Here is a collection of posts I had saved on the care of and reading of old tombstones from other lists: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taking Care With Headstones If you are planning on visiting cemeteries remember to treat the headstones and markers with care. Many of these grave markers are very fragile, and even the pressure used to take a tombstone rubbing could cause damage to some stones. Do not apply shaving cream or other chemicals to the stones, as this can also cause damage. By using a mirror held at an angle or by photographing the stone at different angles, (or at different times of the day), it is often possible to make out those worn down inscriptions. I have also heard that a black light shone directly on the stone will help too. More information about tombstone care and preventing damage is available from: The Association for Gravestone Studies, 278 Main Street, Suite 207, Greenfield, Massachusetts 01301, Tel: 413-772-0836, E-mail: ags@javanet.com, http://www.berkshire.net/ags/. (Please include your name and mailing address in all correspondence.) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dating Tombstones One way to help find the era your ancestor was buried is to examine the material from which the tombstone is made. If your ancestor has a stone made of slate or common fieldstone (except wood used by pioneers), chances are the stone dates from 1796-1830. * If the stone is flat-topped hard marble, dates are about 1830-1849. * If the "mystery" stone is round or pointed soft marble with cursive inscriptions, look for a date of 1845-1868. * Masonic four-sided stones began in 1850 and are still in use today. * Pylons, columns and all exotic-style monuments are usually dated 1860-1900. * Zinc monuments date from 1870-1900. * Granite, now common, came into use about 1900. If the writing is too faded to read, use a 75 watt black light bulb in any lamp that casts light directly on the written message. The writing will miraculously appear. (Posted on another genealogy mail list and shared with this list by permission of the one who posted the message.) Helen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Got this from another list and thought this would be of interest. Charlie from Kentucky. >Meanings of Carvings Found on Tombstones: >> >> Arches -- Victory in Death >> Arrows -- Mortality >> Bouquets/Flowers -- Condolences, grief, sorrow >> Buds/Rosebud -- Morning of Life or Renewal of Life >> Roses -- Brevity of earthly existence >> Portals -- Passageway to eternal journey >> Bugles -- Resurrection and the Military >> Crossed Swords -- High-ranking military person >> Flying Birds -- Flight of the Soul >> Fruits -- Eternal plenty >> Garlands -- Victory in death >> Imps -- Mortality >> Shells -- Pilgrimage of Life >> Thistles -- Remembrance >> Tombs -- Mortality >> Trees -- Life >> Trumpeters -- Heralds of the Resurrection >> Willows -- Earthly Sorrow >> Morning Glory -- Beginning of Life >> Butterfly -- Short-lived - Early Death >> Full-Blown Rose -- Prime of Life >> Palm Branch -- Signifies Victory and Rejoicing >> Ivy -- Friendship and Immortality >> Laurel ---Fame or Victory >> Oak Leaves and Acorn -- Maturity, Ripe Old Age >> Weeping Willow -- Emblem of Sorrow >> Corn -- Ripe Old Age >> Sheaf of Wheat -- Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Time >> Poppy -- Sleep >> Lamb -- Innocence >> Dove -- Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity >> Cherub -- Angelic >> Cross -- Emblem of Faith >> Anchor/Ships -- Hope or Seafaring profession >> Broken Ring -- Family Circle Severed >> Broken Column -- Loss of Head of Family >> Torch Inverted -- Life Extinct >> Urn with Blaze -- Undying Friendship >> Harp -- Praise to the Maker >> Handshakes -- Farewell >> Hearts -- Soul in Bliss or Love of Christ >> Horns -- The Resurrection >> Hourglass -- Swiftness of Time >> Open Book/ Bible -- Deceased Teacher, Minister, etc. >> Lily or Lily of Valley -- Emblem of Innocence and Purity >> Tree Stump w/Ivy -- Head of Family - Immortality >> Urn with /Wreath or Crepe -- Mourning >> Stars and Stripes Around Eagle -- Eternal Vigilance, Liberty >> Hourglass w/Wings of Time -- Time Flying/Short Life >> Candle being Snuffed -- Time, mortality >> Coffin, Father Time, Picks/Shovels, Darts -- Mortality >> Hand of God Chopping -- Sudden Death >> Winged Effigies--- Flight of the Soul