Tombstone Help

Puma · Dec 23, 2011

I think this is a better place to post this question than story research - hope so anyway.

I'm working on repairing/restoring an old cemetery (1850-1900) in central Ohio. In 1935 there were about 175 recorded graves; right now I can find only about 100. The cemetery was vandalised about 25 years ago, so any stone fragments that show up in walkways and around the edges are getting dug up and looked at.

In this process, I've found five stones in various places in the cemetery that are about the same size as the footstones used (6" wide x 2" thick" x app 15" high), but are more roughly cut. Each of the stones is inscribed I.S. But the lettering is distinctive - the S has a straight up and down tail on both the upper and lower ends.

Does anyone have any ideas what I.S. might stand for? We do have some S surnames in the cemetery, but no I given names. We thought it might mean "infant son", but I don't think that's the case. These stones have been near the grave of a Civil War soldier who died at Atlanta, near the grave of a man who died in the little village at the age of 90 (and was never military), as well as other locations.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Puma

Hip-Hop-a-potamus · Dec 23, 2011

Hmmm...

I'm embarrassed I don't know this. Infant son probably would have been my guess too.

I have a cousin who is a certified genealogist, and she has lots of other CG's on her Facebook page. I'll see if they know anything.

HH

Puma · Dec 23, 2011

Thanks, Hip-Hop. There are several of us working on this project and we're all stumped. I don't think they're lot markers. We have the standard roundish/squarish ones in the other local cemeteries by 1850 (but none in this cemetery). Anything you and your cousin can come up with will be much appreciated. Puma

alleycat · Dec 23, 2011

I'm kind of wondering too.

Infant son would have been my guess as well. I still half-way think it might be, regardless of the other details you've provided.

Puma · Dec 23, 2011

Apparently, in some old cemeteries if there was an adult in the family buried in a plot, a child was sometimes buried above the adult. But, the 90 year old man and Civil War soldier sort of shoot that idea in this case.

If IS is infant son, I'd think we ought to find an ID at some point and nothing like that yet.

I tried to paste a picture of one of the stones in here and either I can't or I don't know how. They all appear to have been done by the same stone cutter - but it's not a style I identify from other stones in the cemetery. Puma

alleycat · Dec 23, 2011

Have you put the photo on Photobucket or a similar photo sharing website?

Puma · Dec 23, 2011

No, I don't know anything about photo bucket. I know only enough about the web to get myself in trouble. Puma

alleycat · Dec 23, 2011

There is a FAQ about using a photo hosting website (photobucket is just one) and then linking the photo(s) here.

If you think it will help, let me know and I'll send you my e-mail address and you can send me the photos and I'll post them.

It's just a little extra service for long-standing members. ;-)

pdr · Dec 23, 2011

Er...?

Infant Stillborn?

Or are they short for something Latinish as worked out by local non-Latin scholars?

Did you say they are all by the same hand? Are they all the same dates? Was there a plague/illness?

Interesting guessing isn't it?

MeretSeger · Dec 23, 2011

I would like to see an image if you have one. It almost sounds like IHS without an 'H'... maybe that one stonecarver had a personal 'variant' of it?

Puma · Dec 23, 2011

Thanks everyone. I'm going to take Alleycat up on the offer of posting pictures for me. But that may not happen until tomorrow since it's about my bedtime.

I'd thought about the IHS, MeretSeger, but don't think so. You'll be able to see images once Alleycat gets them up.

No dates, pdr. Nothing on the stones except the IS. I hadn't thought of Infant Stillborn. That is a good thought. And yes, there were several cholera epidemics. They do appear to all have been done by the same stonecutter, but not the usual one(s). These stones are rough in comparison to the other stones in the cemetery - headstones and footstones both. Puma

MeretSeger · Dec 23, 2011

I love mysteries! Looking forward to finding out what it means.

alleycat · Dec 24, 2011

Puma's photographs.

382912_186067604822679_100002583237207_335808_375982221_a.jpg

394520_186067628156010_100002583237207_335809_1580677307_n.jpg

383327_186067658156007_100002583237207_335810_119408146_a.jpg

390662_186067704822669_100002583237207_335811_1753183256_a.jpg

Puma · Dec 24, 2011

Thank you so much, Alleycat. Now everyone can see what I mean about the stones being rough in comparison to normal grave and foot stones. And they they can see the deliberate cuts at the ends of the S. To me it also looks like the I in the one Alleycat made largest may have a cross stroke. See what you think. I'd love to solve this mystery. Thank you everyone. Puma

ETA: Pictures 1 and 3 are the same stone; 2 and 4 are the same stone.

alleycat · Dec 24, 2011

I should have put them in order. I just wasn't thinking when I posted them.

I kind of think that's not a cross stoke in the second stone; it looks like a later addition, or damage. Maybe.

Puma · Dec 24, 2011

No problem on the order, Alleycat.

I'm not sure what to think about that spot on the second stone which is why I mentioned it. It almost looks like the letter originally wasn't high enough and it was expanded. Puma

MeretSeger · Dec 24, 2011

Great pictures. I can see the very texture of the stone. That said, I'm stumped!

You might post these in the Story research/experts wanted thread. I recall that there is at least one historical archaeologist that checks in there. He may have actually seen these in his work.

To throw out another abbreviation idea: In Service.

Puma · Dec 24, 2011

Thanks again, MeretSeeger. The In Service is another possibility and would make sense for the Civil War soldier who died at Atlanta. There are at least half a dozen boys in the cemetery who never came home. I'll have to look at where we've found the IS stones in relation to their graves. I know right off the top of my head one of the other ones is very close - but the other ones I'll have to look at. I really appreciate your help. Puma

alleycat · Dec 24, 2011

Here's a larger view of the other stone.

383327_186067658156007_100002583237207_335810_119408146_n.jpg

Buffysquirrel · Dec 24, 2011

Are they Lombardic letters? Unusual for the time period, at least they would be in Europe, I think.

Siri Kirpal · Dec 24, 2011

Sat Nam! (Literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

I ran this by my husband who likes tombstones, etc. He suggested a Latin phrase, such as In Spe (in hope) or In Somnis (In Dreams). Or some other Latin phrase that was current in your neck of the woods then. Possibly [something] Semper.

I wondered if it could be the stonecutter's initials, though that doesn't seem likely in a cemetery.

Otherwise, In Service and Infant Stillborn seem the best guesses.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

alleycat · Dec 24, 2011

Siri Kirpal said:
Infant Stillborn seem the best guesses.

That would get my vote if we can't come up with anything better.

Hip-Hop-a-potamus · Dec 24, 2011

In Somnis is an interesting theory too, depending on the Catholicism rates of folks in the area. Basically "At Rest" right?

I got nothin. Haven't heard from cuz yet. The holiday is slowing down her Facebook surfing. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

MeretSeger · Dec 24, 2011

I have found records that show DIS was used to denote Died in Service for Civil war markers, at least in Delaware. http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/depts/archives.html

Could serving alone be such a source of pride that veterans of the war would note IS for having served?

alleycat · Dec 24, 2011

The trouble I see with some kind of military abbreviation or Latin phrase is: why didn't they just put it on the headstone?

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