropriate and complies with these terms and conditions." They do not turn a blind eye. They are committed to the quality and integrity of the data presented on the site.

BillionGraves enhances the experience for both online researchers and those visiting the cemetery. I've been lucky to find quite a few headstone images on this site I wasn't able to locate elsewhere. I'm very thankful for the volunteers who support this project. There are many sites available to us as researchers. No one site will have all the information we may be sleuthing for. BillionGraves.com is an amazing resource for accurate cemetery and interment information.