Cemeteries Information System - Research Tools
The CIS provides Foundation Researchers with tools to review decedent biographical information, photos, and document images submitted by the general public, descendants, educators, and other researchers.
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Validate information or documents submitted to the Foundation - to assure the accuracy of decedent biographical information
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Assure CIS information conforms with established CIS taxonomies and formats
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Propose information or documents element additions to the CIS database, and adaptations of taxonomies and presentation.
Note: We desire CIS information values and free text to retain contemporaneous descriptive integrity, rather than be converted to modern terminology or labels. (E.g., if the ethnicity/race of an individual is noted as "negro' in historical enslaved sale documents, then that term will be recorded in the Ethnicity/Race information field)
Additionally, researchers:
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Determine if photo and document images proposed for posting in the CIS are in the public domain, or include appropriate citations or use rights.
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Add private notes to decedent records, viewable only by other Foundation researchers and administration.
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Prepare new decedent records for addition to the CIS
The Cemetery Information System developed by the Foundation is a 'first of its kind' historical cemeteries and community information gathering and sharing archive. As such, the public and researchers may see opportunities for improving data presentation and records management. The Foundation is keen to enhance the CIS based on Researcher input.