- -------------------------------------------- And now for today's tip... LOCATING BURIED TOMBSTONES When searching abandoned cemeteries for missing tombstones, be aware that most tombstones are spaced evenly in a row, facing east to west. When the ground thaws, the stones typically fall backwards, leaving the footstones underground and the tombstones soon covered with grass, turf, and weeds. When you go to an abandoned cemetery, take along a metal rod, such as the ones you stick in the front lawn with hooks to hold your summer plants. These rods easily probe the ground for stones. Once you find a footstone, search behind it, in front of it, and to the side until you have all the pieces. You'll find most stones three to four inches under the soil. Lay the pieces out and try to fit them together. If you want to find other stones, move two to three feet to your left, and then to your right. Remember, most tombstones are buried in rows. And always remember to look for the little oblong footstones. - -------------------------------------------- Diana J. Muir, Professional Genealogist Former Host of the World GenWeb Teacher of 8 free online genealogy classes at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~genclass/