City Web Site Features New Research Tool for Downtown Cemeteries

Map-based application simplifies records management and provides historic documentation

GREENVILLE , SC – July 2, 2010 – The City of Greenville has launched a new interactive web application called Cemetery Viewer, which allows users to locate specific graves or deeded plots in the Springwood and Richland cemeteries online. Users can search graves by name or death date and search plots by name or number. The application was designed to improve the documentation and records management associated with the cemeteries and to preserve cemetery information in one database that is accessible to both City staff and the general public.

The project utilized the capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to relate various data sources into one inventory system. The inventory process involved collecting and organizing a variety of cemetery-related records into one set and the types of data utilized included in-house records such as cemetery plot maps, receipt books, actual burial records and field data collected using Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment. Each marker in the cemeteries was identified with a GPS coordinate; the name, dates and any other legible information on the marker were recorded and a digital photograph was taken of the marker.

According to Mark DePenning, the City’s GIS Administrator, this large GIS-based inventory project was originally created to support the City’s internal work activities. “Our objective in developing this web-based application was to make it available for historical and genealogical research,” said DePenning. “Whenever possible we try to make our GIS data accessible to benefit the general public, and the cemetery viewer application is just one practical example of achieving that goal.

Cemetery Viewer is available on the City’s web site and includes a Quickstart Guide with step-by-step instructions. Visit: http://www.greenvillesc.gov/Culture/History/cemeteries/CemeteryViewer.aspx for more information.