Tombstone Tuesday - Dating Tombstones

Let’s Review the Basics

Sandstone Grave Marker

 When walking the cemetery finding Mr. Ancestor, an unmarked grave in the cemetery plot can still lead to hints. For one, don’t forget to note the material of the tombstone, especially of unmarked grave.  This detailed information can be helpful when trying to distinguish generations in families that reuse names.  Such was the case with the five sons of Oney Martin and Alford Martin.  The eldest son was Alford, as were two grandsons and one great-grandson.  None had readable dates on their tombstones. 

I have also used this method to determine when the marker was placed on the grave.  This may provide hints to erroneous dates, especially, when a marker is placed years after the ancestor’s demise. When the material of the tombstone does not match the death date of the deceased, it is important to take note.

Headstone, Tombstone, or Grave Marker?

“The terms headstone, tombstone, grave marker and gravestone are used synonymously. But it wasn’t always that way. At one time, tombstones and gravestones were actually different things. The terms tombstone and headstone were originally used to describe the stone lid of a coffin, while a ‘gravestone’ was the marker that was placed on top of the gravesite.”[1]

Matching Dates/Eras with Tombstone Materials

The following information has been reprinted for genealogists periodically. I most recently saw it in an archived copy of the Harper County Connections (Kansas) genealogy periodical.[2]

1650-1890	Sandstone or brownstone (a type of sandstone) was often used in Colonial America.  Brownstone deteriorated quickly.
1796-1830	Slate material or fieldstone.  Pioneers used wood slates, but few exist due to natural decomposition.
1830-1849	Limestone and marble (a re-crystallized form of limestone, but quite expensive) dissolve slowly due to the mild acid of rainwater.  These flat topped hard marble inscriptions become less readable over time. Although 1830-1849 is the most common period marble and limestone tombstones may be seen, this date may be extended from 1780-1930.
1845-1868	rounded or pointed soft marble with cursive inscriptions.
1850s -present	Masonic four sided-stones
1860-1900	pylons, columns and exotic style monuments
1874-1914	sand-cast zinc monuments or “white bronze” was marketed as a more durable and less expensive material than marble.
1900s	granite most common

Can’t Make Out the Date?

Try using a 75 watt black light bulb (in any lamp) and cast the light directly on the written message.

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Accurate, Accessible Answers

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[1] Headstones and Memorials, A Short History of the Granite Headstone. http://www.headstonesandmemorials.com/History_of_the_Headstone_Granite_Headstone_History.php;  Online access 22 Jun 2010

[2] Harper County Connections, “Bits N’ Pieces” (original source note “from the Michigan USGenWeb page).