INVESTIGATING BELL COUNTY CEMETERIES
Developed by Nancy Cooper
 Challenge Group

 Summary: This module will integrate research skills, inquiry skills, cooperative learning, and writing in the investigation of Bell County Cemeteries and the most current phone book of the area.
Connection to the Curriculum: This module will be incorporated into the 7th grade language arts class curriculum will be inclusive of the following TEKS in which the student will investigate the commonality between historical references of a certain area. The students will examine the different ethnic cultures represented in the graveyards; this will be done by the names found on the gravestones, language used, decorative motifs and changing style of gravestones. The students will also compare early historical entrances to the present day entrances and exits to the cemetery..
Time: The class involvement will cover several class periods inclusive of 2 field trips to the cemeteries to collect data.
Season: This module may be done any time of the year.
Materials :
Most current phone book of area.
Digital camera
GPS
Alpha Smart
Classroom computer workstation with printer.
Objectives:
The student will identify and correlate names found in the area phone book to names found in the cemeteries.
The student will formulate theories on wether families found in the cemetery are related to residents listed in the phone book.
The student will examine the headstones for ethnic identity, decorative motifs and changing style of grave markers and headstones.
The student will gather information using the AlphaSmart from graves and headstones to catalog the cemetery in its entirety to date.
The student will be able to locate on a GPS and record the exact location of one gravestone being cataloged.
 Procedures:
The student is introduced to the AlphaSmart and taught how to transcribe information from printed, digitized, and historical sources into the Deceased Census format.
The student is taught the correct usage of the GPS and how to properly record the data onto the cemetery location form.
The student is taught how to gather information from a gravestone including how to enter descriptive information and genealogical information.
The student will catalog 10 gravestones using the appropriate form.
A digital camera photo of the grave will be taken and the student will verify that the information is clear and easily readable.
The student taking the information from the gravestone will search the internet and see if any biographical and historical information can be found.
The student will observe the entrances and exits of the cemetery and record any objects of interest.
The student will compare the cemetery information to the current phone book and make 1 phone call to the name in the phone book to verify if they are related to the deceased.
 Questions:
The student will reflect, respond or create a project addressing at least 3 of the following issues.
1. Were all the graves facing the same way?
2. Describe some of the differences found on the gravestones. This could include motifs, language differences, unique sayings and other items.
3. Were any of the names found on the gravestones found also in the phone book?
Were any of the headstones in a language other than English?
Could you tell the culture of the deceased by the headstone?
Compare and contrast two cemeteries that were cataloged, describing the differences in upkeep, types of headstones, and information found on headstones.
Explain how visiting a historic cemetery might make history more relevant..
 Evaluation:
The student’s information gathering skills (in the cataloging of data) will be compared to the photo of the headstone. The paper over the above information will be graded for the following: heading, name, information presented, use of grammar, use of punctuation use of resources, correct bibliographic information on all resources. The students final cumulative report or project will be evaluated and graded based on grade level and individual standards.
Expanding the lesson:
Used as a springboard to research cultures found in Texas.
Investigate requirements for an Official Historic Texas Cemetery designation.
Interview families from around the area to see if they have family buried in this area.
Investigate vandalism in cemeteries in Texas.
Identify family burial locations and identify living descendants.
 Resources:
Print Material
Handbook of Texas / Walter Prescott Webb : Austin , Texas : Texas Historical Association, c 1952
Historic churches of Texas; the land and the people / Frank A. Driskill and Noel Grisham : Burnet, Texas : Eakin Press, c1980.
History of Bell County / George W. Tyler, : Belton, Texas : Dayton Kelley, c 1936, 1966
Old Texas trails / edited and compiled by Kenneth F. Neighbors, Burnet ,Texas: Eakin Press, c 1979.
Papers concerning Robertson’s Colony in Texas/ compiled and edited by Malcolm D. McLean : Forth Worth, Texas : Texas Christian University Press, c 1975
Story of Bell County Texas / E. A. Limmer Jr. editor ; Bell County Historical Commission, : Austin, Texas, Eakin Press, c 1988.
Texas : the beginning 1519-1834/ William Edward Syers: photographs by John E. Redden. : Waco, Texas : Texian Press, c1978
Texas with particular reference to German immigration and the physical
Appearance of the country/ described through personal observation by Dr. Ferdinand Roemer ; translated from the German by Oswald Mueller, : San Antonio, Texas : Standard Printing Company, special heritage edition, Eakins Press, c1983,1995
Those buried Texans / Tom Allen : Dallas , Texas ; Hendrick-Long Publishing Co. c 1980.
Tombstone records of Bell County, Texas/ privately printed, unknown author, no copyright date.
Various cemetery records Bell County Texas / Self typed , unknown author, no copyright date,
Internet Websites:
Students will rate websites using the numerica
l scale provided in Evaluation Process of a Web site.
Institute of Texas Cultures

http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu
This site is an educational center where learning about Texas history and culture is an adventure. Suitable for all grade levels.
Texas County Information
http://www.state.tx.us/county
This site contains county maps in ARC format and census information. Suitable for all grade levels.
Consortium of web sites on Texas
Http://www.flash.net/~alamo3/texianweb/texweb.htm
This site is a search engine for websites in Texas. Suitable for all grade levels.
Texas State Archives
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/
This site preserves and documents the heritage and culture of Texas. Suitable for all grade levels.
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Revised: December 12, 2000