I am happy knowing that I'm not the only one who: 1) thinks cemeteries are fascinating and often very beautiful, peaceful places; and, 2) is addicted to family history research.

The vast majority of memorials I've created are the result of having photographed headstones of people who are total strangers to me. In doing so, my hope always has been that this helps family and friends find their loved ones. When I first seriously started researching my family history, of course I discovered findagrave. I'll never forget what a thrill it was to see the headstones --- with complete birth and death dates, woo-hoo! --- of my great-grandparents. A total stranger photographed those headstones, bless his heart ... and here I am, thousands of photos of strangers' headstones later. (-:

Happy family history sleuthing,
Amy

************************************
On copying photos found on findagrave to ancestry.com or elsewhere:
************************************
1) Ask permission.
2) Document the source of the photo.

This will put you on the right side of copyright law, findagrave policy and ancestry.com's "Content Submission Agreement" when using photos you didn't take yourself.

RE: Step 1 - I give permission.
RE: Step 2 - In the photo description, say that the photo is from findagrave.com and used with my permission. Adding the memorial number is a good idea, too.

For other uses besides ancestry.com, please contact me. I'm interested in hearing how else my photos are helpful!

************************************
On cenotaphs:
************************************
A cenotaph memorial is not a duplicate memorial.

Quoting from "Help with Find a Grave":
What is a cenotaph? How do I have a memorial designated as a cenotaph?
A cenotaph is a marker within a cemetery placed in honor of a person whose remains are elsewhere. It may also be the original marker for someone who has since been reinterred elsewhere.

It is possible for a deceased person to have multiple memorials due to having cenotaphs. Each headstone or marker (in different cemetery locations) should have its own memorial. If there is a cenotaph within a cemetery and the remains were 'not buried in a cemetery' (having an other burial type), then the cenotaph in the cemetery should be the only memorial on Find a Grave. The information about the other burial type can be added to the cenotaph page in the biography (e.g. cremated, ashes scattered).

You can designate a memorial as a Cenotaph when adding a memorial and also editing or suggesting edits for a memorial. On the Add Memorial page, you will see other options as you scroll down under Gravesite Details. Open 'Additional grave marker options.' Label the memorial as a Cenotaph by using the toggle switch. When you have filled out all known fields, select Add Memorial.

It is similar on the Edit or Suggest Edits page for a memorial. Select Edit or Suggest Edits. Scroll down and you will see other options under Gravesite Details. Open 'Additional grave marker options.' Label the memorial as a Cenotaph by using the toggle switch and save your changes.

When both a cenotaph/monument and the actual burial exist, only add relationship links to the actual burial memorial. When a memorial with the actual burial location doesn't exist and there are multiple cenotaph locations or cenotaph and monument locations, add relationship links to one of the memorials and then hyperlink to the other memorials through the biography.

Memorial plaques, memorial bricks, roadside accident memorials, and state and local service monuments are not considered cenotaphs and are not allowed.

I am happy knowing that I'm not the only one who: 1) thinks cemeteries are fascinating and often very beautiful, peaceful places; and, 2) is addicted to family history research.

The vast majority of memorials I've created are the result of having photographed headstones of people who are total strangers to me. In doing so, my hope always has been that this helps family and friends find their loved ones. When I first seriously started researching my family history, of course I discovered findagrave. I'll never forget what a thrill it was to see the headstones --- with complete birth and death dates, woo-hoo! --- of my great-grandparents. A total stranger photographed those headstones, bless his heart ... and here I am, thousands of photos of strangers' headstones later. (-:

Happy family history sleuthing,
Amy

************************************
On copying photos found on findagrave to ancestry.com or elsewhere:
************************************
1) Ask permission.
2) Document the source of the photo.

This will put you on the right side of copyright law, findagrave policy and ancestry.com's "Content Submission Agreement" when using photos you didn't take yourself.

RE: Step 1 - I give permission.
RE: Step 2 - In the photo description, say that the photo is from findagrave.com and used with my permission. Adding the memorial number is a good idea, too.

For other uses besides ancestry.com, please contact me. I'm interested in hearing how else my photos are helpful!

************************************
On cenotaphs:
************************************
A cenotaph memorial is not a duplicate memorial.

Quoting from "Help with Find a Grave":
What is a cenotaph? How do I have a memorial designated as a cenotaph?
A cenotaph is a marker within a cemetery placed in honor of a person whose remains are elsewhere. It may also be the original marker for someone who has since been reinterred elsewhere.

It is possible for a deceased person to have multiple memorials due to having cenotaphs. Each headstone or marker (in different cemetery locations) should have its own memorial. If there is a cenotaph within a cemetery and the remains were 'not buried in a cemetery' (having an other burial type), then the cenotaph in the cemetery should be the only memorial on Find a Grave. The information about the other burial type can be added to the cenotaph page in the biography (e.g. cremated, ashes scattered).

You can designate a memorial as a Cenotaph when adding a memorial and also editing or suggesting edits for a memorial. On the Add Memorial page, you will see other options as you scroll down under Gravesite Details. Open 'Additional grave marker options.' Label the memorial as a Cenotaph by using the toggle switch. When you have filled out all known fields, select Add Memorial.

It is similar on the Edit or Suggest Edits page for a memorial. Select Edit or Suggest Edits. Scroll down and you will see other options under Gravesite Details. Open 'Additional grave marker options.' Label the memorial as a Cenotaph by using the toggle switch and save your changes.

When both a cenotaph/monument and the actual burial exist, only add relationship links to the actual burial memorial. When a memorial with the actual burial location doesn't exist and there are multiple cenotaph locations or cenotaph and monument locations, add relationship links to one of the memorials and then hyperlink to the other memorials through the biography.

Memorial plaques, memorial bricks, roadside accident memorials, and state and local service monuments are not considered cenotaphs and are not allowed.