International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies - Cemetery Project

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IAJGS International Jewish Cemetery Project's
BURIAL IDENTIFICATION DAY


Instructions for Identifying and Recording Jewish Burials


Based on the contribution of
AARON ROSS
1997 Eagle Project --Troop 18 of Owings Mills, Maryland
Baltimore Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

Aaron acknowledged the contribution of Dick Goldman, without whom this project would not have been possible, who originally suggested a burial identification project, and who provided the information in "How to Read Jewish Gravestones".

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Purpose and Goals
  2. How to Establish a Cemetery Site
  3. Preparation for the Event
  4. Burial Information Form
  5. How to Read Jewish Gravestones
  6. Arrival at the Cemetery for the Day
  7. After the Documentation
Appendix A: Sample Announcement
Appendix B: Burial Information Form
Appendix C: Sign In Sheet
Appendix D: "How to Read Jewish Gravestones"

Purpose and Goals


The project seeks to identify undocumented burials for the IAJGS International Jewish Cemetery Project and the JOWBR, a cooperative venture of International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies and JewishGen. Names collected during a Burial Identification Day enter the JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry (OWBR) http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/cemetery. Burial SITE documentation enters http://www.jewishgen.org/Cemetery, an online compendium of all worldwide Jewish burial sites. The following pages include information and instructions to carry out a Jewish Cemetery Documentation Project of your own, very easily with proper planning and minimal materials. In addition, contributing to this project is an invaluable aid to those tracing Jewish roots and as well as perpetuating the memory of our ancestors.

How to Establish a Cemetery Site for Documentation

First, find a cemetery in need of documentation. A good portion of Jewish cemeteries are in poor condition and lack permanent documentation. Contact the local historical society or the Jewish Genealogy Society in your area to obtain a list of Jewish cemeteries. Next, contact people responsible for maintaining these sites to ascertain the condition of their records. After identifying target cemeteries, visit the site to understand its conditions. Some cemeteries are too large to record in one day. In that case, pick a suitable section for the number of volunteers you intend to enlist.

Make a Preliminary Visit to the Cemetery

You should visit the cemetery well before the project to learn what will be needed to conduct the documentation.

Preparation for the Event

ATTRACTING VOLUNTEERS: Set a Date for the Project (Decide on a rain date.)

ANNOUNCE THE PROJECT

PREPARE A FLYER. A sample flyer is shown in Appendix A. The announcement should contain the following information:
PREPARE PUBLICITY. Possible places to publicize the event include:

PREPARE THE INFORMATION FORMS:

The Appendix contains forms to collect the burial information. You can photocopy those forms or use them as a guide to develop your own.
BURIAL INFORMATION FORM: This form is used to document the information on the grave marker and should include the following information. A sample is shown in Appendix B.
SIGN UP SHEET: This sheet is used to identify the volunteers who worked on the project, and tracks the rows that have been worked. A sample is shown in Appendix C contains the following information:
HOW TO READ JEWISH GRAVESTONES" FORM:
Appendix D provides common phrases and symbols that may be found on Jewish grave markers. Prepare a "How to Read Jewish Gravestones Help Sheet" from these materials. Gary Mokotoff, publisher of Avotaynu, graciously extended permission to the IAJGS International Jewish Cemetery Project to reproduce two Spring 2000 articles about Jewish tombstones on the IAJGS International Jewish Cemetery Project website. Common Hebrew Abbreviations on Tombstones"-p. 29 and "More About Reading Jewish Tombstones" on p. 31. See Reading Hebrew Tombstones, a JewishGen Infofile at http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/tombstones.html to assist with creation of a "How to Read Jewish Gravestones Help Sheet."

How to Document a Jewish Burial

Appendix A: Sample Announcement
Appendix B: Burial Information Form
Appendix C: Sign In Sheet
Appendix D: "How to Read Jewish Gravestones" Form


Supplies can be solicited from local businesses. Gather the following supplies to be used for the project:


Prepare Identification Signs

Prepare Location Signs:
Prepare a sign that can be put at the entrance to the cemetery, announcing the project. If the cemetery is a large one, you may need to make signs that direct cars where to park, and direct the people where to go.
Make Row Identification Markers
Prepare a set of row identification markers that will be used to help the volunteers find the rows. These markers can be created on a computer or handwritten on paper or cardboard with waterproof magic markers. You may wish to encase the markers in a plastic cover. Additionally, in certain conditions, you may want to create permanent row markers that will be helpful to later cemetery visitors.
Mount the Markers
Mount the markers so that the volunteers can easily see them. You can attach the row identification to a tongue depressor, wooden dowel, garden stake, or thin wire flag marker.
Refreshments:
Consider refreshments. Cold or hot drinks are appreciated, depending upon the season. Caution volunteers to replenish fluids.
Confirm Commitments:
Follow-up on the announcements by contacting people who express interest in the project. This will enable you to determine the quantity of materials to bring.

Items to Bring on the Day of the Project

  • Optional items:
    • Refreshments
    • Table to hold papers and refreshments
    • Chairs
    • Camera and film to document the event
    • Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
    • Hammer, drill, masking tape (may be needed to install row markers, location signs)
    • Dining tent or tarp for shade
    • First Aid Kit

  • Arrival at the Cemetery for Documentation Day

    • Plan to arrive early!

    Set Up the Site

    • Install Location Signs and Row Markers
    • Set up a Sign-In Station (preferably in the shade or sun, depending on the season)
    • Set out the Sign Up Sheets, Burial Information Forms, Hebrew Phrase Help Sheets, pens, and clipboards

    Greet and Direct Arrivals

    You may want someone directing volunteers to parking and/or Sign In.

    Instructions for the Volunteers

    Distribute Materials. Volunteers can work individually or in pairs. At least, one volunteer in the pair who can read Hebrew is helpful. Give each pair the following material:
    • Burial Information Forms
    • How to Read Jewish Gravestones
    • Help Sheet
    • Pen
    • Clipboard
    Explain the Procedure and How to Select Gravestones to Record:

    Each volunteer will sign up for a row to document. See: Sign-In Sheet [Appendix C] for that purpose.
    Explain How to Record the Burial Information
    Volunteers will use the Burial Information Form (Appendix B) to record as much information as possible from graves in their selected row. The information that must be filled in is as follows:
    • Cemetery Name (provided by the project leader)
    • Section Name (provided by the project leader)
    • Row Number (selected by the volunteer on the Sign In Sheet)
    • Grave Number (determined by counting; Grave #1 is the first in the row, Grave #2 is the second, and so on. If there is an empty space, then skip that number)
    • English Name of deceased
    • Date of death. Be sure to write the date as 4-digits!
    • Other information that should be recorded, if possible, includes:
    • Date of birth. Be sure to write the date as 4-digits!
    • Age at death
    • Sex
    • Hebrew Name (TRANSLITERATED, e.g. "Yehuda")
    • Son/daughter of (ben or bat)
    • Hebrew Date of death (TRANSLITERATED, e.g. 14 Adar 5687)
    • Distinguishing features on the stone such as significant ornamentation: Cohen. s hands, candelabra, photograph, Star of David
    • Cohen or Levite

    Reminders

      Sign Up for a Row: Remember to sign up for a row to work to avoid duplication of work.
      Completed Forms: Tell the volunteers where to place completed forms.
      Safety: Remind volunteers that they should not lean on the headstones, since they may be unstable. Inform volunteers where to report in case of injury or illness.

    After the Documentation

    After the documentation is complete, the burial information needs to be compiled and distributed.

    Sending the Burial Information to Appropriate Organizations

  • Make photocopies of the Burial Information forms and send them to the following places: Other organizations may use an automated format. They may appreciate receiving your documentation as a computerized database. Be sure to use a 4-digit year in your format! Always include the Country, State/Province, County/District, City, Cemetery Name and Section.

    All individuals involved in the creation of this project are volunteers.
    The right to make one copy for personal use with full citation is hereby granted;
    however, no profit is to be made from the use of this website's information.
    Cemetery Project
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    No reply will be made to inquiries about specific burials. All information that we possess is on the website. We have no other information so please do not write requesting any on either burial sites or individual burials.
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    Revised Tuesday, August 30, 2005 16:41:00