Bell County Cemeteries

Bell County Cemeteries:
A Comparative Study of the
1900 Census and Bell County
Cemeteries

Developed by: Brenda Williams

Summary: This module will integrate research, inquiry, cooperative learning, and writing in the investigation of Bell County Cemeteries and the 1900 Census of Bell County.

Connection to the Curriculum: This module will be used with SSCED TEKS grade 7 (TEKS-SS #8a, 8b, 11a, 21a,b,c). The student will understand the significance of individuals and events from the turn of the century. The student will analyze data catalogued from historic cemeteries. The student will understand the interaction and correlation between census gathering and cemeteries. The student will develop an understanding and theory of how immigration, and economics influences affected the history of the area.

Time: The project will involve several class periods inclusive of 2 field trips to the cemeteries to collect data.

Season: This instructional research module may be done any time of the year.

Materials :
1900 census—copied from Temple Public Library – Genealogy Department
Digital camera
GPS
AlphaSmart
Classroom computer station with printer

Objectives:

The student will identify the names from the 1900 census and cemeteries visited to compare and locate deceased burial plots.

The student using the AlphaSmart will gather information from headstones and individual markers and collaborate to compile a complete catalog of the cemetery.

The student will be able to locate on a GPS the exact location of one gravestone being catalogued and record the coordinates.

The student will identify historical events that caused deaths, [i.e.: wars, diasaters, and health epidemics] from the headstones and integrate into further research.

The student will identify the first burial in the cemetery and the last [if it is a historical cemetery]

The student will attempt to gather the reasons, conditions, or situations that deemed it necessary to begin the cemetery.

Procedures:

Student is introduced to the AlphaSmart and taught how to transcribe information from printed, digitized, and historical sources into the format.
Student is taught the proper usage of the GPS and how to properly record the data onto the correct forms
Student is given an overview of why census data is gathered and what information is found on the 1900 census. The student then will transcribe and correlate the information from the 1900 census to a corresponding database.
Student is taught proper information gathering skills from a gravestone. This will include how to enter descriptive information and genealogical information.
The student will catalog 10 gravestones using the correct form.
A digital camera photo of the grave will be taken and the student will verify that the information is clear and easily readable to be compiled into a digital database.
The student taking the information from the gravestone will search the Internet and other sources to see if any additional biographical and historical information can be found.
The student will observe the entrances and exits of the cemetery and record any objects of interest.

Questions:

The student will create a cumulative report or project addressing the following questions from the data collected.

Identify the graves located in the cemetery.
Identify why was the cemetery started.

3. Describe some of the historical events identified through the headstones.

4. Were any of the names found on the gravestones found also on the 1900 census?

5. Describe something from the cemetery visit that would be remembered and used in the future.

Evaluation:

The student’s information gathering skills (in cataloguing of the data) will be compared to the photo of the headstone.

A project or report will be handed in on the observations of the cemetery and over the questions asked in the above section.

Expanding the lesson:

Have student e-mail Texas State Historical Commission’s Cemetery Coordinator [currently Gerron Hite] and ask questions concerning the cemeteries being catalogued.

2. Research the qualifications for the Official Historic Texas Cemetery designation and if any of the cemeteries qualify.

Compare size of family in the 1800’s versus the 1900’s.
Research the ethnic identities of the cemetery.
Contact relatives for further knowledge.
Find out more information about Junior Texas Historians at http://textime.org
Identify various fraternal organizations in relation to reason for membership and identification on headstone.

7. Have student research family history to see if any family member is buried in any of the cemeteries catalogued.

Resources:

Print materials

History of Bell County /George W. Tyler : Becton Texas, Dayton Kelley, Library Binding Co. c 1936.

Handbook of Texas / Walter Prescott Webb : Austin, Texas : Texas State Historical Commission, c 1952

Story of Bell County /Bell County Historical Commission : Austin, Texas : Eakin Press, c1988.

United States 1900 census Bell County Texas

Internet Websites:

Institute of Texan Cultures
http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu

This is an educational center where learning about Texas history and culture is an adventure. Suitable for all grades.

Texas County Information
http://www.state.tx.us/county

This site contains county maps and census information for each county. Suitable for all grades.

Texian Heritage Society
http://users.constant.com/~ths/

This site is a living history organization which shares interest in pre-1840 Texas. Suitable for all grades.

Consortium of web sites on Texas history ; allows searching on Texas subjects

http://www.flash.net/~alamo3/texianweb/texweb.htm

Biographical Dictionary
http://www.s9.com/biography/

This is a search engine on famous people. Suitable for all ages.

Texas State Archives
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/

This site preserves and documents the heritage and culture of Texas. Suitable for all grades.

All of these sites meet the criteria for reputable publications, but the student will do the numerical evaluation of each web site.