Find A Grave Corrections

This evening I took a look at the messages I've received on Find A Grave.

I've received many responses to messages I sent pointing out typos, inconsistencies and errors in the hundreds of memorials I have visited since I became a member. I'm pleased to report that almost everyone graciously acknowledged my comments and many indicated that they made the necessary changes.

A couple of respondents pointed out that I could make the changes myself using the Edit tab. I haven't learned how to do that yet. I'm uncomfortable changing the work of someone else unless I am in contact with them. Apparently, the way it works is the person who finds the error makes the correction and then it's forwarded to the person in charge of the memorial for review and approval. This speeds up the process and relieves the workload on those managing the memorials. Maybe I'll try that next time. There are always things to learn.

Dick Henthorn
27 Mar 2017

FindAGrave

I've been making good use of the memorial posts that others have done on FindAGrave. I thank them for their efforts.

I've created a few Virtual Cemeteries and I have shared suggestions for corrections with some of the people who posted.

I haven't created any memorials myself.

I'm frustrated by the number of inconsistencies I'm finding in what folks post. I'm not sure yet what is causing so many problems to crop up.  My initial inclination is to blame the problems on the failure to proofread the work.

Checking three things would improve the quality of what's being posted.

Compare:

• The dates of birth and death posted at the top of the memorial with
• Dates of birth and death listed in any shared obituary information with
• Dates of birth and death shown on any tombstone photographs.

If there's a typo fix the problem.  If the dates come from various sources and you can't be certain which is correct, make a comment in the "text" to let your reader know that you are aware of the inconsistency.

Dick Henthorn

5 March 2015