Podcast Summary:

Family Tree Magazine Podcast – Perfecting the Cemetery Transcription: An Interview with Robbie Gorr
Host: Lisa Louise Cook
Guest: Robbie Gorr
Date: October 1, 2025
Theme: Practical Strategies and Insights for Effective Cemetery Transcription in Genealogical Research

Episode Overview

This episode explores the art and practice of cemetery transcription—meticulously recording and preserving information found on tombstones—to aid genealogists and family historians. Robbie Gorr, an experienced cemetery transcriber and recent author of “Zen and the Art of Cemetery Transcription”, shares his hands-on techniques, preparation strategies, and advice for both beginners and seasoned researchers. The conversation offers listeners invaluable tips for making cemetery visits more productive, preserving local history, and connecting with ancestral roots.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

How Robbie Gorr Discovered Cemetery Transcription

• Personal Journey: Robbie began as a family historian searching for relatives’ graves:

  “One of those places were the local cemeteries. I used to scour through cemeteries looking for family members, copying down the information that was on their tombstones...I found myself going back to the cemeteries multiple times.” (03:00)

• Cultural Connections:

  “I am part German, part French. And here there are tombstones, family tombstones that are in both of those languages. So it was a really great opportunity to connect with my cultural heritage as well.” (03:33)

Preparing for a Productive Cemetery Visit

• Weather Readiness:
  Plan according to forecast, dress appropriately, and bring weather-appropriate gear (rainwear, boots, sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent). (04:11)
• Essential Toolkit:
  • Pencil and sharpener: “If you should get your paper damp where ink and marker will smudge or run, the pencil never fails you.”
    (05:04)
  • Clipboard with elastics to keep papers in place.
  • Garden kneeling bench or folding chair for comfort during transcription.
• Special Supplies:
  • Trowel, clippers/scissors for clearing debris.
  • Gardening gloves for protection.
  • Spray bottle of water and soft cloth (for safe monument cleaning).
  • Wet wipes and towel for personal cleanup.
  • Reflective object (mirror, shiny metal) for redirecting light to improve inscriptions’ visibility:

    “Not every side of the tombstone is going to be in direct sunlight. By reflecting the light…you can create some shadow effects that make it easier to read.” (07:45)

Mapping and Systematically Documenting the Cemetery

• Survey the Layout:
  “You want to identify natural rows of monuments...see if the cemetery has been divided with pathways or roadways.” (08:42)
• Create a Hand-Drawn Map:
  • Sketch layout, include landmarks (fences, trees, paths, etc.).
  • Number & record each monument for consistency.
  • Draw lines for rows, indicating sequence and position of monuments.
• Accurate Referencing:
  “You have to consider that the map you’re making...has to be at least accurate enough that someone else looking at your transcription can also find the same monuments.” (10:36)

Recording Data: Old School and Tech Tools

• Paper & Pencil:
  Preferred for field notes, due to reliability in adverse conditions.
• Digital Audio:
  “People...make an oral recording of what they’re seeing...I always suggest that names be spoken and then spelled, like the old spelling bee method.” (11:36)
  • Repeat dates with care; spell names; assign reference numbers that correlate with your map.
• Camera/Smartphone:
  “I use my camera to record...especially if I don’t have a lot of time or the day is getting late or the weather is changing.” (13:05)
  • Photograph all inscribed surfaces for later transcription.
  • Overcast days are best for photos; “It eliminates most issues with light and shadow.” (14:37)
• Transcription Approach:
  • Copy inscriptions exactly as they appear.
  • Use forward slashes (/) to indicate line breaks.

Online Resources and Sharing Findings

• Grave Documentation Websites:
  • Checks sites like Find a Grave, Billion Graves, Wargraves Photographic Project, and JewishGen Online Worldwide Burial Registry for pre-existing documentation or to resolve discrepancies.
  • “Instead of taking the time to drive all the way out, I can just call up the image from the comfort of my chair...” (15:38)
  • Does not usually upload personal images but values these sites for reference and corroboration.
  • “Here in Canada we have Canadian headstones. And those are just a few examples of many that are available online.” (16:37)

Encounters and the Realities of Cemetery Work

• Public Perceptions:
  Occasionally encounters curiosity or questions from others; explains his purpose and sometimes gains valuable information from locals (e.g., a cemetery caretaker with unpublished records). (17:17)
• Solitude and Peacefulness:
  “Generally, though, when you’re working in the cemetery, it’s a solitary business...even when you’re with a group, it’s still a very solitary activity. And at times it can be very peaceful and pleasant as well, depending on the weather.” (18:37)
• Memorable Locations:
  Favorite cemeteries can be set in beautiful, unique landscapes, which add to the experience.

  “One of my favorites that I’m currently working in is on up point of land that juts out into a lake. So the cemetery is actually surrounded on three sides by the lake.” (19:33)

Post-Fieldwork: Compiling and Sharing Results

• Winter Months – Indoors Work:
  Spends inclement weather compiling cemetery histories—researching previous land ownership, origin, and identifying unmarked burials using newspapers and local records.
• Checking and Indexing:
  • Double-check for transcription errors.
  • Prepare a clean, labeled map for clarity and accuracy.
• Dissemination:
  Tends to donate transcriptions to local genealogy societies or libraries for public access:

  “...the work is never done…there are so many that need to be done yet...and after a certain period of years, those that are going to need updating.” (23:57)

• Updating Records:
  Current project involves updating records from 35 years ago to include new burials and note lost or damaged stones.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The golden rule of cemetery transcription is to copy everything that you see and copy exactly what you see as it appears.” – Robbie Gorr (12:34)
• “It all was very innocent in the beginning...And I found it was a really enjoyable activity for me to do.” – Robbie Gorr (02:30)
• “A lot of people consider that memorial monuments are permanent fixtures, but they’re really not.” – Robbie Gorr (17:36)
• “Some of my favorite times are being in a cemetery on a warm summer morning or on a sunny autumn afternoon...Even the smells and the sounds are very different.” – Robbie Gorr (19:04)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|----------------| | How Robbie started cemetery transcription | 02:26 | | Preparing for the cemetery trip | 04:11 | | Robbie’s field toolkit | 05:04-07:55 | | Mapping/documenting the cemetery | 08:39-10:36 | | Audio/photographic recording tips | 11:21-14:37 | | Online grave databases and resources | 15:18-16:58 | | Interacting with others and peaceful moments | 17:11-20:39 | | Post-fieldwork: compiling, indexing, and sharing | 20:49-24:00 |

Conclusion

Robbie Gorr’s interview offers comprehensive, actionable advice for anyone interested in cemetery transcription—from gear and mapping strategies to documentation, respectful interaction, and sharing findings. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned genealogist, these methods help ensure cemeteries’ invaluable records are preserved and accessible for generations to come.

For Robbie’s full article, see the September/October 2025 issue of Family Tree Magazine.