Burial Ground

The top is dedicated to the destination/name of the site & is easier to keep a short code.

Grid Reference
Used to confirm the location of the burial ground, national grid reference for all memorials.

Denomination
Assessing the historical context of the burials. Abbreviated code for each denomination can be selected: suggested codes are given in the table below. Cemeteries may have different zones for different denominations. So use the appropriate code when recording. The code refers to the burial area not the individual. 0 No denomination 1 Anglican (Church of England, in Wales, of Scotland, in Ireland etc) 2 Non Anglican (nonconformists, Roman Catholics etc are buried in the consecrated area) 3 Methodist 4 Baptist 5 Presbyterian 6 Roman Catholic 7 Jewish

Recorder and Date

Name of recorder and the date the record was made.

Memorial Number
Each memorial should have a separate, individual number. By using the burial ground code and the memorial number, it is possible to give each monument a unique identifier. Drawing a map later may be helpful to understand the position in relation to the memorial number.

The inscription
Upper and lower case letters should be used exactly as it is on the headstone. But there is no need in trying to copy the writing style that has been used. Try to write in the same layout that is used on the stone. If there is any decoration between the lettering/text this should be drawn on in the inscription box. If there is text on more than one face, it should be broken up in the inscription box or maybe overlay the inscription box with another, numbering the faces on the pictures. Use a compass to note which inscriptions belong where. 18th century writing can sometimes use the f for an s, ye (the), relict (surviving spouse, normally widow), Aet (the Latin Aetatis, meaning age) may also be found on older memorials.

Illegible inscriptions
Record where the inscription is legible, if possible give indication to how much may have been present, it may be possible to identify a number of letters this may be within a block of text. Where the letters cannot be inferred put the inferred text in round brackets with a question mark eg/ depa(?rted this) life. When it can no longer be inferred put an arrow and say From this point onwards, erosion is too great. There is at least more line(s) of text suggested.

Material codes
10 slate 20 marble 21 white marble 22 grey marble 23 black marble 30 granite 31 pink granite 32 grey granite 33 black granite 40 sandstone 50 ceramic 51 brick 52 tile 53 terracotta 54 black-glazed ceramic 55 brown-glazer ceramic 60 iron 65 brass 70 conglomerate 75 concrete 80 limestone 90 other