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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 15:39 GMT (UK)

Title: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 15:39 GMT (UK)
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could read what was written on an old headstone?  The attached photo was sent from Ireland; part of the headstone is very worn, with some of the inscription hard to read.

Has anyone had success with photo enhancing software or is there a company specializing in this?

Thank you.

Caren Matyckas
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: JulesT on Thursday 14 March 13 17:17 GMT (UK)
Can you provide any info on who is named on the headstone? 

I can make out a few words but not sure of names...John? in memory...looks like the third line begins with "S" and I see a "W" next line down another "s"...aged 46...his daughter who departed this life...January.

Not much help really :(

Jules
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: snaptoo on Thursday 14 March 13 18:21 GMT (UK)
I cannot add much to the above but.......

John
In Memory
Sa.... Wm ?onnel?
s.......12th.......
Aged 46

I will attach my enhanced version in the hope that someone else might be able to make use of it

snaptoo
Title: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 18:25 GMT (UK)
Here's the transcription, as best as I can make out:

CONVERY

JOHN M. CONVERY

IN MEMORY OF _________ (unreadable)
SARAH CONVERY WHO DEPARTED
THIS LIFE 12TH JANAURY 1873
AGED 46 __________ (unreadable)

AND HIS DAUGHTER ___________ (unreadable) CONVERY
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
14TH JANUARY 18 __ 9 - third digit could be "8", "9", "0" or another digit; I believe last digit is a "9"

ALSO THE ABOVE NAMED __________ (unreadable)
WHO DIED 2ND JANUARY 1881 - I've confirmed the year through death records
AGED 72 YEARS.
   
Hope this is helpful.

Caren
Title: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 18:26 GMT (UK)
MORE PICTURES
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 18:39 GMT (UK)
MORE PICTURES
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 18:41 GMT (UK)
PARTIAL SECTION
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 18:42 GMT (UK)
FULL HEADSTONE (WITH SHADOW OF PERSON TAKING PHOTO)
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 18:44 GMT (UK)
MORE PARTIAL SECTION
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: JulesT on Thursday 14 March 13 18:55 GMT (UK)
I see January 1899.
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: JulesT on Thursday 14 March 13 19:04 GMT (UK)
It's sad to see gravestones illegible due to erosion.

The graveyard where lots of my relatives are buried has many such headstones.  I remember being able to read them clearly when I was a child and I was shocked to discover on a recent visit how much damage the weather had done in the last 40 years.  Most were made of sandstone and whole chunks have dropped off.

Jules
Title: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Thursday 14 March 13 19:43 GMT (UK)
I also thought the year was 1899; but I can't find any daughters of John M. Convery who died January 14, 1899.
Title: Re: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Thursday 14 March 13 23:18 GMT (UK)
"The attached photo was sent from Ireland"


Caren, do you know what part/cemetery of Ireland the stone is situated.

Regards

Malky
Title: How to Improve Reading a Headstone Photo
Post by: cmatyckas on Friday 15 March 13 02:23 GMT (UK)
The grave is located in the Old Graveyard section of Lavey Parish (Plot 10).  Here's the Lavey Parish link:  http://www.laveyparish.com/o26,4.htm

Everafter has an interactive map; here's the link to Plot 10:  http://www.discovereverafter.com/plot/10838

Thank you.

Caren