Not enrolled in BillionGraves Plus? Here are 3 Features You Are Missing
BillionGraves is not a site that all genealogists use, but it packs value.
There is a free level of service through which you can use BillionGraves to search for burial records. If you like taking photos in cemeteries, it’s easy to contribute - you use the BillionGraves app to take headstone photos and they are uploaded to the site via Wi-Fi connection. You don’t even have to transcribe them - why? Because the BillionGraves auto-transcribes them with computers, and engages real people to verify the automated transcriptions. Furthermore, the GPS data from the photo you take, is used to create detailed maps that show burial locations. The GPS info on the site is, many times over, easier than using GPS info on Find-A-Grave. It’s the world’s largest GPS-linked cemetery database site.
Let me tell about the subscription option though; I just renewed my BillionGraves Plus (BG Plus) subscription and I want to share with you the 3 features you are missing if you don’t use it.
Here are the top 3 features I like with the BG Plus subscription level:
auto-notifications
nearby burials
you can get BG Plus for free!
How are these features helpful?
The auto-notifications allow you to enter a surname and you will receive emails every time a record is added to the database with that surname. The system does the search for you and what a time saver! This can be used for your personal research, or even surname studies. I have two surname studies - Koonce and Vanderbilt and I love the notifications - it helps me stay on top of the research.
In a burial plot, knowing who is buried nearby your person of interest can be important. BG Plus makes is easier than Find-A-Grave for seeing who is buried nearby, given the extensive GPS data that’s used in the backend of the site.
Not everyone wants to spend the yearly fee (about $60 year), but the BG team is not above bribing you 🤣. You can earn a free month of BG Plus credit by either a) uploading at least 2,500 headstone photographs in one month, or b) complete 500 or more transcriptions in the month. Your credit is then applied to the next month. In my experience, while I may not get that many photos taken per month, the transcriptions threshold is quite attainable with a few hours of work. Who doesn’t like free stuff?
Check out BillionGraves and see how it can help you. In fact, I challenge you - see if by doing transcriptions, you can earn your first free month. There is a leaderboard to show you your stats.
Looks like I have some work to do this month; join me and tell me about your experience.
Taneya Y. Koonce (Genealogy | Memory Keeping | Organization)
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