Tip of the Week - Gravestone Impressions

Genealogical Tip of the Week

DATING GRAVESTONES

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.

GRAVESTONE IMPRESSIONS

There are various ways of taking an impression of a gravestone. First you will need to clean the gravestone.... CAREFULLY! Take a jug of water, a spray bottle, and a soft plastic (Not wire!) brush. After wetting the stone with water, carefully wipe any dirt or lichen off of it with the brush.

Photographing the stone

Chalk Method - take white sidewalk chalk and lightly rub the stone. This will leave the lettering unchalked and easier to photograph.

Mirror Method - Use a mirror to reflect light onto the stone, in order to bring out shadows that will contrast with the lettering.

Shaving Cream Method - Place some shaving cream on the stone. Run a squeegee across the stone so that the shaving cream remains imbedded in the lettering. Photograph. Using your water bottle and spray bottle, clean the stone thoroughly and wipe gently with a soft clean rag.

Black Light Method - 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.

Gravestone Rubbings - Take a medium-weight piece of fabric interfacing. Wrap around the stone and tape firmly in place. Using a wide child's crayon, rub across the fabric until the lettering shows to your satisfaction. After removing interfacing from stone, place a piece of white paper on your ironing board. Place rubbing face down on top of white paper and iron on low setting in order to set impression. You can also do this with paper, but fabric interfacing is more durable and easier to frame or store.

Plaster Casts - Tape a piece of aluminum foil to the stone. Using a pencil eraser, carefully work the foil into the stone's lettering and design motifs. When complete, remove the foil and store flat. When ready to make cast, take the foil out and REVERSE it. Fold edges up neatly, so that you will end up with a shallow tray. Mix Plaster of Paris according to package instructions. Pour 1/2 inch wet plaster into the mold and let it set up. Although it seems like the plaster will flatten out the foil impressions, it won't. Remove plaster from mold. You can leave it plain, but it looks better if you paint it with a "granite look" speckle paint, which you can obtain at most craft stores. What to do with it? Frame it, hang it on the wall, turn several into room dividers, use it as a conversation piece!

Make A Great Inexpensive Tombstone Tip,
courtesy of Debra Garner:

During this season of decoration of graves, it is vital to get unmarked graves some type of notation. Anyone knowing who these folks are would be encouraged to place some type of marker. I have placed many in these old cemeteries with markers that were very inexpensive to make. I go to the local Lowes, Wal-mart et. Get a one inch flat solid concrete block, a landscape block (the one I use if placed upright looks like a small tombstone). Then off the local Awards company and have a 5"x7" plaque made on stainless steel. Black with silver or gold embossing does great. I started with plain silver and etching, but these do not show up as well. I glue this engraving to the front of the landscape block with liquid nail. Then attach the block to the flat 1 in concrete block. The overall look is that of a small tombstone. It is better than having the grave remain unmarked. If anyone would like to see a picture of one of these, email me at dougg@hsnp.com and I will send a photo of how it looks. It takes under $20 to do one of these and are light enough for anyone to place by themselves. I priced a small footstone size marker and they run $40 to $60 dollars. So you can mark two or three for the price of one.

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