A gravestone needed to be purchased so it is the same here; if the family could afford one they marked the grave, but often it probably was wooden. The earliest stones are often limestone or sandstone or some other local stone which has not lasted. Marble stones would be extremely rare until maybe 1870s and in urban areas. There are many very old graveyards with no markers on graves, and no burial records. Also, graves were located outside graveyards due to remoteness from established hallowed ground, so people were buried under an oak tree or whatever on their own property. There were many parts of Canada that were settled long before a local church presence. Ron -----Original Message----- From: Christine Stokes [mailto:rhemusaig@tiscali.co.uk] Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2003 12:40 AM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: RE: [SUT] Off-topic: CAN & USA dates Not off-topic - such Canadian and American very important to a large number of Sutherlanders. Will be awaiting the reply with interest. Similarly I have had a number of enquiries asking the age old question - why can I not find a certain grave in Zorra, Nova Scotia etc. Would I be correct in assuming that the situation there regarding stones was the same as in Sutherland - if a family could not afford one there was not one? Christine Northamptonshire, England www.highlandhearts.com www.sutherlandheritage.com email rhemusaig@tiscali.co.uk -----Original Message----- From: Sara Thomas [mailto:Sethomas@btinternet.com] Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2003 4:27 AM To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [SUT] Off-topic: CAN & USA dates Can some kind lister tell me the dates of the first *significant* census in the USA and in Canada, i.e equivalent to Scottish 1841? Also the earliest compulsory BMD registration dates in each country, equivalent to Scottish 1855? Many thanks. Sara Cardiff, Wales ==== SCT-SUTHERLAND Mailing List ==== To check out previous messages http://archiver.rootsweb.com/SCT-SUTHERLAND-L/ ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.478 / Virus Database: 275 - Release Date: 5/6/2003 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.478 / Virus Database: 275 - Release Date: 5/6/2003 ______________________________ --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.478 / Virus Database: 275 - Release Date: 5/6/03 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.478 / Virus Database: 275 - Release Date: 5/6/03