Map and records search: Artesia Cemetery
Number of Records: Around 7,500 records with a maximum capacity of 8,200 plots
Location: California, United States
- Digitalised cemetery records
- Physical survey of the cemetery grounds
- Interactive online cemetery map
- 24/7 online access to plot/cemetery information
- Customised database management solutions delivered at a highly affordable price
Artesia Cemetery is one of the most interesting case studies in digitising cemetery records and data. Historically, the cemetery is over a century old, meaning that it has preserved a very long list of local history and cemetery records. Even more, the Artesia Cemetery was originally two separate cemeteries and was owned privately. On September 24, 1928, the cemetery then became one cemetery and was publicly owned by Artesia Cemetery District.
Historically, the Artesia Cemetery is the oldest and most established cemetery in the county. Since its establishment in the 1860s, the cemetery has total records around 7,500 cemetery records. Furthermore, with the data kept on physical papers and then moved to spreadsheets, it could be challenging to keep the data to be synchronised and well-protected.
Moving forward to the more efficient cemetery management software
Before joining the Chronicle family, the Artesia Cemetery used different software to input their decedent’s information. Unfortunately, the experience was not that satisfactory. It was difficult and rather clunky to operate.
Previously, like many other cemeteries, the Artesia Cemetery used to draw the cemetery map on spreadsheet files. Moreover, they separated the blocks by blocks of the cemetery to differentiate sections of the cemetery. As a result, creating such documents is very frustrating and could result in mixing up decedent information, which is a crucial problem. Therefore, a more efficient cemetery management software that can provide accuracy was highly needed to perform more efficient work.
Journey and challenges in digitising cemetery’s records
With all things that need to improve, Artesia Cemetery decided to choose another online cemetery management platform. They believe that Chronicle can provide them with a better software management system at an affordable price.
Transitioning from their old management system to the Chronicle database went really smoothly. The chronicle team conducted a high-definition aerial survey of the cemetery to provide an interactive digital map in the Chronicle app. After that, the result is superimposed onto the original maps provided by the Artesia Cemetery.
Although the process was smooth, that does not mean there was no challenge in digitising the cemetery’s records. Particularly, consolidating the cemetery records based on the aerial survey and converting this information to the Chronicle system have some hindrances. Some data were inaccurate, discrepant, and needed updates, which are very common in many digitisation processes.
The aftermath of the digitisation project
With some strategic approaches, the Chronicle team managed to tackle every challenge. The Chronicle team has managed to provide the Artesia Cemetery with a more accurate, user-friendly, and secure system. In addition, the cemetery can also include pictures of all gravestones in the cemetery to make them easier to recognise. At the same time, it has saved more time and energy for the administrators to work on finding the interment information.
Not only does Chronicle app make the life of the administrators at the Artesia Cemetery easier, but it also provides cemetery visitors with public access to their lost loved ones at the cemetery. Even more, their visitors can access the Historic Walking Tour feature to learn about their local history and use the walk-to-grave feature to locate the location of their loved ones with GPS through their smartphones.
Moreover, the visitors can also add the life story of their loved ones using Life Chronicle. At the same time, they also support the development of the cemetery since the Chronicle shares the revenue of every submission of Life Chronicle with the cemetery. Learn more about the interesting journey of when Artesia Cemetery digitised its cemetery records with Chronicle through this link.
Follow the Artesia Cemetery steps in maximising their services to the community with Chronicle!