Erin Moulton, a reference/genealogical librarian at Derry Public Library, has authored a new book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing.” Here, Moulton looks over aging stones at Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry.
Erin Moulton, a reference/genealogical librarian at Derry Public Library, has authored a new book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing.” Here, Moulton looks over aging stones at Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry.
And for Erin Moulton, learning the stories behind aging gravestones is what led her to write a book to help others learn about the past.
Moulton has authored the book “The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing: A Scavenger Hunt and Workbook,” and hopes anyone wanting to embark on some graveyard discoveries will use the book to help identify clues and information on not only their own ancestors but also historical facts about communities and those who lived there.
In her book’s forword, Moulton calls cemeteries “wonderful places to access history, genealogy, art and stories.”
“Each gravestone holds unique clues about the person who lies beneath,” she wrote in the forword.
And those clues can lead to more research and adventures ahead.
Moulton uses her love of research and genealogy in her regular job as a reference/genealogy librarian at Derry Public Library, and is often on a search for more details and information about a specific person or place.
She has worked on many projects as part of the local library, including its strong genealogical programming, but also ventures out to share her knowledge and love of discovery in specific historical programs, tours and just finding out as much as she can about a person, place or subject.
The book gives readers opportunities to learn how to delve into gravestones, the carved artwork by stone artists of past generations and to learn more about a person’s life, job and family.
Moulton said she wanted to do something “interactive” that could then be used for more research and the gathering of details.
The book includes pages for jotting down thoughts and information and even a scavenger hunt.
Pages also offer space for writing down useful information found about stone carvers, cemetery locations and sketches. Cemetery abbreviations and symbols are also included.
Moulton hopes her book will give people a chance to grab a pen or pencil, take the book and stroll through area cemeteries to learn more about the names engraved on the stones and those buried beneath.
She also wants people to learn and enjoy the journey.
“I just wanted to have fun with it,” Moulton said of her book, adding cemeteries aren’t scary to explore, but a trove of information.
She urges people to prepare to discover “something old, something new and have fun in the process.”
