26/04/2018

Cemetery search website improved

Genealogy research has been made much easier with access to detailed information through Council’s improved cemetery search website.

Users can search more than 37,000 burial records, including over 13,500 photos of headstones and inscriptions in our region’s Council maintained cemeteries.

Our earliest records start from 1877 at the Makaraka Cemetery and these have been updated to include nearly 700 historic photos.

We’ve made improvement to how people can search with a ‘sounds like’ option on spelling and searching headstone inscriptions.

“We have a more comprehensive database now as we’ve reconciled the existing records held in various locations and archived and digitised those records. This means people can now view plot availability and also book plots online,” says project manager Natacha Blattes.

When searching the online map, you’re taken to the exact location of where that person is buried and can view details on nearby plots.

Application analyst Kris Clayton, who built the new website features, says the aim is to provide as much information as possible to assist people researching their genealogy.

“We’re looking at making other improvements, such as allowing people to submit information and stories on the website to expand and include more information.”

Try the cemetery search

ENDS

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