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'Remembering': Victims, Survivors and Commemoration
Description of the Structure of the Database on Physical Memorials
compiled by Martin Melaugh

This page describes the structure of the database of physical memorials. The information below contains details of the variables/fields that are to be found in the database.
The first table describes the fields containing the information on the actual memorial or monument.
The second table describes the fields containing the information on the individual photographs taken.

Information on Memorial
Memorial ID No.:
Unique ID number given to each memorial by the compiler.
Memorial Title:
In some cases this is the 'official' name of the memorial or monument. In some cases unofficial, common or local names are used. In most cases a descriptive name has been assigned by the database compiler (changes will be made if additional information is received). In the case of person(s) commemorated at more than one site, the street name has been added in brackets as part of the memorial title (this has been done to differentiate between memorials and to assist users when searching for memorials).
Commemorating:
Brief information on the person(s) commemorated.
Information about person(s) commemorated
This link presents the user with information about each person commemorated if they appear in Sutton's 'Index of Deaths from the Conflict'. A thumbnail photograph of the person - if available - is also included alongside Sutton's information. There are many memorials which include one or more persons who are not listed by Sutton and a few memorials where none of the people are listed by Sutton.
Date of Incident:
Where one person or incident is commemorated the date of incident usually equivalent to the date of the death. Where more than one incident is commemorated then the earliest date is recorded in this field (all the other relevant dates should be listed when users click on the above link).
Description:
A brief description of the memorial explaining the main features.
Inscription(s):
This field contains information on the number and / or type of inscription(s) contained in the memorial. However, the detailed inscriptions (that is the text of the inscriptions) is included in the photographs database described below. (The process of transcribing the inscriptions is being done to allow search engines to find the information. The transcribing will take additional time to complete.)
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Location Address:
A postal address, including postcode where possible. This address does not include the house number of the building where, for example, a plaque may be attached, unless the house number appears as part of the inscription on the plaque itself.
Location Guide:
A brief description of where precisely the memorial is located or how to locate it.
Map Grid Ref:
A full 100 metre reference based on the Irish Grid Reference System .
X,Y Co-ordinates:
Full six digit X and Y co-ordinates.
Previous Location:
For various reasons some memorials are moved from their original location, any information known to the compiler about such moves is detailed in this field.
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Nature:
This field contains a summary of the 'status' of the person(s) commemorated. Many memorials commemorate more than one classification and each status is listed beginning with the most prevalent. The classification system used in the database is as follows:
British Security - British Army, RIR, UDR; British Police, RUC, RUCR; Prision Officer; RAF.
Civilian - Civilian Political Activist, Civilian Politician;
Paramilitary, Loyalist - LVF, RHC, UDA, UFF, UVF.
Paramilitary, Republican - INLA, IRA, IRAF, OIRA.
Other - Irish Security; Loyal Order, Orange Order.
Physical Type:
This field categorises the type of memorial / monument. The memorials have been placed in the following categories:
Memorial Enclosure
Memorial Garden
Memorial Stone
Mural
Other - eg Cross; Installation; Obelisk; Republican Plot; Sculpture; Window.
Plaque - and Tablet
Physical Materials:
Information on the materials used in the construction of the memorial, for example:
Glass; Metal Bronze; Paint; Plants; Stone Granite; Stone Marble; Hard Landscaping; etc.
Setting:
The nature of the terrain where the memorial is located. This has been categorised as follows:
Army Barracks
Building Exterior - eg Cathedral; Church; Orange Hall
Building Grounds - and Church Grounds
Building Interior
Cemetery - and Graveyard
Garden
Other - eg Parkland;
Police Station
Road
Street
Access:
Whether the memorial is on public or private property, and whether access is restricted or unrestricted.
Post Unveiling:
Any information known to the compiler about any incidents involving the memorial, in particular any damage to, or attacks on, the memorial. Also any information on known commemorations which involve the memorial. Many memorials are also the sites for annual commemorations.
Commissioned By:
The commissioning organisation or individual if known.
Artist(s):
The name of the sculptor or artists if known.
Date Unveiled:
A year or precise date if known.
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First Viewed:
The date when the memorial was first visited, recorded and photographed by the compilor.
Last Viewed:
The date of any second visit, or the date of the most recent visit if more than two visits to the site. Repeat visits allow the opportunity to check the condition of the memorial. However, the information only relates to the memorial as it was 'last viewed'. The information contained in the database does not guarantee that a memorial will be found at the particular location at any time after this date.
Photographs:
The number of photographs that have been included in the database. This is usually less than the number of photographs that were taken at any visit(s).
Comments:
Any additional information about the memorial is included in this field, including any comments by the compiler.
Compiler:
The name(s) of the compilers of the information. Most of the information has been entered into the database by Dr Martin Melaugh, but where other researchers have donated information they have been acknowledged.

 

Information on Photograph
Memorial ID No.:
As in above table.
Memorial Title:
As in above table.
Photo Series No.:
M4P1/7 (Memorial 4 Photograph 1 of 7)
Photo Description:
Usually a minimum of two photographs are provided for each memorial; a contextual (wide) view of the memorial and its immediate surroundings, and a straight (square on) view of the whole of the memorial. Where a memorial involves a number of elements, say several plaques, each one is photographed separately, usually working from left to right across the memorial site. The Photograph Description field contains a brief description of the content of the photograph.
Inscription(s):
Some of the photographs will be close-ups of the inscription(s) on the memorial, in which case this field will contain the text of the inscription. The text will follow the upper and lower case format of the original and a 'bar' symbol ('|') is used to indicate line breaks. (It is not possible to describe any further details such as font, size of type, etc.)
Commemorating:
As in above table.
Location Address:
As in above table.
Location Guide:
As in above table.
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Photographer:
The name of the person who took the photograph displayed.
Date Taken:
The date on which the photograph was taken.
Technical Details:
Details of the camera and lens used.
Filename:
The filename of the digital version of the photograph.
Image Format:
The format of the photograph, that is whether 'Landscape' or 'Portrait'.
File Formats :
The range of file formats that are available (Raw, TIFF, JPEG).
Copyright:
A note about who owns the copyright of the image.
Note:
Any additional notes about the photograph.

 

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