This is an exciting and important project in which you will create and add monuments to the web site findagrave.com. There are several steps to this project, and it will take quite a bit of time, so do not take too long to get started. You may do this as an individual or group project, although the requirements change a bit if you do it as a group. Here are the requirements.
1. Visit several local cemeteries, and identify the graves of ten people you might like to create monuments for. Pick three or four more than you will end up with, in case someone has already created a memorial for one or more of your choices (no duplicates allowed). Take a notebook with you, and write down the name of the cemetery, the location of the grave (many cemeteries make available a cemetery plot map, so look online or call the office that manages the cemetery). Write down all the information you can read on both sides of each grave marker (some graves have both head and foot markers). Take a high quality, digital photograph of the marker.
2. Next, you must go into findagrave.com to register and to create a name and password for yourself or your team. Be sure to write down the information in several places. Choose a public name that reflects your status as a Mohawk Warrior. Do not use your real name for your public name, and do not use anything offensive.
3. Then, check the grave registry at Findagrave.com to make sure there are no duplicates in your list of graves. If I find that you have created a memorial for someone who already had one, that memorial will not count toward your ten. Three of the ten must be historically significant graves: The grave of a veteran in any war is historically significant, as are politicians, churchmen of note, etc. Sometimes, the unique design characteristics of a grave marker will make the grave historically significant, even if the person who rests there is not. Ask, if you have doubts.
4. Next, you must create a monument at findagrave.com for each person whose grave you have documented. You will want first of all to include a photo of the grave marker, along with basic information about where the person is buried and what is written on their markers. Later, you will include a more extensive biography. Be sure to write down the memorial number associated with each person. I have a form you may use, or you may design your own: it should include: Name of Cemetery, Location of Cemetery, Location of Grave, Name of Deceased, Dates of Birth/Death, Veteran Status (include war, if they served in one), Memorial Number, and any notes. I like to create a sheet for each person, but some people like a spreadsheet... it is up to you.
5. The next step is to do research to find out more about each person so that you can prepare as complete a biography as possible. One very useful tool for this is the Online database at the Rutherford B. Hayes Obituary Index. This index contains information about most people buried in Ohio since the early 19th Century, including birth, marriage, death, and burial information. It will tell you where you can find a copy of the person's obituary, which is an outstanding source of information for your memorial. I recommend doing an Online google search on the person, too... you never know! Another great place to look is FamilySearch.org, where you can find copies of death certificates for many people. If you create memorials for family members, ask permission to place a photograph on your memorial. I have a scanner, if you do not.
6. Once you have gotten as much biographical information as you can, complete your memorials. I recommend looking at several others before beginning your own, so that you will get a feel for what a well-designed memorial looks like. Be careful about spelling and photo placement (no upside down photos, please!).
7. Compose a three- to four-page, typed reflective essay in which you discuss your project (if working in a team, each team member must have their own). Include the following: When did you start working on the project? When did you finish it? What were some problems you encountered along the way to completion? What are some of the highlights of your work - did you discover something really interesting, unique, or simply memorable about any of the people you researched? Did anyone help you? What research tools did you use? How do you feel about participating in such an important worldwide project? How did this project help you understand the story of America? If working on a team, how was the work shared?
7. Decorate a binder, and include your header information. If working as a team, include all the members of your team. Include in your binder: your reflective essay or essays, your data sheets or spreadsheets, any notes you might have taken, and mounted copies of any obituaries, photographs or other documents you found.
8. You must turn in a final presentation draft of your project by Friday, May 8. I recommend you turn it in earlier, so that if you have to re-do something, you will have time to make it better.
Updated 8/26/2013.
1. Visit several local cemeteries, and identify the graves of ten people you might like to create monuments for. Pick three or four more than you will end up with, in case someone has already created a memorial for one or more of your choices (no duplicates allowed). Take a notebook with you, and write down the name of the cemetery, the location of the grave (many cemeteries make available a cemetery plot map, so look online or call the office that manages the cemetery). Write down all the information you can read on both sides of each grave marker (some graves have both head and foot markers). Take a high quality, digital photograph of the marker.
2. Next, you must go into findagrave.com to register and to create a name and password for yourself or your team. Be sure to write down the information in several places. Choose a public name that reflects your status as a Mohawk Warrior. Do not use your real name for your public name, and do not use anything offensive.
3. Then, check the grave registry at Findagrave.com to make sure there are no duplicates in your list of graves. If I find that you have created a memorial for someone who already had one, that memorial will not count toward your ten. Three of the ten must be historically significant graves: The grave of a veteran in any war is historically significant, as are politicians, churchmen of note, etc. Sometimes, the unique design characteristics of a grave marker will make the grave historically significant, even if the person who rests there is not. Ask, if you have doubts.
4. Next, you must create a monument at findagrave.com for each person whose grave you have documented. You will want first of all to include a photo of the grave marker, along with basic information about where the person is buried and what is written on their markers. Later, you will include a more extensive biography. Be sure to write down the memorial number associated with each person. I have a form you may use, or you may design your own: it should include: Name of Cemetery, Location of Cemetery, Location of Grave, Name of Deceased, Dates of Birth/Death, Veteran Status (include war, if they served in one), Memorial Number, and any notes. I like to create a sheet for each person, but some people like a spreadsheet... it is up to you.
5. The next step is to do research to find out more about each person so that you can prepare as complete a biography as possible. One very useful tool for this is the Online database at the Rutherford B. Hayes Obituary Index. This index contains information about most people buried in Ohio since the early 19th Century, including birth, marriage, death, and burial information. It will tell you where you can find a copy of the person's obituary, which is an outstanding source of information for your memorial. I recommend doing an Online google search on the person, too... you never know! Another great place to look is FamilySearch.org, where you can find copies of death certificates for many people. If you create memorials for family members, ask permission to place a photograph on your memorial. I have a scanner, if you do not.
6. Once you have gotten as much biographical information as you can, complete your memorials. I recommend looking at several others before beginning your own, so that you will get a feel for what a well-designed memorial looks like. Be careful about spelling and photo placement (no upside down photos, please!).
7. Compose a three- to four-page, typed reflective essay in which you discuss your project (if working in a team, each team member must have their own). Include the following: When did you start working on the project? When did you finish it? What were some problems you encountered along the way to completion? What are some of the highlights of your work - did you discover something really interesting, unique, or simply memorable about any of the people you researched? Did anyone help you? What research tools did you use? How do you feel about participating in such an important worldwide project? How did this project help you understand the story of America? If working on a team, how was the work shared?
7. Decorate a binder, and include your header information. If working as a team, include all the members of your team. Include in your binder: your reflective essay or essays, your data sheets or spreadsheets, any notes you might have taken, and mounted copies of any obituaries, photographs or other documents you found.
8. You must turn in a final presentation draft of your project by Friday, May 8. I recommend you turn it in earlier, so that if you have to re-do something, you will have time to make it better.
Updated 8/26/2013.