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Tombstones, Our Ancestors’ Monuments to Genealogy Research
By Kathy Jones-Kristof | August 4, 2008
#1 in a Series of 3 About Tombstones and Cemeteries
Even before I began researching my Family History, I loved visiting Cemeteries. Aunt Betty and I once found a grave completely capped in copper. I wanted to know why, but there was no one to ask. In Arizona I saw Tombstones of settlers marked with “Killed by Apaches.” I wondered if Apaches marked their graves “Killed by Settlers.” And the graves of my own ancestors caused me to ask if I looked like them, were they pirates and why were they were buried so far from where we lived?
Although Cemeteries have always inspired me to ask questions, Genealogy changed that. Now I go to Cemeteries to look for answers.
Tombstones can tell you:
- The correct spelling of your ancestor’s name
- The dates your ancestor was born and died, although birth dates may not be reliable on old tombstones
- What your ancestor looked like
- The name of a spouse
- Maiden names
- Parents’ names
- Siblings’ names
- Grandparents’ names
- Emigrants’ Country of Origin
- Armed Forces Service
- Favorite Bible Verses
- Boring Poetry
- Occupations, Examples:
- Carpenters - handsaw
- Blacksmiths - hammer and anvil
- Farmers - plow or scythe
- Stonemason - hammer and chisel
- Club Memberships, Examples:
- Daughters of the American Revolution
- Freemasons
- Knights of Columbus
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Stone Carvings with Symbolic Meanings, Examples:
- Beehive - industry or domesticity, also a symbol for Mormons
- Crescent Moon and Star - a sign for Islam
- Harp - Heavenly music , also a symbol of Irish Heritage
- Crown - reward of a faithful Christian
- Yahzeit (looks like Aladdin’s Lamp) - Jewish commemorative symbol
There are many other Symbolic Carvings used on Tombstones. The Association of Gravestone Studies has an inexpensive field guide, #8, titled Symbolism in the Carving of Gravestones. It contains an excellent list of organizational and religious symbols.
Photo Examples of Tombstones:
Tombstone with an image of the deceased displayed on a Porcelain Plaque.
Tombstone with an organization symbol of the Freemasons.
Tombstone with Armed Forces Service Information from WWI.
Tombstone erected by a descendant giving Genealogical Information—this data would need to be verified with definitive sources, however, before being accepted as fact.
While you’re in the Cemetery, don’t forget to look on the back of Tombstones. I’ve been told there can be important information carved there, too. I’ve never seen anything on the ones that I’ve visited, but I don’t remember ever looking, either, which leads to the horrible nightmare of wondering what I’ve missed. In the words of Charlie Brown of Peanuts’ comic-strip fame, “ARRGH!”
You may have noticed the Occupations listed above didn’t include a scrub bucket, canning jar or diapered baby, which means traditional “women’s work” has never been considered worth the cost of carving. But sometimes love triumphs over cost. I know of a beautiful Tombstone designed by a husband who wanted to give his wife one final romantic gift. The carving on her stone is a box of candy, a spray of roses and music notes.
My next post will be about how to find your ancestor’s Cemetery, then number three in this series will be about what to take with you and how to take the best possible photograph of a Tombstone. Yes, bug spray and snack foods are on the list; but how to find your ancestor’s Cemetery is first, and that comes from Facts, so get your Family File in tip-top shape and check back soon!
Links to Tombstone Carving Interpretations:
Tombstone Initials and their Meanings
The Meanings of Tombstone Carvings
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Topics: All Levels of Genealogists |
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
[...] first two articles in this series, all the incredible things you can learn from your ancestor’s Tombstones and how to find their Cemeteries, you need to know how to photograph those weathered and eroded [...]