Grave Mapping Project Update
Cemetery Project Methodology Update
Recently we have started to map out and use the Collector app on some of the larger cemeteries close to campus. One issue that we have noticed is this, even with a group of people out in the field and collecting data simultaneously, it still takes a good amount of time to get the data collected in its entirety at graveside. After some discussion we devised a new process of data collection in an attempt to speed up the process and reduce the amount of field time required.
The new process is similar to the old one of data collection, except part of the data will be entered in the lab. The original process was to enter the data into the Collector app in its entirety at gravesite, the new method is to take the data and enter it for the location, and the Headstone data, then take a picture of the marker and any important details about the marker. Once you have the pictures, save the data and collect your next point, repeating the process. This will in theory reduce the amount of time needed in the field and reduce the amount of environmental exposure (sun, wind, rain, etc.) for the field workers collecting data.
Once the marker information and pictures are collected, the burial data, veteran’s records, and kinships can all be entered in the lab on days when field work is not feasible. This should make our time spent on location at the cemeteries more efficient and allow us to complete them in an expedient manner.
This process has been started at the Whitneyville Cemetery by the students at Mansfield University in the Geoscience Departments Mapping Block of classes. This process allows them to get much needed field work experience as well as allows them more opportunity to conduct advanced GIS work and editing through Online Mapping programs such as ArcGIS Online. Further updates will be provided as the testing of the new method of data collection is tested over the next few weeks.
I will also be testing this process myself in a separate manner. To truly gauge the efficiency and practicality of this method I will be working on the Knowlton Cemetery near my hometown. I will first choose a set of markers to collect the data for in the old manner of collection in entirety at gravesite and record the time it takes to complete the collection. I will then re-collect the data for the same markers using the new method of collection to determine the change in field time needed. Also I will be accounting for the time it takes in post field work conditions to complete the records and see which process takes less time overall.
