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GSSA Cemetery Recording Initiative

Context
Genealogical source data is a prerequisite for practising genealogy and for that reason the GSSA runs several projects within certain focus areas: a person’s life, in its most basic form, is defined by the events associated with birth and death. The first focus area, therefore, centres around death related information. This includes cemetery locations, cemetery records, headstones, funeral letters and a virtual space for remembering loved ones (“in memorium”).
Overview of the Cemetery Recording Initiative
This is an initiative of the Genealogical Society of South Africa (GSSA), spearheaded by Peter and Beverley Moss and Riana le Roux.
The goal is to preserve the genealogical information contained in cemeteries of South African interest and make the information accessible to genealogy researchers.
The aim is to preserve information by managing the collection, recording, processing and safekeeping of cemetery data. As such, the genealogical information recorded includes birth, death and burial data, plus any personal historical data (e.g. occupation, marriage or any other family relationships) contained in the cemetery records.
  • The data is collected from all types of cemetery sources, such as gravestones, burial registers, memorials and cremation memorial plaques.
  • The project covers all cemetery data of South African interest, inside and outside South Africa.
  • A prime focus of the project is the collection of information from the many farm cemeteries that exist throughout South Africa. These have no burial registers and the gravestones are subject to neglect and damage, unlike town cemeteries that are now increasingly also under threat.
The following three projects are interlinked and interdependent.  Together they constitute the GSSA Cemetery Recording Initiative: the Cemetery Locations project; the Cemetery Records project; and the Gravestone Photos project.
PROJECT Cemetery Location
Technologies such as Google Earth and GPS (global positioning system) coordinates make it easy to keep track of cemeteries already recorded or not and farm cemeteries, which are otherwise difficult to locate. Once set up and loaded with the appropriate .KMZ file, the Google Earth display shows cemetery locations relevant to the cemetery related projects and indicate their position with an appropriate icon. Two sets of information are available: GSSA Cemeteries (the indexed cemeteries) and 50K Cemeteries (the unindexed cemeteries).  The related KMZ files can be downloaded via the Genza.org.za website.
PROJECT Cemetery Records
The Cemetery Records project transcribes the information from various sources and takes-on these records on inhouse databases, on a continuous basis. This provides the information to produce two indices: a Cemetery Index and a Gravestone Transcription Index.
An annual snapshot of the Gravestone Transcription Index is published as an edition. The latest, Gravestone Transcription Index, Edition 21, published in March 2023, contains 953 225 names from 3 196 cemeteries. This edition of the Gravestone Transcription Index can be procured as a digital download via the OnlineShop, and contains the full index, as at the date of the edition.
Alternatively, the Gravestone Transcription Index, updated on a continuous (monthly) basis throughout the year, is also available in the following way: Individual records of the Gravestone Transcription Index can be procured through the WebShop – it provides a search engine to select specific records and procure them on a token basis.
Extracts (Excel spreadsheets) of the Cemetery Index are available on the Genza website, free of charge. It is used to manage the recording effort and contains three main areas: cemetery names, documents and cemetery locations.
PROJECT Gravestone Photos
The Gravestone Transcription Index is complemented by captioned photographs of the gravestones.  These gravestone photographs are made available in alphabetical albums, searchable by name, cemetery, etc. – free of charge on the graves-at-eggsa.org website. These albums currently contain over 925 000 photos, with many more photos still to be processed.
Various sets of guidelines are available, for example on planning a trip to a cemetery, photographing gravestones, etc.
Invitation and request
In addition to cemetery recording efforts at the various GSSA branches, we have many volunteers who record data and assist with data processing. You are welcome to contribute to the initiative – the invitation is open to the public.  We do have some recording guidelines that should be followed to record information for this project. If you are interested in helping with photographing and transcription of Cemetery Registers, or adding captions to gravestone photographs, please contact Peter MossThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or Riana le Roux This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
More information
This document corresponds with the GSSA’s website (Genza.org.za).  A project overview for each of these projects is provided, with supporting information that is generally downloadable and with extensive links to relevant pages and websites.

Actions

  • Download the Cemetery Recording Initiative – An introduction.
  • Download the Cemetery Recording Initiative – In a nutshell diagram.
cemetery projectProject leaders Peter and Beverley Moss
The Project is an initiative of the Genealogical Society of South Africa (GSSA).
Description
Technologies such as Google Earth and GPS (global positioning system) coordinates make it easy to keep track of cemeteries already recorded/not and farm cemeteries that are otherwise difficult to locate.
Once set up and loaded with the appropriate .KMZ file available on the Genza website, Google Earth shows cemetery locations relevant to the cemetery related projects and indicates their position with an appropriate icon.
Deliverables
Two sets of information (two perspectives) are available via Google Earth:
  • GSSA Cemeteries (indexed cemeteries)
Google Earth opens with a high-level view of Southern Africa showing all the GSSA cemetery locations (i.e. all cemeteries that have been recorded), with a GSSA icon.
  • 50K Cemeteries (unindexed cemeteries)
The 1:50 000 topographical maps of South Africa show thousands of cemeteries marked as “+”. Files containing these points were created, indexed by location and farm name. These files were narrowed down to “+” marks representing cemeteries not yet recorded by the Cemetery Recording Initiative.
For each of these perspectives the location file (KMZ) is maintained monthly, which can then be interpreted by Google Earth.
Invitation
You are welcome to use these map enhancements; they are available to the public free of charge via the Gneza website
Contact
Peter and Beverley Moss via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Action
Set up to load and use Google Earth (GE).
Data sets
Two sets of information (two perspectives) are available for use with Google Earth:
  • GSSA Cemeteries (indexed cemeteries).
The GSSA Google Earth Map opens with a high-level view of Southern Africa showing all the GSSA cemetery locations (i.e. all cemeteries that have been recorded by the GSSA), with a GSSA icon.
  • 50K Cemeteries (unindexed cemeteries).
The 1:50 000 topographical maps of SA show thousands of cemeteries marked as “+”. Files containing these points were created, indexed by location and farm name. These files can be read using Google Earth. Clicking on the “+” mark opens a dialog box that gives farm name, GPS coordinates, etc.  The “+” marks represent cemeteries not yet recorded by the Cemetery Project (recorded cemeteries have been deleted from this file when closer than 200m). This is ideal for planning cemetery recording.
Considerations
There is a huge amount of information contained in each of the above data sets, which Google Earth can handle. However, it may take time to render and may slow down reaction times, creating the impression of a slow system, depending on your computer configuration.  The easiest solution to consider is to apply only a subset at a time (e.g. the province you want to work in).
You can also load both the above sets (with other data sets you may have), but that will also exacerbate the above problem.  There is functionality available in Google Earth to turn layers on and off. Files for each Province are provided for the 50K option.
How accurate is the information and how frequently is it updated?
Every effort has been made to ensure the information is as accurate as possible, but inaccuracies do arise, mainly due to the following:
  • Old locations derived from the 1:50 000 maps have the double disadvantage of being scaled and read off the paper map, and also the coordinates are according to the Cape System and not the worldwide WGS84 used by Google Earth and GPS receivers. We are correcting these coordinates as time permits.
  • Use of incorrect GPS datum by recorders. The datum of the map is the coordinate system on which it is based - we use WGS 84 Hartbeeshoek.
  • The chance of inaccuracies during the coordinate recording and data processing stages.
  • Some areas of the Google Earth maps are “fuzzy”, so accurate cemetery locations cannot be obtained and approximations are used.
  • As far as possible, we note the accuracy level of the coordinates and audit the locations shown for correctness.
  • The data is updated at the end of each month, so keep an eye out for new revisions.
Available KMZ files
KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is a file format used to display geographic data in an Earth browser such as Google Earth. KMZ is a KML with supporting files packaged in a zipped format.
Actions
  • Download the relevant KMZ file by clicking on the spreadsheet name in the table below.
GSSA Cemeteries (indexed cemeteries)
NR
SPREADSHEET
DESCRIPTION
KMZ FILE NAME
1.0
The full data set
GSA01 - GSSA Cem1.eteries (full set)  - GGSA Begraafplase (volledige stel)
50K Cemeteries (unindexed cemeteries)
NR
SPREADSHEET
DESCRIPTION
KMZ FILE NAME
1.0
50K Cemeteries 
1.1
The full data set
50K11 - 50K Cemeteries (full set) - 50K Begraafplase (volledige stel)
2.0
South Africa - Provinces
2.1
Subset: Eastern Cape
50K21 - 50K Cemeteries (Eastern Cape) - 50K Begraafplase (Oos-Kaap)
2.2
Subset: Free State
50K22 - 50K Cemeteries (Free State) - 50K Begraafplase (Vrystaat)
2.3
Subset: Gauteng
50K23 - 50K Cemeteries (Gauteng) - 50K Begraafplase (Gauteng)
2.4
Subset: KwaZulu-Natal
50K24 - 50K Cemeteries (KwaZulu-Natal) - 50K Begraafplase (KwaZulu-Natal)
2.5
Subset: Limpopo
50K25 - 50K Cemeteries (Limpopo) - 50K Begraafplase (Limpopo)
2.6
Subset: Mpumalanga
50K26 - 50K Cemeteries (Mpumalanga) - 50K Begraafplase (Mpumalanga)
2.7
Subset: North West
50K27 - 50K Cemeteries (North West) - 50K Begraafplase (Noord-Wes)
2.8
Subset: Northern Cape
50K28 - 50K Cemeteries (Northern Cape) - 50K Begraafplase (Noord-Kaap)
2.9
Subset: Western Cape
50K29 - 50K Cemeteries (Western Cape) - 50K Begraafplase (Wes-Kaap)
3.0
Neighbouring countries
3.1
 Subset: Botswana 
50K31 - 50K Cemeteries (Botswana) - 50K Begraafplase (Botswana)
3.2
50K Lesotho
 Subset: Lesotho
50K32 - 50K Cemeteries (Lesotho) - 50K Begraafplase (Lesotho) NA
3.3
Subset: Namibia
50K33 - 50K Cemeteries (Namibia) - 50K Begraafplase (Namibia)
3.4
Subset: eSwatini
50K34 - 50K Cemeteries (eSwatini) - 50K Begraafplase (eSwatini)
How can I make comments or corrections?
Please send to Peter Moss This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Set-up
The set-up process consists of three easy steps:
  • Install the Google Earth application.
  • Apply the cemetery data by means of the supplied KMZ file(s).
  • Become familiar with the basic navigation functionality of Google Earth.
Install the Google Earth application
Make sure you have the Google Earth Pro application installed on your desktop or notebook - it is available free of charge:
  • Download from https://www.google.com/earth/versions/ by selecting “Google Earth Pro on desktop” and thereafter click on “Accept and download”.
  • The downloaded .exe file will appear in the bottom left corner (in other browsers it may be under “Downloads”). Click on the .exe file that will download the actual application and installation. Once completed, the application will open by itself (or click on Start Menu).  Now Google Earth Pro is installed on your desktop/notebook.
Note: In the Google Chrome browser it is possible to use the “Google Earth on Web” option without downloading the application.  One can, for example, open and review the kml/kmz  by selecting a “new project”. However, the functionality is not nearly on par with that of the application. Still, it can be useful for someone who just wants to look at the content of a kml file.
Apply the cemetery data
Google Earth needs to be customised with the relevant cemetery data that is also available from the GSSA free of charge:
  • Select the relevant KMZ file “Select the relevant KMZ file”.
  • Download the selected KMZ to an appropriate location on your desktop or in your document filing structure, wherever you prefer.
  • Double-click on your selected KMZ file – it should open in Google Earth. Depending on the size of the KMZ file selected, the rendering (applying the data to the map) may take a while.
Become familiar with the basic navigation functionality of Google Earth
Navigation such as: scroll mouse wheel to zoom in and out; shift + arrow, will tilt the surface or turn it; press R for recovery to perpendicular with north at the top.
For further assistance, refer to the video below, for installation guidance and basic orientation: - Google Earth Pro - A Complete Beginner’s Guide (37 minutes).
Become familiar with the basic functionality of the KMZ data
Links to the following pages:
Use Google Earth in a wider context
Link to the following page:
For more information on the background and development of the GSSA’s Google Earth initiatives
Link to the following page:
GSSA Cemeteries (indexed cemeteries)
Once Google Earth is installed and the data for the recorded cemeteries applied, the following become relevant:
  1. What does the map show?
  2. Cemetery names.
  3. Colour codes of cemetery name.
  4. The pop-up window.
  5. How do I find a cemetery in which I am interested?
1 . What does the map show?
Google Earth with the GGSA locations opens with a high-level view of Southern Africa showing all the GSSA cemetery locations with a GSSA icon. The standard features of Google Earth can be used to zoom in or out, rotate the image, or fly to various Placemarks or coordinates. Places of interest shown in the default Google Earth maps also assist with navigation.
barbertonview
2. Cemetery names
The cemetery name will appear next to the GSSA logo.
By zooming down in the general area of interest, the icons separate and the Cemetery Name pops up.
Where there are multiple cemeteries on one farm, the distinguishing number 1, 2, etc. also appears as example below.
Cem names
3. Colour codes of the cemetery names
The colour codes used for the Cemetery Name text are as follows:
  • Processed and published in the latest Edition (previously DVD) and Photo (in bright blue).
  • Processed and published in Edition (previously DVD) only (in bright green).
  • Published in Photo album only (in yellow green).
  • Not yet processed (in white).
Colour codes of cem names
4. The Pop-up Window
Clicking on the GSSA icon loads a pop-up window with the following information:
  • Cemetery title information: (Farm Name, Locality, Magisterial District, Province, Country).
  • Recording Status (ranging from Published in Edition (previously DVD) & Photos, to "Not yet Processed"). “Location Only” means the information is only available via the eGGSA Gravestone Photos.
  • Number of names in Cemetery (Gravestone Index).
Click on "View Photos Online" to view the Photo Album run by the eGSSA (if photos of this cemetery are available).
pop up window
5. How to find a cemetery in which I am interested?
Features currently available are:
  • The standard place list shown in Google Earth page under your "Places" sidebar. It shows the GSSA cemeteries arranged by Country and Province and can be searched for names of interest. A sub-header gives more information about the cemetery locality. A single click loads a pop-up box with the cemetery info.
  • For further assistance with cemetery names and cemetery recording status, refer to the Excel files of the Cemetery Index.
These files are updated monthly.
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