I'm a professional scientist by trade and an amateur historian by hobby. Outside of Find-a-Grave I've done historical research in the fields of spaceflight, aviation, film. TV, and pop-culture history, I truly enjoy it when my historical interests overlap with my Find-a-Grave interests.

I have been exploring graveyards since 1987, when I was a U.S. Marine stationed in South Carolina and had the opportunity to visit the burial sites of some of the first European settlers in America, many of whom still have their names on maps of that area today. While doing so I also found the graves of soldiers who were killed in America's earliest wars (the fallen from both sides), such as the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War. As a lifelong history buff it was moving to stand not only where history was made, but likewise to stand a few feet from the remains of those that wrote that history. Gravesite visits really bring history alive to me.

On Find-A-Grave I'm happy to make contributions to notable person's biographies, either by suggesting new information, providing photographs, or even just GPS coordinates for their resting places. From time-to-time I've also found some notable graves that were previously over-looked, although regrettably Find-a-Grave has become very strict about what constitutes "famous VS noteworthy" and has denied my suggestions every time. My goal in trying to find famous and noteworthy graves is so that it will draw attention to that person's contributions to society, inspire people to visit their grave, pay their respects, and hopefully preserve it for future generations. I'm also studying ways to share the locations of these non-famous graves outside of Find-a-Grave, most likely through a personal blog and vlog.

The "Contributions" box in my profile does reflect the true extent of my efforts on this site. I typically work directly with the managers of their memorials, and most of my memorials have been transferred to others. I also usually work with a friend who updates our joint contributions through his own account.

Also, while I search for historic graves, I'm often moved to maintain adjacent graves that have been neglected or abandoned. In other words, I clean and/or unbury graves, or put broken markers back into position. I believe that ordinary and non-famous people should be shown the same respect as famous ones. After all, every life has a story to tell. I'd want it for my non-famous loved ones, and I hope you'll do the same as you "haunt" graveyards in your visits.

Thanks for visiting my profile! :-D

FUN BONUS FACT: How many people can say that they got locked in a mausoleum after closing? Okay, now how many people can say that it happened to them twice? This guy! Hahahaha! :-D

FUN BONUS FACT #2: Once, while walking through a mausoleum, my shoes were so squeaky on the marble floor that I was inadvertently distracting a memorial service in an adjacent chamber (face palm!). I even tried walking on my tip-toes but it barely made a difference :( Oh, the things that happen to us "Tombstone Tourists", right??!! LOL

I'm a professional scientist by trade and an amateur historian by hobby. Outside of Find-a-Grave I've done historical research in the fields of spaceflight, aviation, film. TV, and pop-culture history, I truly enjoy it when my historical interests overlap with my Find-a-Grave interests.

I have been exploring graveyards since 1987, when I was a U.S. Marine stationed in South Carolina and had the opportunity to visit the burial sites of some of the first European settlers in America, many of whom still have their names on maps of that area today. While doing so I also found the graves of soldiers who were killed in America's earliest wars (the fallen from both sides), such as the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War. As a lifelong history buff it was moving to stand not only where history was made, but likewise to stand a few feet from the remains of those that wrote that history. Gravesite visits really bring history alive to me.

On Find-A-Grave I'm happy to make contributions to notable person's biographies, either by suggesting new information, providing photographs, or even just GPS coordinates for their resting places. From time-to-time I've also found some notable graves that were previously over-looked, although regrettably Find-a-Grave has become very strict about what constitutes "famous VS noteworthy" and has denied my suggestions every time. My goal in trying to find famous and noteworthy graves is so that it will draw attention to that person's contributions to society, inspire people to visit their grave, pay their respects, and hopefully preserve it for future generations. I'm also studying ways to share the locations of these non-famous graves outside of Find-a-Grave, most likely through a personal blog and vlog.

The "Contributions" box in my profile does reflect the true extent of my efforts on this site. I typically work directly with the managers of their memorials, and most of my memorials have been transferred to others. I also usually work with a friend who updates our joint contributions through his own account.

Also, while I search for historic graves, I'm often moved to maintain adjacent graves that have been neglected or abandoned. In other words, I clean and/or unbury graves, or put broken markers back into position. I believe that ordinary and non-famous people should be shown the same respect as famous ones. After all, every life has a story to tell. I'd want it for my non-famous loved ones, and I hope you'll do the same as you "haunt" graveyards in your visits.

Thanks for visiting my profile! :-D

FUN BONUS FACT: How many people can say that they got locked in a mausoleum after closing? Okay, now how many people can say that it happened to them twice? This guy! Hahahaha! :-D

FUN BONUS FACT #2: Once, while walking through a mausoleum, my shoes were so squeaky on the marble floor that I was inadvertently distracting a memorial service in an adjacent chamber (face palm!). I even tried walking on my tip-toes but it barely made a difference :( Oh, the things that happen to us "Tombstone Tourists", right??!! LOL