Find A Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA^[1] and incorporated in 2000.^[2][3]

History[link]

According to the founder, Salt Lake City resident Jim Tipton,^[4] the website was developed in 1995 to address the lack of any existing site that catered to his hobby of visiting the graves of celebrities. After some time, an online forum was created on the site.^[5] As of May 11, 2012 the site states that it hosts over 80 million records.^[6]

Content and features[link]

The website contains listings of cemeteries and graves from all around the world. American cemeteries are organized by state and county, and many cemetery records contain Google Maps (with GPS coordinates supplied by contributors) and photographs of the cemeteries. Individual grave records contain some or all of the following data fields: dates and places of birth and death, biographical information, cemetery and plot information, photographs (grave marker, the individual, etc.), and contributor information.^[7]

Interment listings are provided by individuals^[8] or genealogical societies.^[9] Major institutional contributors to Find A Grave include the US Veterans Department,^[10] the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and American Battle Monuments Commission,^[11] and the International Wargraves Photography Project.^[12]

Contributors must register as members to submit listings, which are called memorials on the website. Upon submitting a listing, that member becomes the manager of the listing, but may transfer management. Only the current manager of a listing may edit the listing, although members and non-members may send correction requests regarding listings. Members and non-members can submit notations, which consist of images or pictures or flowers, flags, religious symbols, etc., which are posted on the individual listings. Managers of listings may post links to other listings of spouses and parents for genealogical purposes. Members may also request photos of graves which then other members can fulfill.^[13]

Find A Grave also maintains links to memorials of famous persons such as Medal of Honor recipients,^[14] religious figures,^[15] and educators.^[16] Find A Grave exercises editorial control over these listings.^[17]

See also[link]

• Canadian Headstones
• Interment.net on-line database of transcriptions from grave markers
• Poets' Graves
• Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness volunteers photograph graves on request
• Tombstone tourist

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Colker, David (August 26, 1997). "Web site answers grave concerns about stars". Los Angeles Times. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MWSB&p_theme=mwsb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB82ADCB84FB85C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved September 28, 2011. (Subscription required)
• Johnstone, Nick (July 14, 2004). "Why I love ... findagrave.com". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2004/jul/14/features11.g2. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
• Cobbs, Chris (July 12, 2001). "Web site attracts millions of grave-seekers". The Orlando Sentinel (Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service). http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8326287_ITM. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
• Gammage, Jeff (August 1, 2005). "Find VIPs (and others) who R.I.P. through online cemetery". The Philadelphia Inquirer (Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service). http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-9535304_ITM. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
• Dehler, Tamie (October 13, 2007). "Genealogy: ‘Find a Grave’ tremendous on many different levels". Tribune Star (Terre Haute, Indiana: TribStar.com). http://tribstar.com/history/x1155714617/Genealogy-Find-a-Grave-tremendous-on-many-different-levels. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
• King, Peter (October 2, 2009). "Tip: Find a Grave has info you're dying to know". Newday (Melville, New York: newsday.com). http://www.newsday.com/business/retirement/tip-find-a-grave-has-info-you-re-dying-to-know-1.1471344. Retrieved September 28, 2011. (Registration required)
• Silverman, Lauren (March 14, 2010). "Tracking Down Relatives, Visiting Graves Virtually". NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124671879. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 

External links[link]

• Official website

Lisa Hunter is a fictional character from the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Gemma Atkinson. The character is noted for her storylines including bullying and self-harming. After her exit from Hollyoaks, Atkinson reprised the role twice in two spin-off series.

Development[link]

Casting[link]

Actress Gemma Atkinson was cast in the role of Lisa, a member of the new Hunter family, in 2001. During 2004, Atkinson was reported to have been axed from the soap along with her on-screen family.^[1] Despite this, the character stayed onscreen until 2005, before making further appearances in spin-offs Hollyoaks: Let Loose and Hollyoaks: In the City.

Reports of the character's return arose in 2007, with Atkinson supposedly signing a £100,000 a year deal with the show.^[2] This was eventually denied by a spokeswoman for the show, who told Digital Spy:"There are no current plans for Gemma Atkinson to return to Hollyoaks in the foreseeable future."^[2] Hollyoaks series producer at that time, Bryan Kirkwood, also commented on the speculation of her return: "Gemma's a real star and I have chatted with her and her agent about the possibility of a future return. None of us feels that it's right at the moment but there's a chance it could happen in the future. There's nothing signed and nothing planned for the foreseeable future."^[3]

In 2010, Atkinson announced she desired to return to the soap for a guest stint, she said: "I've not been asked to, but I'd love to go back for a few episodes. In the show, one brother has died, my sister is in France and the older brother is now in Emmerdale, so I don't know how they would introduce Lisa back."^[4] However, several weeks after Atkinson's statement, it was announced that Alex Carter, who played Lisa's brother Lee, would return to the show later in 2010.^[5] In an interview following his return, Carter was asked whether he would like Atkinson to return, to which he said: "Yeah! I don't know if she will and I haven't spoken to her for a long time — I went to her birthday a couple of years ago and I've not spoken to her since. But yeah, why not? Get them all back! It'd be good to see Lisa, wouldn't it?"^[6] The serial offered her a 12 month contract for her return, but she turned it down because she didn't want to become "stuck in a rut".^[7]

Spin-offs[link]

After her departure from the Hollyoaks show, Atkinson and Marcus Patrick (Ben Davies) signed to appear in spin-off Hollyoaks: Let Loose, which saw the characters moving on with their lives following their departures from Hollyoaks village.^[8] The series received poor viewing figures and another series was not produced.

In 2006, details of a follow-up spin-off, Hollyoaks: In the City, were announced.^[9] Several other characters were cast from actors including Philip Olivier, Leon Lopez, Oliver Lee and Kym Marsh.^[10] The series, which followed Ben and Lisa to Liverpool, was aired on Channel 4 sister channel E4 during August to December 2006. Despite fair ratings, the series was axed by E4 in December 2006.^[11] However, the character of Lisa was left open for a possible return.

Storylines[link]

Lisa becomes popular at school, much to the dislike of jealous Steph Dean, who then begins to bully her. Sick of the bullying and after some family problems, Lisa turns to self-harming. Lisa keeps her secret from everyone until Brian Drake finds the cuts on her arms and legs and assumes she is being abused and calls a social worker. Lisa then admits to self harming. She beings to see a counsellor and her life slowly returns to normal. Lisa begins a relationship with Brian, however she becomes rather reliant on his help when family troubles get her down. The pair split up just before their exams start. Cameron Clark arrives and immediately takes a shine to Lisa. Eventually the pair start a relationship. Lisa starts to get threatening text messages from a mysterious stalker. Her friends assume it is Steph due to the bullying and her jealousy over Lisa's relationship with Cameron. Lisa's stalker is revealed to be her jealous ex-boyfriend Brian, who blames her for his exam failure. Cameron and Lisa lose their virginity to each other, but break up. Lisa briefly dates Kristian Hargreaves, however it does not last.

Meanwhile, Steph resumes her relentless bullying of Lisa after discovering that her brother-in-law, serial killer Toby Mills, was responsible for an attack that nearly cost Steph her life and left her with epilepsy, which pushes Lisa closer to the edge once again. However, after Steph unleashes a cruel and vicious physical attack on a tearful Lisa outside the 'Drive 'n' Buy, Steph's father Johnno Dean comes to the rescue. After pulling Steph off her victim, Johnno publicly reprimands Steph for her behaviour and orders her to leave Lisa alone. The two reconcile later on, and Steph apologises to Lisa for her constant bullying. After the death of her brother Dan, Lisa becomes more confident and is determined to enjoy life to the fullest. She begins to go off the rails and has an affair with Dan's friend, Jake Dean, which ends up with him contracting an STD. Lisa decides she wants to be with Jake, however he tells her he loves his girlfriend Becca Dean. Jake confesses his affair to Becca, who then ends her friendship with Lisa. Lisa then turns her affections to Ben Davies, which angers his girlfriend Louise Summers. Ben leaves Louise for Lisa and the pair decide to leave the village together.

After their departure from Hollyoaks, Ben and Lisa start a new life. Cracks begin to show in the relationship as Ben cheats and Lisa ends up self-harming again. Lisa plans to move to Cyprus, leaving Ben, however he stops her and convinces her to give their relationship another chance. In Hollyoaks: In the City, Ben and Lisa return from a holiday to Liverpool, where Lisa begins working as a receptionist and a model. Ben buys a bar and the pair move in with his friend Tank-Top. Yet again Lisa and Ben's relationship struggles as they both cheat. Lisa is kidnapped and, whilst trying to escape, shoots Ben, supposedly killing him.

Reception[link]

In 2002, Gemma Atkinson was nominated for 'Best Actress', 'Sexiest Female' and 'Best Newcomer' at the British Soap Awards for her portrayal of Lisa.^[12] Atkinson was again nominated for 'Best Actress' in the 2003 awards^[13] and also for the award of 'Best Dramatic Performance From a Young Actor or Actress' in the 2004 British Soap Awards.^[14]

Virgin Media profiled some of Hollyoaks' "hottest females" in their opinion, of Lisa they stated: "Lisa Hunter transformed from a bullied teenager into the ultimate sexpot overnight. With two steamy affairs under her belt, Lisa eventually left the village with Ben Davies - we bet Ronaldo was mega jeals!"^[15] They have also described Lisa as having an "intense personality" and credit "her parents' tumultuous relationship, a missing sister, her affair with an engaged man and her self-harming" have caused Lisa to have an extremely troubled life.^[16]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Character profile at Hollyoaks.com

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2011)

Hansi Kürsch
Background information
Birth name	Hans Jürgen Kürsch
Born	(1966-08-10) 10 August 1966 (age 45) Lank-Latum, Germany
Genres	Heavy metal, power metal, speed metal, progressive metal
Instruments	Vocals, bass
Years active	1984–present
Labels	No Remorse, Virgin, Century Media, Nuclear Blast, SPV GmbH
Associated acts	Blind Guardian, Demons and Wizards, Edguy, Ayreon, Kai Hansen

Hans Jürgen Kürsch, better known as Hansi Kürsch (born 10 August 1966 in Lank-Latum, Germany) is a German musician, the lead vocalist and lyricist of power metal band Blind Guardian. Together with André Olbrich, he is also the principal songwriter for the band. He was also the bassist in Blind Guardian until the 1998 album Nightfall in Middle-Earth. He also provides lead vocals for the band Demons and Wizards.

History[link]

A signature of Kürsch's songwriting is his practice of overdubbing his own voice multiple times in complex, overlapping harmonies on his recordings, creating the atmosphere of a huge choir. The track "Chant" on the first Demons and Wizards album is vocal only, in the style of a traditional Gregorian Chant; Kürsch's is the only voice on the song.

Kürsch's lyrics revolve around various themes prevalent in the power metal genre, including medieval fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien, religious/mythological tales, and legends/stories, both his own and from the literary world. Many of his lyrics also exude a dark, cynical, and negative feel, spoken from a first-person perspective. His lyrics in the first Demons and Wizards album tackle even darker themes, telling tales of death, deception, and evil, whereas "Touched by the Crimson King" was based primarily off different fantasy novels.^[1]

Kürsch has also recorded two albums for his side project with Jon Schaffer of Iced Earth, Demons and Wizards.

• Demons and Wizards - Demons and Wizards (2000)
• Demons and Wizards - Touched by the Crimson King (2005)

Guest appearances[link]

Hansi has done guest vocals on the following albums, in the following songs (listed chronologically):

• Gamma Ray - Land of the Free (1995) - Farewell
• Grave Digger - Tunes of War (1996, backing vocals only)
• Nepal - Manifiesto (1997) - Besando La Tierra, Estadio Chico
• Iron Savior - Iron Savior (1997) - For The World
• Edguy - Vain Glory Opera (1998) - Out of Control, Vain Glory Opera
• Grave Digger - Excalibur (1999, backing vocals only)
• Therion - Deggial (2000) - Flesh of the Gods
• Rage - Unity (2002, backing vocals only)
• Angra - Temple of Shadows (2004) - Winds of Destination
• Ljósálfar - Ljósálfar - Forevermoor
• Nuclear Blast All-Stars - Into The Light (2007) - Slaves To The Desert
• Ayreon - 01011001 (2008) - credited as Celtic Cross symbol: Age Of Shadows, Beneath The Waves, Newborn Race, The Fifth Extinction, Unnatural Selection, River of Time, The Sixth Extinction
• Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki's Neverland - Reversing Time (2008) - To Lose The Sun
• Van Canto - Hero (2008) - Take to the Sky
• Aneurysm - Shades (2008) - Reflection
• The Arrow - Lady Nite (2009) - Never Say Never
• Rage - Strings to a Web Bonus DVD (Live at Wacken Open Air 2009) (2010) - Set This World on Fire, All I Want, Invisible Horizons
• Solar Fragment - In Our Hands (2011) - Inside the Circle
• Grave Digger - Ballad of Mary (2011) - Rebellion 2010
• Grave Digger - Rebellion - The Clans Are Still Marching 2011 Live

References[link]

External links[link]

• Interview with Hansi at Nocturnal Horde (July 16, 2005)
• Blind Guardian official homepage
• Demons and Wizards official homepage

Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian in Malmö, Sweden, September 21, 2006. L-R: Olbrich, Ehmke, Kürsch, Siepen, Schüren, Holzwarth
Background information
Origin	Krefeld, Germany
Genres	Power metal, progressive metal, speed metal, thrash metal
Years active	1984–present
Labels	No Remorse, Virgin, Century Media, Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Demons and Wizards, Gamma Ray, Helloween, Iced Earth, Iron Savior, Savage Circus, Schattentantz, Power Quest
Website	www.blind-guardian.com
Members
Hansi Kürsch André Olbrich Marcus Siepen Frederik Ehmke
Past members
Thomas "Thomen" Stauch Markus Dörk Christof Theißen Hans-Peter Frey Mathias Wiesner

Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany.^[1] They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres.^[2][3] Blind Guardian is a part of the German heavy metal scene that emerged in the mid-1980s.

The band's lyrics, written by vocalist Hansi Kürsch, are inspired by the fiction of fantasy authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, Robert Jordan and George R. R. Martin as well as traditional legends and epics.^[4] Over the years, a running theme has developed personifying the band members as travelling bards, leading some fans to refer to the band affectionately as "The Bards".

Biography[link]

Formation as Lucifer's Heritage (1984–1987)[link]

Blind Guardian was formed in 1984 in Krefeld, Germany, by Hansi Kürsch (vocals, bass) and Andre Olbrich (guitar) under the name Lucifer's Heritage. The band first released two demos in 1985 and 1986, despite undergoing chaotic lineup changes: Markus Dörk (guitar) and Thomen Stauch (drums) were replaced by Christof Theißen and Hans-Peter Frey, respectively. Finally, in 1987, Marcus Siepen joined and Thomen came back to form the lineup which would stay consistent for the next 18 years.

Name change and rise to success (1988–1996)[link]

After Lucifer's Heritage signed a contract with No Remorse Records, the band changed their name to Blind Guardian to avoid any speculations about Satanism (in a bio it was stated that they also wanted to distance themselves from the black metal movement, as their demos were placed in with black metal albums at local record shops). They released their debut album Battalions of Fear in 1988, which was essentially a speed metal album heavily influenced by Helloween.^[5] These two German bands had close ties, and Helloween founder Kai Hansen made a guest appearance on Blind Guardian's second LP, Follow the Blind (1989), where the band revealed some thrash metal influence.^[6][7] Their third LP, Tales from the Twilight World (1990), had a much more melodic and "epic" feeling, with usage of choir and classical music influence.

Blind Guardian signed with Virgin Records in 1991, and released their fourth studio album Somewhere Far Beyond in 1992 and the live album Tokyo Tales in 1993. Flemming Rasmussen, former Metallica producer, began working with the band in 1994, producing their fifth studio album Imaginations from the Other Side, released in 1995, and The Forgotten Tales, an album that contained half covers and half original work, released in 1996.

Later years and departure of Thomen Stauch (1997–2009)[link]

In 1998, Blind Guardian released their epic album Nightfall in Middle-Earth. "Complete with anthemic choruses, spoken word story lines, and plenty of bombastic power metal punctuating every dramatic turn", says Allmusic's Vincent Jeffries, "Nightfall in Middle-Earth is perhaps Blind Guardian's most triumphant".^[8] A concept album based on J. R. R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion,^[4] Blind Guardian's music demonstrated some folk rock influence, but also featured heavy use of Queen-style layered backing vocals. Since Nightfall, bass guitar has been played by sessional member Oliver Holzwarth, and Hansi has been able to devote all his attention to singing. Nightfall was also the last Blind Guardian album produced by Rasmussen.

Lead vocalist Hansi Kürsch

A Night at the Opera, named after the Queen album, was released four years later. On this album, the band's sound lacked almost all influence of their original speed metal. Power and progressive metal abound, with over the top orchestral backing and a consistent vocal and guitar layering throughout.^[9] Though not a true concept album, many of the lyrics dealt with the common themes of religion and relations between human and divine powers. It was followed by a live album in 2003 and a DVD, Imaginations Through the Looking Glass, in 2004, which was the last recorded Blind Guardian material to feature Thomen Stauch on drums. He left the band due to musical differences and was replaced by Frederik Ehmke. The first album with Ehmke was A Twist in the Myth, which came out in 2006.

Blind Guardian participated in the soundtrack for the In the Name of the King: a Dungeon Siege Tale fantasy movie (Uwe Boll), which came out in 2008.^[10] The band also recorded a theme song for Sacred 2 Fallen Angel role-playing video game, the prequel to Sacred.^[11]

Recent events (2010–present)[link]

André Olbrich performing in 2009

"A Voice in the Dark" was the next single from Blind Guardian that was released 25 June 2010. On July 30, 2010 the album followed, called At the Edge of Time. The band started "The Sacred Worlds and Songs Divine Tour 2010", the European dates will have the opening acts Enforcer and Steelwing. The 22 October in Gothenburg, Sweden only Steelwing was the opening act. The US dates will have Holy Grail and Seven Kingdoms and later they were announced that they would play at Wacken Open Air in 2011.

On July 21, 2011, Hansi Kürsch announced on Blind Guardian's official website that they are working on an orchestral album.^[12][13] On September 1, 2011, Oliver Holzwarth joined Rhapsody of Fire as a full-time member, after 13 years as Blind Guardian's session bass player.^[14] On January 27th, 2012, the band released a compilation album, titled Memories of a Time to Come, containing re-recorded and remixed songs from the band's entire discography.^[15]

Musical style[link]

Blind Guardian with the band's definitive scenery in background

Blind Guardian's first two albums, Battalions of Fear and Follow the Blind, were more in the style of speed metal than their following works. Beginning with their third album Tales from the Twilight World, Blind Guardian gradually began to write more complicated compositions focusing less on speed. As of their sixth album, Nightfall in Middle Earth, Hansi stopped playing bass to focus on singing. At this point the band began to incorporate large amounts of orchestral arrangements, and utilized the technique of overdubbing, heavily influenced by the English rock band Queen.^[16]

Blind Guardian's music features the staccato guitars and double bass drumming characteristic of power metal, as well as the use of overdubs and numerous backing vocals to create a dense sound. This technique, especially notable in the guitar and vocal tracks, creates the impression of a vast army of musicians playing in unison and singing in harmony. This proved significant on all albums after the first two but most particularly on A Night at the Opera.

Another definitive feature of Blind Guardian music is frequent use of folk tunes and instruments, especially in power ballads such as "Lord of the Rings", "The Bard's Song", "A Past and Future Secret", "Skalds and Shadows" and "Curse My Name", among others.

Side projects[link]

Along with Jon Schaffer, the leader and founder of Iced Earth, Kürsch is a member of Demons and Wizards, where he is the lead singer.

Blind Guardian have been working on and off for eight years on an orchestral project writing music about The Lord of the Rings (negotiations failed to be included on the famous The Lord of the Rings film trilogy as the soundtrack, because the band wanted to concentrate on their next album). Although it will not be a power metal album, it will be published under the name of Blind Guardian because it matches the theme of the band's lyrics, according to Hansi.^[17]

Due to the tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011, Blind Guardian began working with their former record company, EMI Music, and auctioned off an exclusive studio session for two in the Twilight Hall Studio in Grefrath, Germany for charity in which 100% of proceeds would be donated to the tsunami relief efforts.^[18] The auction ended on April 22, 2011 with a final bid of £1,171.00.^[19]

Line-up[link]

Current members[link]

• Hansi Kürsch – lead vocals (1984–present), bass (1984–1996)
• André Olbrich – lead guitar, backing vocals (1984–present)
• Marcus Siepen – Rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1987–present)
• Frederik Ehmke – drums, percussion, flute and bagpipes (2005–present)

With:

• Thomas Hackmann (sessional member) – backing vocals (1990–present)
• Oliver Holzwarth (sessional and live member) – bass, backing vocals (1997–present)
• Michael Schüren (sessional member) – keyboards, grand piano (1997-present)
• Olaf Senkbeil (sessional member) - backing vocals (1998–present)
• Pat Bender (sessional member) – keyboards, sound effects (2002–present)

Former members[link]

• Thomas "Thomen" Stauch – drums (1984–1985, 1987–2005)
• Markus Dörk – Guitars (1984–1985)
• Christof Theißen – Rhythm guitar (1986)
• Hans-Peter Frey – drums (1986)
• Mathias Wiesner – keyboards, effects (studio) (1989–2002)

Discography[link]

• Battalions of Fear (1988)
• Follow the Blind (1989)
• Tales from the Twilight World (1990)
• Somewhere Far Beyond (1992)
• Imaginations from the Other Side (1995)
• Nightfall in Middle-Earth (1998)
• A Night at the Opera (2002)
• A Twist in the Myth (2006)
• At the Edge of Time (2010)

References[link]

Blind Guardian-Battlefield is the theme song for Robot Unicorn Attack heavy metal version

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Blind Guardian

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Blind Guardian

• Official website
• Blind Guardian on Myspace
• Blind Guardian discography at MusicBrainz
• Hansi Kurskch Interview With Metal Rules