Message: 2 Date: Fri, 13 May 2011 17:15:56 +0100 From: "Heather Smith" <heather.smith8@virgin.net> Subject: [GLA] Gravestone but no death certificate? To: <glamorgan@rootsweb.com> I wonder if I could also comment on the problem of gravestone inscriptions. It is based on a family one which has caused me more problems than offered answers. The headstone is in good condition so the writing is clear therefore no ambiguities. The inscription reads: In memory of Evan Daniel who died Jan. 10, 1873 aged 49 years. Also George his son who died Oct. 25, 1885 aged 7 years. Also Gwenllian Daniel who died January 11, 1914 aged 78. ‘*She hath done what she could*’. Also of their son Robert who died Nov. 22, 1916 aged 59 years. Also their daughter Mary who died March 21, 1917 aged 64 years. “*Thy will be done*” The details on Evan are correct. The information on his son George does not make sense for several reasons. If he was 7 years old when he died then he was born 5 years after his father died! An early case of IVF? There is evidence that there was a son called George who lived from 1854 to 1860 and another called George Herbert born in 1861 who has got ‘lost’. Neither of these two sons fit the inscription. As for Gwenllian, in the 1911 Census she gave her age as 84. On her death certificate it is 78 coinciding with the inscription. The ages admitted on all the censuses is never the same. Having been born before 1837 and with the maiden name Morgan it is not easy to be sure but the best guess suggests she was probably 88 when she died. Then there is their son Robert. He was born in 1863 so he was only 53 when he died. Finally Mary’s age is about correct as she was in her 64th year. This particular experience has taught me to be wary of headstones as it means a lot of careful research before you can be sure of the facts. It also begs the question as to whether stonemasons paused to think what they were doing or queried their instructions. I suspect most did. Alas for the odd rogue one! Best wishes Edward