Map and records search: Shire of Kojonup (Kojonup Cemetery, Muradup Cemetery, and Boscabel Cemetery)
Total Plots: 3283 Plots
Location: Western Australia, Australia
- Digitised 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
The Shire of Kojonup, located in Western Australia, manages three cemeteries – Kojonup Cemetery, Moradup Cemetery, and Boscabel Cemetery. Most importantly, these cemeteries have a rich history and serve as final resting places for many loved ones. The Kojonup Cemetery is the oldest of the three, while the Boscabel Cemetery is the most remote one, near the town of Boscabel. In addition to that, Moradup Cemetery lies on the western side of the Muradup town site on Blackwood Road.
The Condition Before Digitisation
Before the digitisation project, the Shire faced several challenges in managing the cemeteries efficiently. Lorreen, the cemetery manager, faced numerous difficulties during her 19-year tenure. For example, locating the decedent’s grave was a cumbersome task. On the other hand, some records were often mistakenly inputted. Additionally, located 20 km away from the office, cemeteries found it challenging to check on the ground for the plots. Therefore, these challenges prompted Lorreen to consider digitisation as a solution.
Although the approval process for the digitisation project was long, the councils were supportive because it was in line with the Cemeteries Act 1986. However, after several rounds of discussions and planning, the Shire collaborated with the Chronicle team to ensure that all data was correct prior to digitisation.
The Digitisation Process
The aerial imagery conducted in the cemeteries provided a clear view of the cemetery from above. Therefore, the digitisation process was smooth and quick. The Chronicle team worked with Lorreen to ensure that all information was correctly captured and uploaded into the app. Then, the end result is to create interactive digital maps of each cemetery.
The digitisation process continued to a consultation phase. It was where the Shire of Kojonup worked closely with the Chronicle team. They were available to ensure and consolidate that all data was correct and ready for digitisation. This involved identifying all of the relevant documents and records that needed to be digitised. In addition to that, it also involved verifying the accuracy of the information contained within them. Once the consultation phase was complete, the digitisation process itself began. Specifically, this involved scanning all of the relevant documents and records and converting them into a digital format.
Finally, the Chronicle team managed to collate and organise the digital records into a searchable database. Moreover, the team also added relevant features that would enhance the experience for both the cemetery staff and visitors. Then, the Shire of Kojonup and the public can access this online database anywhere at anytime. Of course, this online database provided a more efficient way of managing burial and plot records, allowing for faster and more accurate searches.
The End Results and Benefits of Digitisation
The digitisation project of the Shire of Kojonup cemeteries has been a great success. In fact, the three cemeteries in the Shire of Kojonup are the first cemeteries Chronicle has digitised in Western Australia. Even more, Radio ABC invited Lorreen to share her stories about digitising their cemeteries with Chronicle. Therefore, it was great news for Chronicle to be acknowledged in the national media. It surely helps expand our wings to digitise more and more cemeteries in Western Australia.
On another note, Lorreen found the Chronicle app easy to use, and families appreciated the positive impacts of the Chronicle cemetery software. Specifically, the app offers various features that enable visitors to create a more meaningful cemetery visit experience. Furthermore, the Historic Walking Tour feature from Chronicle offers visitors information about the cemetery’s history and the people buried there.
In addition to that, the cemeteries now have the Life Chronicle Online Memorials, where visitors can create online memorials for their loved ones, complete with pictures and stories. Furthermore, Lorreen encourages families to submit eulogies for their loved ones by using this feature
Chronicle also wants other cemeteries in Western Australia to follow the path of the Shire of Kojonup in digitising their cemeteries. Therefore, if you are interested to know more about our journey in digitising cemeteries, you can click the button below to talk about your concern regarding the subject directly with us.