Genealogy Chat

Have found a headstone where both man and wife's ages are recorded in moons (ie not years)
Anyone seen this before? What does it tell us about those buried?
David

North American native?

Just out of curiosity, how many moons were they aged?

Don't see how that helps - but 1145 and 737
David

How it may help David is that it could give a clue as to finding out what it means.

Some native beliefs do calculate ages in moons. A moon is a lunar month as opposed to a calendar month, i.e. the duration of the moon's orbit around earth. There are 12.368 lunar months in a year.

If that was the system used then the 1145 = roughly 92 years 7 months and the 737 = roughly 59 years 7 months.

Do you have the names, dates and death places of the deceased? It would be interesting to see if my theory pans out.

It appears to be a system used by wizards - there are several websites about how to calculate your age in moons.

Can you find out if they were buried in consecrated ground? I can't imagine that pagans, Druids or followers of other ancient beliefs would want that.

Yes - apparently buried in 'normal' parish graveyard
David

Surely the death certificate or burial records would have to be in years?

It probably is - however, the moon ages are given on a headstone. With a few 'public decency' provisos, anything can be inscribed on them.

David. How do you feel about tracing their descendents or are the headstones too old for that to be practical?

If they are old, they've possibly been spotted by other people. Is there a local FH or Historical society you could approach? Does the Church have a 'Guide' mentioning them?

We're all curious now and obviously haven't spotted anything similar.

This headstone was actually found by a descendant of the couple described on it - so there is no point in tracing descendants. It is mentioned as a curiosity on several websites for the area - but no explanation.
We seem to be drawing a blank NB see my opening enquiry - am just curious whether anyone has seen any other headstone with age in moons - or what it may tell us about the couple described.
Thank you all for your interest
David

So you're not going to tell us the names of the couple or where and when they died?

Some of us are quite interested and would like to look into it but I guess you're not going to let us.

I think I should seek the permission of the descendants before disclosing details - and I will ask
David

OK I have received permission. The gravestone is at St Marys Stockport and if you go to the following you can see a photograph:
http://www.carlscam.com/stockport/thorne.htm
David

Transcription copied from link


Inscription: In Memory of
James Thorneley of Stockport, died Oct 30th 1825 aged One Thousand One Hundred and Forty five Moons.
Also Susan his Wife who died July 22nd 1798 aged Seven Hundred and Thirty seven Moons.
James Thorneley and his wife lies under this stone
And cursed is he that disturbes one bone.


Oo - er. There's obviously some belief in magical cursing going on here!

N Cheshire Memorial Inscriptions Transcription

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Print transcription
First name(s) JAMES
Last name THORNELEY
Birth year -
Birth month -
Death year 1825
Death month Oct
Age 1145
Burial year 1825
Burial place ST MARY CofE, Churchgate
Parish STOCKPORT
County Cheshire
Country England
Fiche 48
Grave number Pg. 116e
OS grid reference SJ=898 905
Record set N Cheshire Memorial Inscriptions
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Subcategory Deaths & burials
Collections from Great Britain

Unless James instructed the stonemason before his death, might it have been commissioned by one of his children? The moons/curse might have been their beliefs rather than his.

Age 1145 - that's funny :-D

http://tinyurl.com/pjcrh7e

He seems to have been quite a character!! :-)

Fascinating!

The Masonic ritual does contain Curses, but relating to themselves.

Does anyone know if the age or era is counted in moon?