There are so many times when you've gone and read a paper, signed it and then found out that you missed a portion of it, or a specific phrase that didn't make sense or you didn't notice. I've done it a hundred times, for that I am sure. When it comes to family history research, the fine print isn't always clear either. Fine print on historical papers could be in many forms. The fine print on a census might be the codes that the government wrote in after the facts were taken. The fine print on a military head stone application could be in the stamp of the shipping company. But what is the fine print of a cemetery tombstone? I'm glad you asked! Once in a rare blue moon... ok, maybe it's slightly more often than a blue moon, how about... Once in a full moon, you will see somewhere on a headstone a random initial or even a partial name or full name if you are lucky. These names are what Tiffany Co would label as maker's marks. It makes sense right? Well, other than word of mouth, in the 1800's there were not many opportunities for self-promotion and advertisement. Even many of the business owners were not well off enough to regularly run an advertisement in one of the few newspapers of the time in any given area. Creativity as it is, they would just sign their initials or name on a tombstone. I've seen them on the front, the back, the base.... just about everywhere. Today, I saw a mans name repeatedly in one particular cemetery. Of course, logically I knew in my head that this means he was good at his craft and that his work was well noted by people in the community. If it wasn't, they'd have not ordered from him. I told myself that when I got home, I'd find out what he was like and where he lived. It's all in the fine print. I have to honestly admit that I don't always look for a maker's mark unless it just jumps out at me. I've decided now that I will specifically look at certain stones to see if there is one. I've a handful of other names from the local area here that were also "Stone Cutters". The one below is J.McNabb. There is a small range of dates and designs here and I'm sure I have more of his work in my files. John McNabb was 30 years old in the 1880 Federal Census enumeration of Cullman, where he and his family were living. He was born in Scottland and his wife was 18 years old. Her name was Lucinda and she was born in Alabama. They had a 2 year old baby girl named Mary.
By 1900 John and his wife now have 9 children, 8 of them living with of them and one apparently moved out on their own. Lucinda is the mother of 10 so 1 child may have died. John immigrated in 1872 from Scottland is now a Naturalized citizen and has been in the states for 28 years. He now also works for "Marble Works". I've seen this mark as well in several cemeteries and will try to find one to put on with the others here. Also living with him is his brother George who is naturalized and his nephew George, both born in Scotland. In 1910 John and Lucinda have two more children totaling 12 - 10 of them living. John now owns his own shop and lists his occupation as a Stone Cutter. 1920 shows me that Lucinda has died now even though she is much younger than John. John is still cutting stone in his own shop and his son Hammond appears to be apprenticing under him. His brother George is still living with him and now so is his sister Jessie. John and Hammond are supporting them all with the sales of the marble stones. Then...there is nothing. I assume when the elder siblings and John all pass away Hammond stops running the family business. Did you get all that from the fine print? :D I hope you've enjoyed your summer. The first day of October is a rude awakening that the fine print of Autumn is coming... While you are out enjoying the smell of burning leaves, fresh air and the colors of fall foliage, don't forget to enjoy your Adventures in Genealogy! ~M
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AuthorMichele is an obsessed mother of 4 residing in North Alabama. Hobbies include long walks in the woods, on the beach and in strange cemeteries and libraries. Genealogy friends need only apply. Categories
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