Names on Monuments

[Rob9641]

I'm looking for a website that has a database of the names of people on monuments at battlefields, and if there isn't one, I'm thinking about getting one together. Does anyone have any information? Is there a use for such a database?

 

[brass napoleon]

I know there are databases of historical markers, like this one:

http://www.hmdb.org/

It seems I've also seen a database of monuments for the Manassas battlefield, but I can't find it now and I'm not sure who published it and I don't know whether it included other battlefields also.

I think it would be a great idea though. GPS coords for the monument's location would be a big plus too. That's exactly the type of volunteer work I'd like to do if the day ever came when I could retire (sometime next century maybe?)

 

[Rob9641]

There are data sites about monuments in general, like Stonesentinels.com, but I had more in mind a searchable database where I could see if my ancestor Morton Strong (fake name - I have no such ancestor) is listed on a monument anywhere. I have a db for the names on the Antietam monuments - I could build from there, get some volunteers to contribute efforts, but I don't want to do it if someone else already has.

 

[Nathanb1]

I haven't run across one--and I think it would be a remarkable service to researchers both professional and casual. Couldn't you check at one of the major battlefields and see if there is such a beast lurking on the 'net?

 

[bama46]

There are literally hundreds and jundreds of monuments at Shiloh with names on them, usually commanding officers IIRC. Just that battlefield would be a momentous undertaking, I think.

 

[Rob9641]

There are literally hundreds and jundreds of monuments at Shiloh with names on them, usually commanding officers IIRC. Just that battlefield would be a momentous undertaking, I think.

It would be, which is one of the reasons a single person can't do it. A person's location is, too. Maybe I'll start on Gettysburg next (the PA State Monument ought to occupy me for a year or so all by itself).

 

[larry_cockerham]

I'm currently working on a list (with service records) of the men buried at Rest Haven cemetery in Franklin, TN. The official cemetery list highlights 11 men. So far we've documented 62 of them. That's an example of just how great such records are in this area.

 

[TerryB]

I guess it's time for me to get back to work on my Nashville Mount Olivet project. http://www.civicscope.org/nashville-tn/ConfederateCircleMtOlivet

 

[larry_cockerham]

I guess it's time for me to get back to work on my Nashville Mount Olivet project. http://www.civicscope.org/nashville-tn/ConfederateCircleMtOlivet

That's a most beautiful article. You continue to inspire me to move forward with our work at Rest Haven.

I finally located the grave of August F. Oeser, my Grandson's ancestor who immigrated to Nashville in 1859. What a town he witnessed for the next few years. He is located only a few yards north of Confederate Circle. As you know, this cemetery has many years of inadequate maintenace under its belt and is well past-due for renovation. Maybe a well-heeled benefactor will read your work and take the hint.

 

[Nathanb1]

It would be, which is one of the reasons a single person can't do it. A person's location is, too. Maybe I'll start on Gettysburg next (the PA State Monument ought to occupy me for a year or so all by itself).

Reminds me of one of my favorite sayings...."How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."

 

[Rob9641]

You guys who are interested in cemeteries and tombstones need to see the US GenWeb Tombstone Transcription project: http://www.usgwtombstones.org/index.html

 

[TerryB]

That's a most beautiful article. You continue to inspire me to move forward with our work at Rest Haven.

I finally located the grave of August F. Oeser, my Grandson's ancestor who immigrated to Nashville in 1859. What a town he witnessed for the next few years. He is located only a few yards north of Confederate Circle. As you know, this cemetery has many years of inadequate maintenace under its belt and is well past-due for renovation. Maybe a well-heeled benefactor will read your work and take the hint.

Thanks again, Larry. I need to get a better digital camera than the toy I have now. When I do, I plan to get images of all the markers in Confederate Circle and look them up on rosters. So many are just spelled wrong to the point that I can't figure out who they were. Yeah, maybe someone with money will take an interest in renovation.

 

[brass napoleon]

It would be, which is one of the reasons a single person can't do it. A person's location is, too. Maybe I'll start on Gettysburg next (the PA State Monument ought to occupy me for a year or so all by itself).

Wish I could help, but the daily commute would be pretty onerous. Have you thought about how you're going to record the data? If you're going to do it on a computer, you probably should consider doing it in a format that will be easily importable into a database in the future. I'd be happy to help with that, if you'd like. (I'm a database designer by profession.)

 

[ole]

you probably should consider doing it in a format that will be easily importable into a database in the future.

What a fine suggestion! If members are going to rush out to record data, it would be valuable and efficient if the formats were compatible.

 

[Rob9641]

Wish I could help, but the daily commute would be pretty onerous. Have you thought about how you're going to record the data? If you're going to do it on a computer, you probably should consider doing it in a format that will be easily importable into a database in the future. I'd be happy to help with that, if you'd like. (I'm a database designer by profession.)

Excellent! A year ago I made a Microsoft Works spreadsheet of all the names on all the monuments at Antietam, so I guess I'd just expand that. Since I have a small project to do at Gettysburg that fits into this, I'll probably start this weekend. I know nothing about searchable databases or making websites for that matter - maybe somebody knows a website owner/administrator who might like to add something like this to their site.

 

[Rob9641]

Here's another site for those of you interested in cemeteries:

http://www.civilwarhome.com/hist.htm#Cemeteries

 

[brass napoleon]

Excellent! A year ago I made a Microsoft Works spreadsheet of all the names on all the monuments at Antietam, so I guess I'd just expand that. Since I have a small project to do at Gettysburg that fits into this, I'll probably start this weekend. I know nothing about searchable databases or making websites for that matter - maybe somebody knows a website owner/administrator who might like to add something like this to their site.

I administer a web-site for one of my clients. In addition to their normal business, they do a lot of work for non-profits, so I think there's a good chance they'd be willing to help out when the time comes. I'll check with them.

In the meantime, feel free to PM me with any questions you might have about the database. If you want to send me what you've got I can take a look at it and possibly offer some advice.

 

[ole]

Hey, Brass. I notice you've recently made First Sergeant. Glad to see everyone hanging around to post long enough to climb in the ranks.

 

[brass napoleon]

Hey, Brass. I notice you've recently made First Sergeant. Glad to see everyone hanging around to post long enough to climb in the ranks.

Thanks, Ole. I knew once I started posting here you guys would never be able to shut me up! :laugh1:

 

[ole]

The lifeblood of a discussion board.