One way to figure out 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 pioneer), chances are the stone dates from 1796-1830.
If the stone is flat topped hard marble, dates are about 1830-1849.
If your 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.
FADED WRITING
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
appear miraculously.
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