10 Catholic Gravestone Symbols
Catholic gravestone symbols can be confusing if you don’t understand what they mean – but inspiring if you do! This blog post will explore the meaning behind ten Catholic symbols at the cemetery. Grandma Mary Two of my grandparents were Protestant and two were Catholic,…
Remembrance Day: Lest We Forget
On November 11th, 1918 the guns fell silent across Europe as the Treaty of Versailles was signed to signify the end of World War I. And now this year – November 11, 2019 – commemorates the 101st anniversary of this event, a day that has…
20 Creative Eagle Scout Project Ideas
Looking for a creative Eagle Scout Project idea? That can be challenging, but you have come to the right place for some awesome suggestions! Having a creative Eagle Scout Project idea is important because it will be easier to recruit volunteers if your project is…
Club, Society, & Fraternity Gravestone Symbols: Part 3
Club, society, and fraternity gravestone symbols can give you clues about your ancestor’s lives. And you never know when the slightest clue might help you add another generation to your family tree! This is the third post of a three-part blog series to explore the…
Club, Society, and Fraternity Gravestone Symbols: Part 2
Club, society, and fraternity gravestone symbols tell a story about the person buried there. But that is only helpful if you understand what the symbols mean. Once you understand the symbols, you will know more about that person’s life story. The symbols could even guide…
10 Best Fall Foliage Cemetery Trips
Alright, leaf-peepers, ready for a road trip!? Here are 10 of the best fall foliage cemetery trips you could take this year! Cemeteries are the perfect place to enjoy autumn because they are often designed as park-like settings where you can surround yourself in a…
Club, Society, & Fraternity Gravestone Symbols: Part 1
You’ve probably seen club, society, and fraternity symbols at the cemetery. They are on gravestones, flag holders, and statues. Some are so common that you may know what they mean at first glance. Others may leave you scratching your head in wonder. There are clubs,…
Military Flag Holders at the Cemetery
We’ve all seen them – those military flag holders at the cemetery. They are often right next to the gravestone of a Veteran, sometimes holding a flag but more often empty. But exactly why are they there? Who put them there? And what can they…
Announcing July’s Leaderboard Contest Winners!
Boom-ba-da-boom! Drumroll, please! Announcing BillionGraves July’s Leaderboard Contest winners! Congratulations to the top 15 uploaders and the top 15 transcribers during the month of July. And congrats to 20 more random winners as well! Each of you has won your choice of a terrific best-selling…
BillionGraves Summer Surfing Contest!
Whether you are surfing the internet to find your own ancestors or surfing to help with the BillionGraves database, we have a great summer surfing contest just for you! Hang 10 for Surfing Contest Prizes!! If you are one of BillionGraves’ top 10 transcribers or…
10 Cemeteries to See Before You Die
Pull out your bucket list and a pen! Here are 10 not-to-be-missed cemeteries you’ll want to see before you die! I can’t tell you how many people have said to us in hushed voices, as though sharing a secret confidence, “You know, I actually really…
Egyptian Gravestone Symbols
Have you ever come across Egyptian gravestone symbols in the cemetery – perhaps even on your own ancestor’s gravestone – and wondered why they were there and what they meant? Obelisks, pyramids, and other Egyptian symbols are fairly common throughout the United States, Europe, and…