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Family History Documents and Artefacts => Graveyards and Gravestones => Topic started by: stileslisa9 on Friday 17 April 09 19:53 BST (UK)
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Hi
Was wondering if anyone could possibly try to bring out the writing on this headstone. It belongs to an Eliza Bowden. I am looking in particular, for any dates that can be found?
Many thanks!!
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I'll start, can anyone do better ???
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Lisa
If you have access to the gravestone, I suggest you gently wash it , which should bring out the lettering.
Hey Paula
What are you doing drawing Andy Capp on that gravestone ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Well decyphered
Mark :)
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Well blow me, Mark...now youo come to mention it :D
I see the Typo Fairy has struck again...that should be YOU...not youo >:(
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Sorry I can't help on the actual writing but the style of headstone and lettering is similar to head stones I found for my family that were 1750/1760ish. Don't suppose that helps much though!
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It does confirm what I was hesitant to put down, tigtig.
I thought I could see 179? but wasn't too sure.
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I actually thought it was
17 t [with a curly h] followed by Oct.... with an 8 lower down.
I fully expect to be proven totally wrong ;D ;D ;D ;D
Mark
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I'm lost with this one, I can't make any more out.
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Not much time today - but here's a high-contrast version for you eagle-eyes.
Mike
Top part may be "SACRED TO" then "the memory of" then "ELIZ BOWDEN".
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I don't have the software with me right now as I'm at work but I'd suggest converting this image to black and white and experimenting with the contrast and saturation. I've done this before with gravestones and it can reveal more of the lettering. It works best when the light falling on the stone at the time the original photo was taken is from one side so that the shadows are there.
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Hi
Many thanks for the help! Will visit the headstone and try washing it gently. I may even go down the 'pre-technology' route and take a few rubbings from it as well. Thanks for trying, Ive got a little more to go on now I have a rough date!
Many thanks!!!!
;D
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Here are two black and white copies.
I think I see 1545. ???
Jamjar
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Across the top I think the word is "ERECTED", so we have "Erected to the memory of Eliz. Bowden". After that it could be "17th" or "7th" of a month (maybe October, there is a round shape but it could be a zero). Beyond that I can make out nothing except for what might half of an "8" which appears in line with the "z" of Eliz and midway between that and the base of the stone. I think the rest is so worn it'll be hard to do like this - the brass rubbing will be your best bet. Good luck!
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After adjusting the exposure I think it says
ERECTED
to
the memory of
ELIZ. BOWDEN
1786?
???
???
I can see 1786
What county was this in?
Matt
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What has helped me in the past is taking a sheet of paper and chalk or a piece of charcoal or even a wide lead pencil and gently rubbing the chalk over the paper ... the letters will not be filled in ... do not press too hard or you will fill in where the letters are because they are not deep anymore. It's worth a try anyway.
Shelly
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Take some more photos as per the advice at:
PHOTOGRAPHING GRAVESTONES - Advice from our experts!!
In particular using flash at a 45 degree angle, or take along a powerful torch and shine it at the lettering from the side.
Early morning sun may also help.
tom
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I think it says ERECTED
By
The Family Of
Eliza Bowden----
the next line is a date ,but unfortunately I can`t make it out ,but that is what you wanted ,so sorry I can`t see it better. Best of luck. Viktoria.
P.S have you tried a rubbing? holding a sheet of paper over the stone and rubbing over it with a thick black crayon or better still "cobbler`s heelball " black wax for waxing the strong thread for hand stitched soles to you and me.You can get it in shops attached to Cathedrals for people who do rubbings of the brass plaques marking graves in the Cathedral, of knights etc.