Evergreen Cemetery Feature Database

This database will eventually include all recorded information from the field recording forms, linked to the cemetery map and images of the individual gravestones and other features.  The database is not complete and has not yet been converted to an on-line, easily searchable format.  On this page are links to the database so far (containing information from approximately 1,000 features), in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and tab-delimited text format.  Please keep in mind that this database is preliminary and has not yet been thoroughly vetted for misspellings or other mistakes.  To save the database in any of the formats, right-click on the link and select "save as".  A description of the database fields (in the form of database entry instructions) is given below. 

Download the database in the following formats:

Database Entry Instructions

EV Number
These are generated as each feature is mapped.  The numbers are in the database already.  On the recording forms, the EV number is in the upper right corner.

Type 1
This refers to the main feature type.  This typology is functional typology (it describes what function the features have, not necessarily what they look like).  Only use the following types:

grave marker
footstone
family marker
wall
plot corner marker
footstone
bench
unmarked depression
bird bath
spigot
unknown (use this for small broken pieces that have their own feature number)

There may be other types added as we go.  Let me know if you come across anything not covered by this list.

Do not capitalize any words in this section, or in the following sections concerning feature type.

Type 2
This is a formal typology (it describes the form or shape of the feature).  It is primarily used for grave markers, foot stones, and family markers.  Use only the following types for grave markers:

tablet
thick tablet
monument
block
beveled block
pulpit
cross
ledger
obelisk
tree trunk
pillow
native stone
temporary marker

There will likely be other types added as we go.  Let me know if you come across anything not covered by this list.

We will also use this column for a formal typology of family markers and footstones.  I believe that the footstones will be confined to tablets (which will be most of them), and blocks.
           
The family markers are primarily monuments, obelisks, crosses, and columns.  There is at least one pulpit-style family marker, and there may be other types as well.  If you come across one that is not covered here, please bring it to my attention. 

Type 3
This field will be used when further description of the feature type is necessary.  So far, this field is only used for columns, which may be either square or round.  There may be more that are added as we enter more features into the database. 

Max Height in cm
This contains the distance from the ground surface to the highest point on a feature, in centimeters.  When features are broken or part of them is on the ground (which is particularly common in the older section of the cemetery), we will use our best estimation of the maximum height of the feature as if it were still standing and still in one piece.

# Individuals
This field specifies the number of individuals named on gravestones and footstones (for footstones, they should all be "1").  For all other types of features, enter "0" for this field.  I think that 10 is the maximum number recorded on a stone at Evergreen, but there may be one or two with more than this.

Last Name 1
In this field, enter the last name of the first individual listed on the recording form.  Use standard capitalization protocol here, whether or not it is that way on the stone.

Other Name(s) 1
In this field, enter the first name, initials, or other name designations of the first individual listed on the recording form.  Again, use standard capitalization protocol whether or not it is followed on the stone.  Capitalize initials with a period after each, and a space in between them if there are two or more.  Do not include titles (e.g. "Mr." or "Rev.") in this field.

Birth Year 1
Enter the year of birth in this field, only if it is given on the stone. 

Death Year 1
Enter the year of death in this field, only if it is given on the stone.

Age in Years 1
Enter the age in years in this field, only if it is given on the stone.  Be aware that recorders occasionally filled in this field on the recording forms even when it was not present on the stone.  If an age is given on the form, check elsewhere on the form (e.g. in the "all text" section) to make sure that it is actually recorded on the stone.

Last Name 2, Other Name(s) 2, etc.
Fill in these fields as above when more than one individual is recorded on the same feature.  Individual #2 is included in the database immediately to the right of Individual #1 because it is quite common to have two individuals recorded on the same stone.  It is less common to have three or more, so these columns are to the far right of the database.

Motif(s)
List all motifs present on the feature, separating each with a comma.  If there are multiple motifs, the order doesn't particularly matter, but try to list the most prominent ones first if possible.  Be aware that this field is often not filled out on the recording forms, so quickly scan the sketch of each feature to look for motifs present that may not be listed explicitly. 
Some common motifs are:

Leaves, flowers, hands, gates, Masonic symbols (list these as Masonic), columns, birds, chains, draping, books, Bibles, lambs, stars, crosses, scrollwork, harps, and others including boxing gloves and arrows. 

If you come across a motif not listed here, go ahead and record them in this column but please bring them to my attention.  Do not capitalize any words in this section except those that are commonly capitalized (Masonic, Bible).  Only use the plural if more than one example of the motif is present – for example, if there is one flower, enter "flower", and if there are several enter "flowers".

All Text on Feature
In this field enter all text that is present on the feature.  Enter it in the order that it is given on the feature.  In this field, enter it as closely as possible as it is given on the stone.  Use all capitals when the text on the stone is all in capitals, use the punctuation as it appears on the stone, etc.  Separate lines on the stone with a slash (/).  It is sometimes necessary to make notes about the text within this field.  When that is necessary, make the brief notes within square brackets ([,]).  When a stone has writing on more than one side, for example, note the side like this:

This field will be used for the full text search, so it is important that all writing on the stone appear here.  Note that even walls have writing on them sometimes (a family name or even the names of individuals).

Other Notes
In this field, include comments if the feature is:
Broken or otherwise significantly damaged.
A tablet or other feature that has fallen over (enter "fallen over").
Likely associated with another feature (several of the footstones are clearly
            related to a gravestone for example, and in this case enter "likely
            associated with feature 123). 
A wall that used to have a metal fence attached to it that is now gone. 

This field will be used for other purposes as well, for example for unique features in the cemetery (the above-ground crypt), for the two "white bronze" grave markers, etc.  If you come across something that you think should be included in this field, go ahead and enter it and bring it to my attention.