Mapping Memphis: A Geospatial Analysis of the Records of the T. H. Hayes and Sons Funeral Home in Memphis, Tennessee

Abstract

“Mapping Memphis” is a spatial humanities project that analyses how historic geographic data can offer new insights into urban heritage and community. It does so using a primary source largely underrepresented in digital humanities research: funeral home ledgers. From 1904 to 1929, T. H. Hayes and Sons Funeral Home, the oldest African American owned business in Memphis, Tennessee recorded demographic and funereal information for over 4,000 African American individuals. This project focuses on the physical locations recorded in each entry that inadvertently offer a glimpse into the decedents’ homes, offices, and community spaces in early twentieth century Memphis. “Mapping Memphis” plots these individual locations onto a digital map, creating a visual representation of Memphis’ social and physical layout a century ago. This paper explores how demographics gathered after an individual’s death can help commemorate their life. It discusses the depths of information that can be pulled from this unique resource, and what applications and challenges of tracking historic data in modern systems exist. Finally, the paper argues that vital records contain unique, largely unexplored demographic data that can help fill gaps in archival silence and urban change.