ARKANSAS-L Archives

Archiver > ARKANSAS > 2001-12 > 1009409813


From: "Linda Bowden" <>
Subject: Re: [ARKANSAS] Gathering Information from Tombstones
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 17:36:53 -0600
References: <OE59bVyRYg14sKuCYZv00002e5e@hotmail.com>


You failed to mention that "chalking" a tombstone that is hard to read or
too dark to read, will help.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Diana Boothe" <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2001 2:48 PM
Subject: [ARKANSAS] Gathering Information from Tombstones


> I found this one quite interesting, also! (Sorry, I couldn't resist
passing
> it on! <g>)
>
> Diana
>
>
>
> Gathering Information from Tombstones
>
> by Elaine Powell
>
> 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.
>
> You can take photos of tombstones to record the information. Be careful
not
> to take the photo with a flash and stand directly in front of the
> tombstone. It might cause a "flashback" and you will have a large white
> spot in the middle of your photo and you won't be able to read the
> information on the stone. The best condition to take the photo is with
> light behind you, using no flash. However, some older stones don't
> photograph well, so you might want to take some tombstone rubbings.
>
>
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