Hadleyville Cemetery Part 1

·      Introduction

o   Provide background to the problem at hand. What are the problems and challenges facing Hadleyville cemetery?

§  The town of Pleasant Valle would like a detailed, accurate map of the Hadleyville Cemetery; however, all maps and original records have been lost. The cemetery also has monuments dating as far back as 1865, many of which are likely made of limestone or marble. These materials tend to degrade over time and many of the engravings will be difficult or impossible to read. Burial plots without any identification will also add to the challenge of creating a complete collection of attributes for each plot.

o   Why is the loss of original maps and records a particular challenge for this project?

§  In creating an updated and accurate map for the cemetery the original records and maps would be very useful in identifying unmarked burial plots, which would not only assist in the development of complete records but also help to eliminate the sale of an already occupied plot. A monument that has been left un-replaced most likely indicates the lack of any loved ones left in the area, making identification very difficult.

o   How will GIS provide a solution to this problem?

§  GIS is capable of storing the necessary information associated with the spatial data included within the map, which will fulfill the request of a detailed map. ArcGIS online can then be used to publish the results as a web map with all the associated records for each plot accessible by simply clicking on a plot. The web map can also be shared in various manners, which should greatly reduce the odds of the information being lost again.

o   What makes this a GIS project, and not a simple map?

§  The Town of Pleasant Valley has requested a detailed map. They would not only like an accurate map of burial plot locations but also attribute information for each plot and a GIS is needed to store the attributes associated with each plot.

o   What equipment are you going to use to gather the data needed to construct the GIS?

§  A UAV will be used to obtain a current, high resolution aerial image of the cemetery, a survey grade GPS will be used to collect coordinates of each plot, and a field notebook will be used to record a predetermined list of observable attribute information about each point recorded. The predetermined list will include; name, sex, birth date, date of passing, head stone condition, and headstone material. GPR equipment would be useful in determining whether or not any unmarked areas are occupied and in surveying the outskirts of the cemetery to define boundaries and ensure no occupied areas are missed. Paint would be used to outline unmarked plots and flags will be used to label the GPS assigned point number for each unmarked plot.

o   What drawbacks are there to the method you propose? How do the pros outweigh the cons of this method?

§  The biggest drawback would be lack of information. Given that all original records have been lost, it will be very difficult to obtain attribute information about the burial plots without monuments or illegible monuments. The age of some of the plots could also be a drawback; according to Geomodel, Inc., GPR equipment has more difficulty detecting burials that are older than 50 years. The presence of rocks and tree roots can also impede upon the ability of GPR equipment to detect burial remains. A possible remedy to these issues is that it may be possible in situations where a casket no longer remains for GPR data to be analyzed for trenches or disturbed soil as an indication of burial. Another drawback could be obtaining accurate attribute data for each plot; this however can be remedied with specific, simplified language for information to be collected and sufficient communication concerning method of collection. Despite the lack of original data, the UAV will be able to provide a very accurate image of the current state of the cemetery, the survey grade GPS will be able to generate very accurate coordinates for each plot, careful field observation can help to obtain a complete as possible attribute table, and finally GPR equipment could prove to be of great value in the prevention of the sale of an already occupied plot as well as delimiting the current boundaries of the cemetery.

·      Methods

o   What is the sampling technique you chose to use? Why?

§  Each headstone will be marked by a point on a survey grade GPS unit. The attributes associated with each occupied plot will be recorded in a field notebook. From here the data collected will be transferred into a table, and then linked to the GPS points. A UAV equipped with a high resolution camera will take a photo of the entire cemetery; this photo will be used as a base map for the GPS points and the connected attributes. From here, the hope is to make an interactive map by linking the GPS points and associated attributes to the high resolution base map, so it is usable by the county officials or anyone who does not have any form of training in GIS. The idea is to make the final product as user friendly as is possible by creating an interactive web map for the county to use.

o   What is the accuracy of the equipment you are intending to use? (Be sure to cover each piece of equipment)

§  The GPS unit will be a survey grade unit, which is accurate up to a centimeter, to prevent graves from being inaccurately marked. The UAV will have a very high resolution camera and the ability to collect data from various altitudes in order to obtain an optimal image. The accuracy of humans collecting data will depend on pre-organization and planning as well as the individual`s ability to collect data. The GPR equipment should be able to obtain information from depths of at least 8 feet below ground and accuracy will be affected by soil type and age of the burial.

o   How was the data entered/recorded? Why did choose this data entry method?

§  In the field, the data will be recorded as points on a GPS unit with the associated attributes being written in a field notebook. Once the necessary data has been collected, the GPS points will be uploaded into a GIS, and the attributes entered into a table. This method has been chosen because it is the most direct method of data collection.

o   How will you transfer the data you gather into a GIS?

§  Each attribute will be entered into an excel table, converted into a csv file, and imported into a GIS by linking it to the GPS points.

o   What drawbacks are there to the method you propose? How do the pros outweigh the cons of this method?

§  There are several opportunities for human error while collecting the data, but this method is a simple and efficient way of providing the county with the needed data. The chance of human error can also be significantly reduced by the formation of a well thought out, detailed method for attribute data collection and double checking every entry. Because the scale of the project is fairly small, any errors in data should be easily corrected.

·      Conclusion

o   How do your methods transfer to the overall objectives of your proposal?

§  The intent is to create an interactive web map that can be used by anyone regardless of the amount of GIS training. The methods outlined here will provide just that. By linking the GPS points to the attributes and then using an accurate base map to show the current condition of the cemetery, any person with an internet connection, and some computer literacy, should be able to click any point on the map to find out if the plot is occupied, and in many cases by whom. This would also help to prevent any future loss of records.