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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View and validate information or documents submitted to the Foundation - to assure the accuracy of decedent-associated data
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Assure CIS information integrity and consistency, and that potential information additions conform with established CIS taxonomies and formats
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Propose to the Foundation new or adapted taxonomies or formats. Note: It is desired that CIS information values and free text 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 should be used in the CIS Ethnicity/Race information field)
Additionally, researchers:
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Determine if photo and document image submissions are suitable for publishing in the CIS (images may be copyright restricted - not allowing republishing, or they may be republished if appropriate citations of original material source/ownership are applied).
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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 actual publishing of a proposed record to be completed by the Foundation)
The Cemetery Information System developed by the Foundation is a 'first of its kind' information gathering and sharing technology platform. As such, the public and researchers may perceive system design or data management issues. The Foundation is keen to enhance the CIS based on Researcher input.
While the CIS is not intended (or technically or economically able) to mimic the robust family ancestry research and information recording capabilities of popular subscription services, the public is encouraged to identify opportunities to enhance the collection and sharing of biographical, community and Black history information (providing insight into the lives of those interred in the burial grounds, and the role and impact they had in their communities. Enhancement ideas will be documented for potential inclusion in subsequent editions of the CIS or within in future technology platforms.