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 to 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.