A question for all. Do you think that there would be a purpose/need for cemetries to be digitalised? I'm just thinking that for those that cant visit these sites, it may give an idea of there layout, size etc. Subject to the way it could be surveyed each grave could also be picked up with name etc. Your thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated.
Eddie An interesting thought. Just imagine, if the same type of camera could be used that operates so well on GOOGLE's Streetview and was allowed to scan row after row of headstones ?. Think how much easier it would be to do genuine research or to see the headstone of a loved one. Regards Ron
Ron I am going to produce a 3d image in the near future of a cemetry, probably Taukkyan. I will them render the image and create a walk through. This will give some idea of what I can produce, through my own time. I do however work for a company that have the capabilities of undertaking such a task, which I am looking into, which will be able to produce imagery to that of google street view. The only downside of this is that it is something that cannot be done for 'gratis'. The only way forward with this would be to get sponsorship, lottery grant etc from outside sources to under take this arduous task. I believe however that it would have lots of benefits in various ways. If I can get a decent response from this thread and some comments or queires about what can be achieved I will look into it more and see where this project can go. Ed
Sounds like a great idea! and as Ron says if along the lines of Google Earth it could be an invaluble resource.
Great minds... I was thinking about doing that the "old fashioned" (by hand) way for the Botley cemetry and then figured out the time needed to photograph each grave, then do the html to make a plan of the plots and then resize and link all the photos and then find a server to host them etc etc so I can see if your company has a more automated way of doing it then I can see why the technology and time would me it needed to be paid for by sponsorship of some kind. Ine thing that worried me was that the CWGC site at Botley is well organised, but two of the other three parts of the cemetary certainly are not. Off topic.... I remember being part of a survay team for the creation of a golf course acurate to 1 inch for a golf game I was working on. This was done "old school". Two months to survay, two weeks to photograph the key locations and trees and then 18 months to actually recreate the thing. Any automation is wll worth the money !
I am hoping that I will be able to get out a produce a small scale survey of a cemetery sometime during the next couple of weeks. I would like to do a sample on a cemetery locally, army, navy, RAF one would be perfect as the set up would then give me an idea as to what exactly could be achieved. Has anyone got any ideas or knowledge of a cemetery that is in Kent preferrably within easy access of the M25?
Eddie This would be a good one for you. I've been there a number of times and it has 60 headstones (most in a large plot) and the rest are scattered. Not far either. I could take you there for a recce as first time out it's not easy to find. CWGC :: Cemetery Details
A question for all. Do you think that there would be a purpose/need for cemetries to be digitalised? I'm just thinking that for those that cant visit these sites, it may give an idea of there layout, size etc. Subject to the way it could be surveyed each grave could also be picked up with name etc. Your thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated. I am currently doing photos of East Anglian RAAF & RNZAF war graves for Spidge (off this forum) and Glen Turner the secretary of the 75 (NZ) Sqn Assn because there are projects to put all those countries graves on a site so people can access them. I would be glad to take photos of any grave in the East Anglian area though some might take me longer to do than others. Dee
Ramacal Sounds a good plot to me. However I have just made contact with Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery to ask permission with them. But I could also contact the 'owners' of the site you have given as they are closer. Do you know if it is council owned or under the jurisdiction of the church? Ed
I don't know whose responsibility Orpington (St. Mary Cray) Cemetery comes under, but I've never had any problems as it is always open. It is fairly close though and a small one to try out as well.
Eddie, I do not know if you have viewed this thread on the forum. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/20281-re-syracuse-virtual-cemetery.html Regards Tom
Thanks for bringing that thread and site back to our attention Tom. And thank you to Mr Giannitto and his class for the hard work to make the site. And ofcourse Verrieres for bringing it to our attention initially! Blimey, a lot of time and effort has gone into those sites and some nice programming in the background.
I've been looking but can't find it. I believe someone did something like this for Kranji Memorial in Singapore. I remember it feeling like you could walk up to the wall in various spots and read the names clearly. Maybe someone can sniff it out. This sounds wonderful to me. I am excited to see the end product on this one. cheers, phil
Thanks for bringing that thread and site back to our attention Tom. And thank you to Mr Giannitto and his class for the hard work to make the site. And ofcourse Verrieres for bringing it to our attention initially! Blimey, a lot of time and effort has gone into those sites and some nice programming in the background. Andy, Thanks for your kind comments. I have nothing but admiration for the likes of people such as Mr Giannitto that produces a virtual cemetery that you can look around remotely. This has to be a great way forward and it enables people who, for many reasons, are not able to travel to that cemetery to visit relatives etc. Regards Tom
I emailed Sebastiano Giannitto on yesterday to see how his next project is coming on. As you know Syracuse us complete, as well as Agira and Catania, and Moro River will be completed 99% by mid May. BRITISH VIRTUAL WAR CEMETERY OF SYRACUSE by 1°ITIS M. Bartolo - PACHINO CANADIAN VIRTUAL WAR CEMETERY of AGIRA by 1°ITIS M. Bartolo - PACHINO VIRTUAL BRITISH WAR CEMETERY OF CATANIA by 1°IIS M. Bartolo - PACHINO MORO RIVER CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY of by 1°ITIS M. Bartolo - PACHINO Having seen this thread briefly last week, I posed the question, and yes, as I thought, Sebastiano, and his team are already working on taking their virtual cemeteries to the next stage, so watch this space. Eddie, not sure of you know the background, but Sebastiano is a a teacher of electronics and informatic of the 1st Institute of Higher Education "M. Bartolo" in Pachino, so have you considered contacting your local University Electronics Dept to see of they would be interested in getting involved? Phil
