Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How can I search for a particular name?

The website has a number of powerful search facilities that can be accessed via the SEARCH link which is on the top menu of every page of the website.

The quickest way to find a specific person is to use the search form near the top of every GPR webpage. If the search produces too many results then you can restrict by using the FULL NAME SEARCH. This will allow you to specify whether you want an exact forename and/or surname as well as specifying the country.

However, for family history research there are three specialist searches which could be a huge help. These are A-Z lists of all the surnames, maiden names and family names held within the Gravestone Photographic Resource database. The lists are especially useful in identifying different spelling of names.

Family names are those surnames that are found as the last name of someones forenames.

These name lists have been specially written so that they are extremely fast and efficient to use.

Associated with the A-Z lists are three routines to give all the surnames, maiden names or family names that are within the GPR for that particular name.

The surname search routine has now been enhanced so that it will now also show maiden and family names hits as well as just the surnames.

The search display can now be changed to a variety of different orders. This can be especially useful if there are lots of results.

The full name search now allows you to select whether or not you want an exact search. If you select the no option then you will get more results but these can be useful if the exact search did not give you the result you wanted. For instance, by just inputting part of the forename and/or surname you will get lots more hits. But these may well contain the one you are looking for. GPR volunteers input what they see on the gravestone monument images. Often these are difficult to read. For example, a monument for Charles Smithe may have been indexed as Charl Smit.

If you get too many results then reduce the number by selecting a particular country or location. For example, a search for the name SMITH will produce thousands of results but restricting it to a specific country such as Cyprus results in a more managable list which is less than 20.

An important part of the design and implementation of the GPR is to help researchers overcome any brick walls they may have hit!