Like an old family photograph the value of historic information often trivial or incidental increases with age, which is why our graveyards are a favourite haunt of local studies librarian Deirdre Armstrong. Headstones retain much of our local history and serve as a good starting point to research the history of an area. Many of the names on ancient headstones are sill common in the locality for the dead retain a hold on the living. While many may be unfamiliar with the history of where they live, the interest in everything that's going on locally, past and present is strong judging by the large turnout for a tour of Newcastle's historical past. Deirdre delivered a creditable history of the Mournes and the development of Newcastle based solely on books available from the local library. History books leave little space for the lives of the ordinary people but local historians can draw on a range of alternative sources including the parish registers, the County Down Museum and the Public Record Office. Equally enlightening are the back issues of the local newspapers. All the back issues of the Mourne Observer can be viewed in Newcastle library and editions of other local papers are available on request. Academic study provides a framework for research but it's the oral testament that often brings it to life. Many of the people who attended the tour had interesting stories to tell including that of a man laid to rest in a tomb rather than the customary six feet under because he refused to allow his relations access to his money after he was buried. Given the amount of interest in local lore its surprising that Newcastle doesn't have its own historical society but then again only a brave woman would spends her evenings examining headstones If you want your headstone to last don't choose sandstone, Mourne granite is much superior but for clarity down through the ages nothing beats slate.