This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.

I just discovered a fascinating and revolutionary new Web site — namesinstone.com. Names in Stone is a repository of interactive cemetery records and maps that allows visitors to search for a burial record and quickly retrieve the grave location and information about the deceased.

Names in Stone was developed by David Day and Bruce Cheney of Gateway Mapping, Inc., a subsidiary of J-U-B ENGINEERS, Inc. Gateway Mapping specializes in Geographic Information Systems. The company uses computer technology to create "smart maps," or maps that provide useful information beyond simply a picture.

What makes Names in Stone so unique? The maps. I typed in my last name, and I immediately saw 236 results of potential relatives. I found my grandfather, James Ball, and saw where he was buried, read information about him and even had the opportunity to virtually decorate his grave with flowers. Names in Stone lets you see who is buried next to whom, which helps establish family relationships and solve family research mysteries. It is almost like visiting the cemetery in person.

Names in Stone also has a unique online mapping tool that allows visitors to create their own interactive cemetery maps. This is an excellent way to preserve information for small and often neglected cemeteries. David's son Adam used this tool to map and document information of a small cemetery for his Eagle Scout Project.

David told me that the company is regularly adding cemeteries to the site. Most of the cemeteries it currently offers are in Utah, but cemeteries in California, New York and Idaho have recently been added, and the Web site has the capability to host cemeteries across the globe.

Log on and try it. It really is interesting. Isn't technology wonderful?

For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.

Names in Stone
240 W. Center St.
Orem, UT 84057
801-221-7656
www.namesinstone.com

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