Memorial Day Memories

For Memorial Day this year I scanned photos of our grandparents, labeled them with their names, laminated them and attached them to skewers.  On the back I put the following:  

                 "We are gathering memories of a rich heritage filled
                   with amazing individuals you can learn more about
                   them at our family blog:   (blog address was added).
                   If you have stories, photos, or memories you would
                  like to share please contact:  (email address was added)."

As we went to the various graves these photos were placed in the ground by the headstones.  It was fun to see the reaction of the grandchildren as they were able to put a name and a face together.  It was also interesting to see the reaction of the various extended family members.  The photos lead to reflections and comments which lead to stories and ultimately I was able to locate several other graves that I was previously unaware of.

I visited my Olsen relatives by myself on a warm day just prior to Memorial Day.  I later received a phone call from Uncle Paul and Aunt Jean indicating that they had seen the photos and enjoyed the memories they prompted! It was a fun idea that I hope to repeat!

I actually put the photos in a separate file so that next year, if I choose to do so, I can simply reprint them and continue to add to my Memorial Day memories.

Memorial Day Memories

Memorial Day is the perfect opportunity to do some family history with the family!  We traditionally visit the grave sites of our grandparents to decorate them with flags (for the veterans) and flowers.

Since we were going to be at the cemetery I decided to take my cell phone and use the GPS feature and the Billion Graves app to take photos of family graves, upload them to the internet and then transcribe them into the Billion Graves database making them searchable for anyone, anytime, any where in the world!  Plus it is amazing technology and a lot of fun!  By the way did I mention that the Billion Graves app is FREE?

The other cool thing about this app is that you simply point and shoot the picture.  You then upload to the website at your convenience and the photos are placed in a file where you can either transcribe and edit them or simply turn them over to the general public and someone else will do that for you.  The app, using the GPS feature in your smartphone determines the latitude and longitude of the grave, the name of the cemetery you took the photo in and maps the gravesite for you!  Love it!

 I also take a photo of the cemetery sign--two reasons for this:  First I have a poor memory and it helps me remember who is buried where, and secondly it is nice in my genealogy file to have this information for others.  I am amazed how many cemeteries are listed under several names and having the sign as a starting point really helps.

My paternal grandparents

My Dad's brother and my Uncle Joe

I hope to add this tradition to my vacation list and as we travel to take the time to stop and seek out the burial spots of other ancestors to add to my family history database.  It helps these relatives become real individuals for me.  P.S.:  as we reflected over memories at the graveside of Kevin's parents with his sisters I was quietly compiling a list of places I need to visit and document!  Happy Memorial Day family and to our ancestors--thanks for the legacy of love you left us!