COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — History lovers in Ohio have a new opportunity to get involved in a massive project to create a database and digital map documenting every gravesite of all the Revolutionary War veterans buried in the Buckeye State.
America 250-Ohio, an Ohio Commission formed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, announced that the Revolutionary War Veteran Graves Identification Project is looking for volunteers. In a newsletter, project leaders requested the public’s help identifying and recording the approximately 7,000 graves of Revolutionary War veterans laid to rest around the state.
The mission was created through a partnership with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office, Terracon Consultants, Inc., Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution. This significant undertaking will create a comprehensive, public, searchable database and digital map of all the Revolutionary War military personnel buried in Ohio.
“By emphasizing data collection and long-term preservation, Ohio’s State Historic Preservation Office can serve as the central resource for identifying the burial locations of Revolutionary War veterans,” said Krista Horrocks, the effort’s project manager.
The project’s website explains that the grave of Revolutionary War veteran Nathaniel Massie, who established the city of Chillicothe in 1796, is the first to be documented for this project.
The documentation process for volunteers involves going into the field with a free smartphone app called Survey123. When a patriot’s grave is located, the public researcher will take photos, record the grave marker inscription and create a GPS point for the database.
The organization notes that 1,700 cemeteries in Ohio include heroes of the Revolutionary War. Graveyard investigators will be able to confirm historical records and gather firsthand evidence.
Additionally, this field survey will guide preservation efforts. Photographs will help local communities and organizations evaluate gravestone conditions and take measures to protect these historical sites.
Ohio’s State Historic Preservation Office and the Ohio History Connection plan to maintain the digital records for future generations, with updates from the public beyond the official 2026 celebration year.
Anyone interested in participating should visit the Grave Marker & Cemetery Collection portal. Public researchers who do not wish to remain anonymous will be acknowledged for their contributions.