What Gravestones Can Tell You About Your Ancestors

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Genealogists know information retrieved from gravestones has a practical application to identify the deceased. However, gravestone can offer up more information about your ancestors when interpreted correctly. Besides functioning as a memorial to the deceased, gravestones in Ontario provide insight into nineteenth and twentieth century life. The visual imagery of the gravestone motifs functions as a decorative element, which reaffirm the position of the deceased within the community and celebrate relationships. On an artistic level, gravestones offer insights into popular culture. Motifs were specifically chosen by the carver or family members to communicate messages about the departed and their significance in the community. In an era when illiteracy was common, carvers relied on the symbols to convey messages of mortality and spirituality to those unable to read. Themes relating to life, death and the hope for everlasting life are just some of the messages portrayed on the stones. Discover the clues and information that gravestones can reveal about your ancestors and the world in which they lived.
Laura Suchan, MA, PLCGS, is a historian, genealogist, researcher, and heritage professional who has dedicated her career to preserving and interpreting the history of Oshawa and Durham Region. A passionate genealogist, Laura specializes in family-history research, cemetery studies, and gravestone documentation, helping individuals and communities connect with their past. Her research on Ontario cemeteries and gravemarkers, has contributed to genealogy and cemetery-preservation initiatives across the province, and she frequently speaks on topics related to local history, gravestones, and family-history research.