Understanding FindAGrave's 'Percent Photographed' Feature

FindAGrave, a popular online cemetery and memorial database, offers a unique feature called 'Percent Photographed.' This feature displays a percentage next to each memorial, indicating the proportion of photographs available for that individual. While seemingly straightforward, this feature often leads to confusion among genealogists and family historians.

What Does 'Percent Photographed' Really Mean?

Contrary to popular belief, the 'Percent Photographed' value doesn't reflect the actual number of photos available for a specific ancestor. Instead, it represents the percentage of people buried in the same cemetery who have at least one photo associated with their memorial.

For example, if a cemetery has 100 individuals buried, and 50 of them have at least one photo uploaded, the 'Percent Photographed' for that cemetery would be 50%. This means that even if an individual's memorial doesn't have any photos, the cemetery's 'Percent Photographed' might still be high.

Why is This Important?

Understanding the true meaning of 'Percent Photographed' is crucial for genealogists using FindAGrave for research. It's tempting to assume that a high percentage indicates a higher chance of finding a photo for a specific ancestor. However, this isn't always the case.

For instance, a cemetery with a 90% 'Percent Photographed' could still have individuals with no photos associated with their memorials. Conversely, a cemetery with a low percentage might have a specific individual with multiple photos available.

Tips for Finding Photos on FindAGrave

While 'Percent Photographed' might not be a foolproof indicator of photo availability, it can still be helpful. Here are some tips for finding photos on FindAGrave:

• Check the memorial page: Look for the 'Photos' tab on the individual's memorial page. This will display all uploaded photos.
• Search by cemetery: If you know the cemetery where your ancestor is buried, search for it on FindAGrave and browse the memorials. This can give you a better idea of photo availability for the cemetery as a whole.
• Use the 'Photos' filter: FindAGrave allows you to filter your search results by memorials with photos. This can narrow down your search and increase your chances of finding relevant photos.
• Contact FindAGrave members: If you're having trouble finding photos, consider contacting other FindAGrave members who have added memorials for the same cemetery. They might have additional information or photos to share.

Conclusion

While FindAGrave's 'Percent Photographed' feature can be a useful tool, it's important to understand its limitations. It's not a guarantee of photo availability for a specific individual. By using the tips outlined above, you can increase your chances of finding photos for your ancestors on FindAGrave.