Genealogy
Subject Guide
Introduction
Gravestone inscriptions provide birth and death information and offer family relationship clues. The only record of an immigrant's original surname may appear on that person's headstone. However, as secondary sources, gravestone inscriptions can contain errors. Genealogical and historical societies and various individuals have transcribed and published cemetery inscriptions. The Systematic Series of Massachusetts vital records relied on information from headstones and other sources. Printed town records and histories sometimes contain epitaphs. Tombstone decorations offer insight into the deceased's economic status, occupation, religious affiliation, interests, and organizational memberships.
Selective List of Materials in the W.E.B. Du Bois Library
- Burial grounds of VermontCall Number: F 50 B87 1991
- The colonial burying grounds of eastern Connecticut and the men who made themCall Number: NB 1856 C66 S58 1987
- Granite laughter and marble tears; epitaphs of old New EnglandCall Number: PN 6291 P5
- Gravestones of early New England and the men who made them, 1653-1800Call Number: NB 1855 F6
- Middletown Springs and Ira cemetery inscriptions, Rutland County, VermontCall Number: F 59 M62 J46 1983
- New England cemeteries: a collector's guideCall Number: F 5 K84
- Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical SocietyCall Number: F 98 N5 Volumes 1-10
Volume 10: Grove Street Cemetery - Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society (Volume 3)Inscriptions on tombstones in New Haven prior to 1800
- Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society (Volume 4)Inscriptions on tombstones in Guilford erected prior to 1800
- Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society (Volume 5)Inscriptions on Milford tombstones
- Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society (Volume 6)Supplement to Guilford tombstone inscriptions
Inscriptions on tombstones in Madison erected prior to 1800 - Papers of the New Haven Colony Historical Society (Volume 8)Inscriptions on tombstones in New Haven prior to 1800
- The stone records of GrotonCall Number: F 104 G84 C37
- Westbrook, Maine cemeteries: plus the surrounding towns of Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Portland & WindhamCall Number: F 29 W6 K47 1996
Find More
Search the Five College Catalog by Subject. Examples of subject searches:
- Cemeteries - Maine - North Yarmouth
- Epitaphs - New England
- Sepulchral monuments - New England
