Texas, U.S., Select Headstone Photos, 1850-2005

This database is a photo collection of over 74,000 headstones (some of which have multiple people listed on them) of individuals who died from the early nineteenth century up to the present day. This database includes headstones from a few U.S. states. The majority of the headstones are located in Texas.

Headstones can be great sources of genealogical information. Examples of the type of information you may find on a headstone includes:

• Name of deceased
  
• Birth date
  
• Birth place
  
• Death date
  
• Death place
  
• Marriage Date
  
• Names of family members

In this database you will also find with each entry a cemetery name and location. Because other individuals may also be listed on a headstone, headstones can be used for linkage between family members. Often husbands and wives will share the same headstone, as may brothers or sisters. Relationships may also be indicated in inscriptions that say such things as "son of…", "daughter of…", "wife of…", or "husband of…". In addition, the location of a headstone in a cemetery is a clue to relationships between people as many families bury their loved ones near other relatives.

Epitaphs can also be great sources of information about individuals. While they may not provide direct genealogical material, they can provide details about an individual's life (i.e. their interests and hobbies, religion, occupation, military service, etc.). These details are just as important and interesting as vital events when doing family history.