Picked this one up in a kirkyard at Appleby in Cumbria. Showed it to some friends visiting from Europe and they were amazed. The stone stands not far from the door of the kirk itself. Even took some photos of it, it is genuine. * * * * * * * * * In Memory of John Hall of Hoff Row, who departed this life, June 19, 1716, aged 109 years. Also of John Hall his son, who died September 1744. aged 86 years. Also of John Hall of Hoff Row, the grandson, who died March 27 1821, aged 101 years. So! John the 1st was born 1607 and was 56 when John 2nd was born. John 2nd was born 1663 and was 57 when John 3rd was born. John 3rd was born 1720. Their lives spanned 214 years and totalled 296. They lived through the reigns of; James I Charles I Cromwell's Commonwealth Charles II James II William & Mary Anne George I George II George III George IV. They fell just 20 years short of spanning the time from Elizabeth I to Victoria. Appleby region was still being raided by Armstrong Reivers when the first John was born albeit it in the twilight years of that system. It begs the question; what sort of experiences did YOUR ancestors have? The debacle at Isandhlwana was still fresh in the minds of the men who built my house where I sit writing this. It was only some five years earlier than the building. In fact my maternal grandfather was alive at that time, he was born 1876. At the age of 3 he may not have taken in the news of the slaughter of an entire regiment by the Zulu but he was alive then. He went to Africa himself later. Young John was the last of the redcoats, he enlisted 1895 and was at the Battle of Omdurman, 1898, the last time red coats were worn in action. See what I mean, we all have ancestors who lived in exciting times so come on you lot, let's have your tales. Names and dates are not enough. Genealogy is about how, as well as when they lived. Joe.