FAQs

1.   How accurate is the location mapped?
While GPS and smart phone technology has continuously improved in recent years, the accuracy of the location identified on your device can vary depending on a number of factors relating to satellite, wifi signal and cell tower positions.  With the current technology, one can expect GPS to be accurate within 5-30 meters.  The GPS signal related to the location identified in your search will put you in the approximate area of the figure you are looking for – in some cases it may lead you very close to the specific location; in other situations you may have to do some visual checks but you will be the right area.

2.   I know Mount Pleasant Group operates ten cemeteries but when I select "All Cemeteries" as the search criteria only three cemeteries are noted in the list.  Why is that?   

    The process of building our historical figures data base is an ongoing evolution.  To-date, our effort to identify individuals of historical significance has been focused on our largest and most recognized cemetery, Mount Pleasant Cemetery. We have been adding records from Toronto Necropolis and York Cemetery. In time, we will be adding to our data base to potentially include figures from each of our cemeteries.

3.     What does the "Show Layers" do?
When you click on the Land Map icon  on the Search Result page a map identifying the location of the historical figure appears. The Show Layers checkbox option appears above the map in the left corner. When the box is checked an overlay representing the surveyed graves appears (if it doesn’t please see the next FAQ). The feature has been added to provide an additional reference point to assist you with finding the specific grave you are searching. For example, you can pick a landmark on the map (e.g. an intersection on the road) and count the number of rows and graves from the landmark to the target grave.   

4.     I checked the Show Layers box but nothing happened.

In some instances the Show Layers feature will not function. The reason for this relates to limitations Google has set on their Google Maps platform. If the number of data points (in our case, graves) exceeds a specified level the points will not be displayed.  An example where this occurs is at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Some of the defined sections at the cemetery are very large and the number of graves exceeds the limits permitted by Google Maps.  

An alternative approach to try is viewing in Hybrid map mode. The Hybrid view offers a satellite image of the area and should provide additional visual landmarks as you zoom in to gauge the location of the grave you are searching for. 

5.     What does the "Direction Finder" do?
When you click on the Land Map icon  on the Search Result page a map identifying the location of the historical figure appears. The Directional Finder link appears above the map in the left corner beside the Show Layers option. When clicked, the Directional Finder will open a Google Maps page with Starting Point and Destination input fields. The Destination field will be pre-filled with the grave location associated with your search. Enter your location in the Starting Point field and Google will provide directions to the grave you searched. If you are using a GPS enabled mobile device, Google will give you the option of selecting "your location" as the starting point. 

SEARCH TIPS

1.     First select the cemetery location you are interested in from the drop down menu.  If you select "All Cemeteries" the application will search all of the cemetery records in the Notable Figures data base according to the search parameters entered in the next step

2.   Once the cemetery criteria have been indicated there are two ways to search the data base: by Name or by "Category".

Searching by Name
There are several ways in which you can search using the name field:

          i.        Select one of the names in the drop down menu.  Clicking the down arrow shows a list of all records (by surname) of the individuals in the data base,

         ii.        Type the surname in the name field.  When the Submit button is clicked the Search Results page with the record on it will appear.

        iii.        Enter the first letter of the surname.  A shortlist of all surnames beginning with the record will appear and the name desired can be selected.

        iv.        Similar to (iii) above, if the name of the historical figure begins with a number e.g. 48^th Highlanders you can enter the number or the first number of the sequence.

Searching by Category

        i.        Each Notable Figure in the history database has been cross-referenced by categories e.g. Doctor, Politician/Public Service, etc.
Selecting a category will return a list of all individuals who fall under the category chosen.

Tip: When a Category search is conducted, clicking on the Land Map icon   of the Search Results page will map all individuals for the category.