In the summer of 2010, news reports made it clear that burial records and the locations of the remains of many of the honored veterans and their family members were in serious disarray. Numerous instances of errors were found, from markers attached to vacant graves, to multiple burials in the same plot, and bodies not being where they were supposed to be.
Arlington Record System Dated from Civil War
Arlington contains about 220,000 graves holding about 300,000 interments or inurnments dating from 1863; the record-keeping system also dates from that time. Until this year, Arlington had a paper-based system that tried to account for 30 burials a day. After reports of major mismanagement, the previous administration was replaced in June of 2010 Kathryn A. Condon, executive director, Army National Cemeteries Program, and Patrick K. Hallinan, cemetery superintendent.
Technology Helps Improve Record-Keeping at Arlington
At a Congressional hearing on September of 2011, the Ms. Condon noted how technology is now being used to improve the system. “From the soldiers of The Old Guard taking photos and documenting each marker in the cemetery, to replacing the paper records of the past...we now have a digital system that uses industry best practices in database management.” Arlington management is continuing to focus on using current technology to digitize records and is planning to create a searchable database for use by the public.
Ms. Condon admitted that it may not be possible to identify all the missing remains without digging up huge areas, but it is clear that the Arlington management is making an effort to sort out the problems. They also seem committed to making sure that from now on, the system will work correctly.
Photographing the Grave Markers
Part of the improvement is the photography project, which is of particular interest to genealogists. In a plan to capture an image of every grave marker, about 60 members of the Old Guard dressed in casual clothes each night and tramped the 624 acres, photographing markers. They worked at night to avoid the summer heat and to avoid disturbing mourners and visitors to the cemetery, using head lamps to find their way
The Army’s historic Old Guard (Third U.S. Infantry Regiment) typically escorts remains and fire three-volley salutes at military funerals. They also guard the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington, and are thus often called the Tomb Guards. They appear in Arlington in immaculate dress blues and white gloves for their duties.
Photos as Genealogical Records
When the public-access database is completed, it will be a great resource for genealogists. It can be exciting to find an ancestor buried at Arlington, and it will be a special pleasure to have easy access to photos of their grave markers.
Sources:
Arlington's Grave Mix-Ups: Will the Army Ever Fix the Problem? Mark Benjamin, Time Magazine, 3/30/2011
Arlington National Cemetery Website
Troops photographing 219,000 Arlington graves, Kimberly Hefling, MSNBC, updated 8/26/2011
Katharine Garstka - Katharine Garstka specializes in genealogical research and in historical and genealogical writing.
Join the Conversation