Which should you use?
Both Find a Grave and BillionGraves can be useful resources in locating the final resting place for an ancestor but is one better than the other? This post will also describe the differences between the two companies in relation to taking pictures of headstones.
Similarities
- Rely on GPS to help individuals locate a specific headstone. When you take and submit a picture, the GPS location for the headstone is uploaded to the company’s database.
- In both of the apps, you have the option where the picture can be saved to your phone’s photo section. This can be useful if you plan to upload headstone photos to other websites such as WikiTree.
- Each company has a database that you can use to search for individuals, for FREE!
Differences
BillionGraves
- A map feature that indicates what areas of a cemetery have already been photographed.
- An advantage of this feature is that you can determine what areas have not been photographed, saving yourself valuable time.
- Does not have individuals managing headstones
- Memorials cannot be pre-made
- Pictures must be taken using their app.
- Every picture is transcribed and reviewed for accuracy.
- Size of database: Not available
Find a Grave
- Does not have an in app map feature.
- Individuals or the organization hold a managerial position for each memorial.
- Photos can be uploaded from your phone or computer.
- Size of database:
- As of May 6, 2023 the company claims “World’s largest gravesite collection. Over 226 million memorials created by the community since 1995.”
I prefer to use BillionGraves when I am out talking pictures of headstones because the app is designed to make taking photos easier. While I still use Find A Grave as my first stop when actually researching. Let me know what you prefer in the comments below.