BillionGraves 4+

This app has been a joy to use! Easy to take and upload pics. Figured out that I can’t transcribe from my phone, it has to be from my laptop. I also haven’t figured out how to check my dashboard from my phone app but I can easily do it from my laptop. I’m sure I’ll figure it out but between the two I can easily take pics, upload, transcribe and check my dashboard.
This app is also links to family tree which allows cross connecting so that other genealogy sites

I love using this app, and the cause it is being used for is admirable. But as one of the latest people using the app, users should mind a couple of quirks when recording headstones.

First off, since it uses both your camera to take the photo, and your location to record where the headstone is, the app drains your battery FAST. I could usually get about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours worth of photo taking before needing to charge. Make sure you have some method of charging your phone before starting for a better experience.

And second off, the Uploading of photos. After you finish taking your photos, you can upload them to the website’s database for public use. The app uploads one picture at a time; and depending on how many photos were taken, and the signal strength of the area, uploading all of your photos will take anywhere from half as long to twice as long as it took to take the photos. Another thing about the upload to keep in mind, is that you HAVE to keep the app open while it is uploading, or it will pause the upload. And once again, the process eats through your battery very quickly.

So overall, it’s a good app, you just have to be mindful of a few quirks and for goodness sake, keep an eye on your battery.

It’s an interesting app, however it’s search function is flawed. When filling out the criteria for the search you might as well be searching for Santa Claus. Because if you put in the last name. state, city and county of the deceased you get the entire state or at least a subset of it.
The app developers should be willing to give people accurate information and not fill the screen with tombstone images that aren’t accurate.

The app should come back with this:

“Sorry this grave has not been photographed. Would you like to have one of our volunteer grave photographers take a picture of your loved ones gravesite? If so, please provide your loved one’s detailed information and we will get the word out.”

Then, when a volunteer is photographing a gravesite they know they are truly helping a family’s memory continue.

Your current database search engine for a deceased is nothing short of a disappointing experience. It should be proactive. Inviting each one to ask for volunteer help in the matter. And not give up in disappointment!

This app could be an fantastic family experience if I was developing it. Or, if you are willing to really take some advice from an experienced application developer.

Family grave history doesn’t need to be lost!

Denny H.
Naples, Fl