Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Project Objectives

Creating A Coordinate Grid Map

A Coordinate Grid Map will have to be used when a cemetery has an irregular shape or unusual placement of graves. While this type of map is far more time consuming to create and use than a standard servey map, it is very accurate. Once you get the hang of using one in the field it will get a lot easier.

The graphic shown at the left is a sample Coordinate Grid Map used to plat an "imaginary" cemetery. This cemetery sits atop a high bluff overlooking a river valley. The south end (top) of this cemetery is irregular and the grave markers are not placed in well defined rows. The survey team used an existing fence on the East end of the cemetery and a string they ran between two concrete corner posts at the North end to create an origin point at the Northeast corner. By using a "best fit" method they determined a scale of 1/8" = 2' (1 square on the grid paper equals 2 feet of cemetery space), they are now able to accuratly plot the exact location of each grave in the cemetery. Each grave will be located on the map using X,Y coordinates. Given these coordinates, a volunteer can determine the exact location of each grave my simply measuring from the origin point. Grave 12,21 is found by multiplying 12 by 2 for 24 feet, and 21 by 2 for 42 feet. Thus grave 12,21 is 24 feet South of the origin point and 42 feet West of the origin point.
As graves are located, the location of each will be indicated on the map with an X or other symbol. So that the surveyor can identify each grave without remeasuring each one, a wooden stake or even a popsicle stick with the coordinates on it can be placed at each grave. The surveyor should reference these numbers when completing a grave survey.