---------- > From: PPrice3993@aol.com > To: SCMARION-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [SCMARION-L] dating Tombstones > Date: Saturday, January 15, 2000 4:00 PM > > I got the following from another list. Hope this info is helpful. > > 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. > ---------------------------- > Interesting link regarding gravestones! > > http://www.gravestonestudies.org > > Gravestone Rubbings Dos and Don'ts from the Association for Gravestone > Studies > > http://www.gravestonestudies.org/faq.htm#Some >> > Peggy Price