Help with gravestone writing

[Lee_T]

Hi everyone

Been a member for years but just getting back into my family history.

I recently visited the grave of an ancestor and wondering if anyone can help me decipher what it says on it?

Apologies if this is in the wrong area of the forum.

Thanks in advance.

Lee

[Milliepede]

What was the ancestors name?

It looks something like John Thurston? 

Numbers something 58 - you would probably know the date of death already - 1858?  Or maybe 58 was the age at death.

At the bottom also his sister then a number 27 which again could be the age

[Annie65115]

I think the second line includes the words "who died", and I can see 1858 rather than just 58 -- so I guess that's his year of death.

[Eyesee]

This is the same headstone on Findagrave, a bit easier to read.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203055714/john-thurston

Ian C

[Eyesee]

https://www.gravestonephotos.com/public/cemeterynamelist.php?cemetery=2667&limit=176
https://www.gravestonephotos.com/public/gravedetails.php?grave=378804

Looks to have died in 1838, not 1858, aged 34, so Findagrave is incorrect.

IN
Memory of
JOHN THURSTON
who died
Sept 8th 1838
Aged 34 years

Also on the right lies Mary
the sister ??

Ian C

[rosie17]

A lady who helps out with grave inscriptions once told me to brush on some talcum powder to the stone .You might want to try this 

Rosie

[David Nicoll]

Hi, I think I would read as aged 31, but a suggested, something to highlight the text like talcum powder, or good old fingers.

[q98]

I found a good solution to be one image each from the left and right plus one from directly in front, all at approximately the same distances.

[Chris Doran]

Putting anything on a gravestone is considered a no-no nowadays. The current recommendation is a bright light shone across the stone, e.g. wait for the sun to be in the right direction, reflect sunlight across with a large mirror or unrolled aluminium foil (having an assistant helps), or use a bright torch. The last preferably in the dark if you have access at dusk or dark, can avoid tripping over on the way, and won't start a ghost story Torches with a row of LEDs can be bought in "pound" shops (though inflation means they may be a bit more than £1).

However, enhancing the contrast of Find a Grave's expanded image looks to me like 1858 is the correct date.