Re: Why Tombstone Dates Are Not Always Accurate Some researchers make the mistake of always treating tombstone dates as the "Bible." For example, Daniel Hubbard Willis, Jr. and Julia Ann Graham Willis' eldest daughter was Carvelia S. Willis. She was born February 10, 1869, and died March 31, 1941. She never married. She is buried at the Graham Cemetery, Rapides Parish, Forest Hill, La. Her date of birth on her grave marker is incorrect by 10 years. The question is why? Most of the tombstones from the 1840s to the 1920s were made out of basalt (which is too hard to work without machinery), wood, iron or sandstone. Most of the recent tombstones (after about 1960), are made of harder stones, mostly granite. The simpler ones were made of cement and of course, the more affluent families could afford marble. Most of those made out of iron rusted away and the wood ones rotted away. When this occurred, often, a caring family member or friend would set out to replace the tombstone. Many times, this is when the error in the inscribed date of birth would occur and less often, the date of death. Dates of death are obviously more vivid in our memories. I remember, that my own mother would not give her children her year of birth. She remained a "Jack Benny 39" for over 40 years. Those of us who have been digging up family facts and dates for over "x" number of years can remember how difficult it was before the Internet, wonderful genealogy web sites and of course e-mail. I use to pay "certified" genealogist a lot (for me) of money to find what is free at the click of a "mouse" today. Happy hunting and Thanksgiving! Randy Willis [email protected]