Alyssa Gutierrez’s lifelong interest in anthropology and archaeology sought expression in her curiosity about gravestones on Long Island. Why were the pre-Revolutionary headstones of Suffolk and Nassau counties made in New England? Who were the stone carvers? In 2020 the author began dragging friends and family to one burial ground after another! Interestingly, Alyssa has found only one colonial headstone in the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley area. Why is that? Do you know of any others?
A graduate of Binghamton University with degrees in anthropology and history, Alyssa uses 3-D imaging and photography as an aid to her study of colonial headstones. From her biography we learn that she is “passionate about the preservation and stewardship of historic graveyards and hopes to raise awareness about their place in local and national history.”
Don’t miss the fascinating and often funny stories about our ancestors, whose occasionally amusing headstone inscriptions can beautifully instruct us in life.