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== What is a Sexton? == | == [[Image:1024px-DSC_0048-Ostfriedhof-1-Dortmund_Germany.JPG|right|350x300px]]What is a Sexton? == | ||
A sexton is the office of the person or persons who are in charge of a cemetery. They are often referred to as the caretaker of a cemetery. Churches also have a sexton for the maintenance of the church building and/or the surrounding graveyard. In larger buildings, such as cathedrals, a team of sextons may be employed. Also in some cities where there are multiple cemeteries, there may be a city-appointed department to fulfill the many responsibilities required to maintain the local cemeteries. | A sexton is the office of the person or persons who are in charge of a cemetery. They are often referred to as the caretaker of a cemetery. Churches also have a sexton for the maintenance of the church building and/or the surrounding graveyard. In larger buildings, such as cathedrals, a team of sextons may be employed. Also in some cities where there are multiple cemeteries, there may be a city-appointed department to fulfill the many responsibilities required to maintain the local cemeteries. | ||
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The word "Sexton" is said to be derived from the Anglo-Norman word "segerstein", which originated from the Latin word "sacristanus", which basically refers to "someone who looks after the sacred objects".<br><br> | The word "Sexton" is said to be derived from the Anglo-Norman word "segerstein", which originated from the Latin word "sacristanus", which basically refers to "someone who looks after the sacred objects".<br><br> | ||
== What are the responsibilities of a Sexton? == | == What are the responsibilities of a Sexton? == | ||
Amongst the traditional duties of the sexton in small parishes was the digging of graves - the gravedigger in Hamlet refers to himself as sexton, for example. In modern times, grave digging is usually done by an outside contractor. The general duties of a modern sexton may include (but are not limited to): | Amongst the traditional duties of the sexton in small parishes was the digging of graves - the gravedigger in Hamlet refers to himself as sexton, for example. In modern times, grave digging is usually done by an outside contractor. The general duties of a modern sexton may include (but are not limited to): | ||
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*Retaining copies of keys to every above-ground mausoleum and crypt | *Retaining copies of keys to every above-ground mausoleum and crypt | ||
== What are Sexton Records? == | == What are Sexton Records? == | ||
Sexton Records are the records kept by the sexton for most cemeteries. Family cemeteries may be an exception, but government, corporate and church cemeteries usually have a set of sexton's records. These are always worth checking, but become even more important in cases where the gravestones have been lost, vandalized, or otherwise damaged. | Sexton Records are the records kept by the sexton for most cemeteries. Family cemeteries may be an exception, but government, corporate and church cemeteries usually have a set of sexton's records. These are always worth checking, but become even more important in cases where the gravestones have been lost, vandalized, or otherwise damaged. | ||
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*Clues to other avenues of research (church they associated with, clergyman’s name, funeral home, memorial company, etc.) | *Clues to other avenues of research (church they associated with, clergyman’s name, funeral home, memorial company, etc.) | ||
== Finding Sexton Records == | == Finding Sexton Records == | ||
The best place to find these records, not surprisingly, is at the sexton's office in the cemetery, but some older records and records from cemeteries that are no longer "active" (a cemetery where burials are no longer taking place) may have been handed over to local genealogical or historical societies. If you're quite sure you have the correct cemetery, but there are no records available there, check at the local city hall as they sometimes hold the sexton records there. If they do not have the records on location, they will know who the local sexton or record keepers are, and how to get a hold of them. | The best place to find these records, not surprisingly, is at the sexton's office in the cemetery, but some older records and records from cemeteries that are no longer "active" (a cemetery where burials are no longer taking place) may have been handed over to local genealogical or historical societies. If you're quite sure you have the correct cemetery, but there are no records available there, check at the local city hall as they sometimes hold the sexton records there. If they do not have the records on location, they will know who the local sexton or record keepers are, and how to get a hold of them. | ||