This was posted to another list. Thought it might be of interest. ---------------Original Message--------------- Taken from PRONI : Your Family Tree 22 For anyone starting to trace their family tree, the family burial ground is on of the most useful places to start. Even the briefest epitaph can reveal such details as name, age, date of death, religious denomination and social class, while the more elaborate inscriptions can plot an entire family history. Names are sometimes given in full, occasionally a familiar name is included:`James Patrick (Jimmy) Boyle`, or less helpful, the family name only,`The family burying ground of M.Caldwell, Lisburn`. The most useful, for genealogical purposes, are those gravestones which contain references to other family family members and which gives connection names, for example. Erected in loving memory of James Morton, Corbet, who died 14th June 1897 aged 66 years....And of his two daughters Margaret S. Steen who died 4th May 1899 aged 30 years, and Jane E.Mercer who died 24th Aug, 1904 aged 28 years. Age is usually given either directly, `died aged 78`, `passed way in his 89th year` or by deduction, `1805-1895`. Either way, once the birth year is known it is usually possible to obtain a birth certificate or (if pre-1864) a baptismal reference. the deceased`s religion can sometimes but not always, be deduced from the site of the graveyard or cemetery. Older cemeteries were, in many cases, communal property, or attached to an Anglican (ie., Church of Ireland) church and used by all denominations. During the 19th century (after the Emancipation Act ) there was an increase in the number of churches built by all denominations and interment according to religious persuasion became more common. Paupers were, as a rule, buried in unmarked graves, frequently a communal plot set aside for the purpose. As this was considered a shameful thing, even the poorest of people outside the workhouse would try to have something `put by` for their funeral. Their headstones were usually quite simple. However, it did happen that as the family fortunes improved, a grieving son or daughter would erect a more fitting tribute to his or her parents. Generally, though, the higher up the social scale the more grand and elaborate the gravestone, standing as mark of the status of the entire family, past and present. An exception to this rule of thumb are those religious sects, such as the Moravians, who believe all are equal after death and all headstones are, therefore, of an equal height. Other information which might be included on gravestones is the occupation of the deceased `Captain in the 18th, or Royal Irish, Regiment`, `Eminent Medical Student`, `Merchant of this town`. The home town may be given for example; `Erected by James McMaster of Bangor in memory of his father John McMaster of Ballymaleddy`. The cause of death is occasionally recorded: `John, who died suddenly while bathing on the 29th of June in the 13th year of his age` Notable achievements or membership of an illustrious society can be included `Minister for 52 years`, secretary of the congregational committee`, `a founder member of the society for the Promotion of the True Faith`, Family members who died abroad are not forgotten, `Thomas Mcllroy who died at Pueblo, Colarado, USA`, `Gawin McClue. M.D. Surgeon R.N. who died of yellow fever on board H.M.`s ship "Eclair" off Maderia`, John, late Loco Supt. Nt Wn. Rly Sind. who died at Karachi, India. The more information that can be gleaned from headstones the easier it will be to find other sources which will be of help in tracing the family back through the centuries. Alex Hughes >from Ayrshire, Scotland Searching for Duncan,Bruce,Kilpatrick,Campbell,Fairley,Milne,McKechan, Jamphray,Strathern,Kelso,Smith & Auld in Scotland Searching for Hughes, Graham, McCutcheon, Donaghy, Irvine, Dorian, Kelley & Black in Ireland ----------End of Original Message----------