Old Tombstone Found in Fireplace Hearth

Imagine finding an old tombstone in your fireplace! It happened recently in Ontario Canada.

A tombstone found by Ingersoll homeowners who were recently renovating their fireplace is that of a pioneer with connections to Brant and Oxford counties, who was also a veteran of the War of 1812.

The pristine limestone grave marker of Comfort Sage, who died on April 5, 1887, at the age of 90 years and 10 months, was found by Russell and Heidi Watson. The couple had turned over a large rectangular hearthstone in their home only to discover that it was actually a tombstone

Source: The Expositor. "Discovery of Tombstone Has Descendants Thrilled to Death" by Heather Ibbotson

Continue reading this fascinating story and see a photo of Comfort Sage

Neanderthal family found cannibalised in cave in Spain

Archaeologists in Spain have unearthed the remains of a possible family of 12 Neanderthals who were killed 49,000 years ago.

Markings on the bones show the unmistakeable signs of cannibal activity, say the researchers, with the group having probably been killed by their peers.



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Coffin Plate: Ezra Holmes

The featured coffin plate today is for Ezra Holmes 1847~1899


View over 500 Coffin Plates at Ancestors At Rest Coffin Plate Collection

Neanderthal genes 'survive in us'

Many people alive today possess some Neanderthal ancestry. Between 1% and 4% of the Eurasian human genome seems to come from Neanderthals according to a landmark DNA study.



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Ancient Muslim cemetery demolished by military regime

A 124 year-old Muslim cemetery was demolished by the Burmese military regime’s Engineers’ Corps from Pegu Division on December 16, 2010, according to a statement issued by the Burmese Muslim Association.

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French Scientists Identify the Head of King Henry IV

With no DNA to help them, a team of French scientists has nevertheless identified this mummified head as that of one of the most popular monarchs to reign over France.

Henry IV was murdered 400 years ago and was buried. But his head was lost during the French revolution at the end of the 17th century when royal graves near Paris were ransacked.

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Coffin Plate: ARMAND in Massachusetts

The featured coffin plate today is for Lauuelina Jane Armand 1841~1866 Massachusetts.

View over 500 Coffin Plates at Ancestors At Rest Coffin Plate Collection

Coffin Plate: George W Abbott

The featured coffin plate today is for Geo W Abbott 1860~1879 Found in U.S.A.

Radar probes for submerged graves

The sloping pasture land near Weyers Cave in northern Augusta County contains centuries-old family mysteries that could be fully explained by a technology developed during the Vietnam War.

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Coffin Plate of Livonia Hodsdon 1807~1868

I have just added the Coffin Plate of Livonia Hodsdon 1807~1868. I had a look in the 1850 United States Federal Census on Ancestry.com. I did not find a Livonia Hodsdon but I did find a Livonia Hodgdon.

1850 United States Federal Census

Livonia Hodgdon
Age: 35
Estimated birth year: abt 1815
Home in 1850 (City,County,State):
Tremont, Hancock, Maine
Household Members:
Name, Age

Enoch Hodgdon 37
Livonia Hodgdon 35
Enoch Hodgdon 9
John W Hodgdon 8
Thomas Hodgdon 5
Cordelia H Mayo 16
Livonia Ann Mayo 17
Joshua C Mayo 13
Warren H Hodgdon 1

Not sure if this is the Livonia we are looking for. It will take a little more reasearch.