TX-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION
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"Our Loose Ends" Genealogy Column
by Lynna Kay Shuffield
Houston, Texas

The Global Positioning System (GPS) "is a satellite-based navigation system consisting of a network of 24 orbiting satellites that are eleven thousand nautical miles in space and in six different orbital paths. The satellites are constantly moving, making two complete orbits around the Earth in just under 24-hours."

I use an eTrex™ 12 parallel channel GPS receiver manufactured by Garmin to mark the location of gravemarkers. The eTrex weights 6-ounces and is only 4-inches high and 2-inches wide. The eTrex only has five (5) operator buttons and is user-friendly. Additionally, the eTrex is completely waterproof so it can take an accidental splash or dunk in the water and still continue to perform. Another great feature is that the eTrex™ will operate 18-hours on two (2) AA batteries.

In rural Milam County, Texas, the eTrex indicated accuracy within 3 to 5-feet. That is excellent results for its cost and easy to operate features. You can spend considerable more money for GPS that will be accurate within a few inches, however, the cost for that equipment is exceptionally high and they are extremely complex and involved to operate.

For more information and to see a photograph of the eTrex, visit: http://www.garmin.com/products/etrex/. I purchased my eTrex at Academy Sporting Goods for $119 + tax.

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The USGS Geographic Names Information System at: http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html will allow you to search for cemeteries in a particular county and it will give the Longitude/Latitude.

If you have cemeteries in your county that are not included in the USGS Geographic Names Information System database, you can send them the name of the cemetery and the Longitude/Latitude taken at the center-point of the cemetery, 4-corners (or however many corners there are to the cemetery) and at the entrance, approximately six (6) readings and they will add the cemetery to their database.

The USGS Geographic Names Information System database is used to make new maps. Therefore, by adding cemeteries to their database the cemetery will then begin to appear on new road maps.