Maitland's historic cemetery data to be recorded, preserved

But if they fall apart, or their inscriptions can no longer be read, the details they could have revealed will be lost forever.

That is why Maitland City Council and the Friends of Maitland Jewish Cemetery group are working together to make sure the details of Maitland’s three historic cemeteries are digitally recorded.

The council will launch a digital application and a series of iBooks based on information at the heritage-listed Glebe cemetery, in East Maitland, in the next 12 months.

The material is targeted at school children and their teachers, and will allow them to find people who are buried there, and access the headstone inscription and details about their life.

Tourists, residents and descendants looking for their relatives, can also use the application.

“It will give an impression of the life and times at that cemetery and it becomes a powerful education tool,” council heritage officer Clare James said.

Ms James said the model would eventually be rolled out at the Maitland Jewish Cemetery and Oakhampton cemetery.

Friends of Maitland Jewish Cemetery member Janis Wilton has already done a lot of work transcribing the inscription on the graves.

Ms Wilton wants visitors to be able to access the history at the site, and hopes an audio tour will be encompassed into the digital application.