Hello, Back in 2006 a small stone simply engraved "C.H.S 1845" was uncovered from the undergrowth of St Kew parish church by volunteers, which I know to be for a 4 month old. It is apparently next to her parents' horizontal low level tomb type grave stone. I am lead to believe that these small stones were common at the time to mark a child's grave and erected by the wealthier families. Parents died in 1865 & 1875. Last month, un-expectantly, I was able to stop at the church & have a look. The parents' is once again over grown, no sign of the small C.H.S stone, but there is an elaborately engraved stone for the child, with full details, next to her parents plot. 1. Am I correct that these small simple stones were usually for a child? 2. Any suggestions why there would be two stones? I couldn't see the small stone on my visit without getting shredded by brambles (no secateurs in car tool kit to tidy the area) Would the elaborate stone be added at a later date when funds allowed, or even by the child's siblings after the death of the parents? TIA Louise

I think Louise that these may be called footstones, found around the 'main' memorial (often to the west) and used to help denote the extent of the family plot. I have seen ones with such inscriptions as 'Mother' or 'Father' and many with just initials. Often the initials coincide with a full name on the main memorial. I suppose there were no strict rules for memorialisation, and so all variations are found. A poor family may spent a huge proportion of their income on a memorial or even have the skills to make their own. I have come across examples (two I have recorded in Cornwall) where an original memorial has been put aside to be replaced with a newer version updated and added to with later family deaths. A good example is found on Tresco in the Isles of Scilly where the discarded memorial is now part of the boundary wall of a nearby house and the new version in the more conventional position in the churchyard. Mike, Redruth.