This came off the Dickson County, TN list and thought i would pass it on... Hi Folks, I got the following from C. Carson on another list. Hope this info is as interesting to you as it was to me. Jean Hancock "Your Dickson Neighbors" Representative [email protected] 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. Timothy C. Hoskins Listowner: [email protected] [email protected] <A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/tchoski/myhomepage/heritage.html">Click here: Timothy's Tree</A>