Comment
photographs without permsission
Whilst I can see that this site may be a useful resource for people who are researching family history, I have to say that I was shocked and more than a little upset to find my parents' grave on the site. I came across the site and the image entirely by chance and, in all honesty, I feel quite angry and disappointed that someone can take a photograph of the headstone and then upload without relatives' permission
I can understand your feelings. I was surprised when I first joined a family history site, to find my parents listed in the tree of someone I had never heard of. The people who photograph gravestones (as I have done) are looking for information, and mean no disrespect. There is no way to ask permission of family - I have many siblings, in theory not one of them could give sole permission to allow photographs of a family monument. I regard uploading photos as a public service, helping others in their research. Information shown on gravestones can be very helpful!
In the 15 years I have been running the GPR I have had 5 requests to remove details from the website. Whenever anyone does contact me to remove information from the database, I do ask them to confirm that this request is supported by all members of the immediate family.
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