Cleaning Old Gravestones

[KathMc]

Hi all. A friend is trying to clean her ggg grandparents stones of moss. She was working at the bottom and scratched the stone, so stopped, and wondered what she could do to get the moss off. I knew there would be someone here who could help. I had heard you can use bleach to get moss off stone, but I wasn't sure that was the route to go with a gravestone. These stones are from the 1860s and 1870s. She said they were more of a "modern" ilk than the old stone ones.

Thanks for the help.

Kath

[stanmapstone]

Just to point out that each gravestone or memorial is owned by the person who erected it, or by his/her successors, and anyone who removes or defaces a memorial trespasses thereby. Before undertaking any work you should obtain permission from the owner.
Cleaning gravestones so as to not cause damage is not a job to be undertaken by an amateur. Where cleaning is felt to be necessary for an inscription to be made legible, this can be achieved by using a soft brush and plain water. A few lichen species are specially protected by law and collecting (or damaging) them is an offence.
Have a look at
http://www.thebls.org.uk/content/chlich.html
and http://www.ctgravestones.com/Conservation/cleaning.htm
Stan

[ricky1]

hi Kath

I used warm soapy water and a very fine brass brush, and I didnt have a problem doing it, but then I suppose what the head stone is made out of.

[aghadowey]

Went to graveyard recently and someone had scratched across s stone to read one name and his dates better. I'm pretty sure of the culprit as recently his illegitimate daughter's daughter was in touch (she had just been told who grandfather was) but a few weeks later grand-daughter died suddenly (a coincidence I'm sure). It was a lovely old stone and don't know if it'll ever look alright again.

[Guy Etchells]

Be very careful when attempting to clean gravestones you could be committing a criminal offence.
Lichens may be found on many gravestones and at least 26 species are protected under UK law (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).

It should also be noted for overseas forum members that many countries in the world protect lichens including the USA and Russia.
Cheers
Guy

[Suffolk Mawther]

Before attempting cleaning, I use paper and old fashioned wax crayons to make a 'rubbing' of the lettering, often that is successful and gives all the information needed.

Also, when visiting a graveyard in Suffolk with an overseas researcher, the afternoon sunlight made the stone much easier to read than the mornings shadows.  Always take a good torch (flashlight) along so that you can shine on to the lettering from different angles - sometimes helps.

Best wishes, SM ...

[KathMc]

Thank you all for this information. I will pass it along to my friend. It is her ggg grandparents grave, so I don't think ownership is an issue (but not sure, so I wouldn't even assume that), but I know she absolutely doesn't want to damage the stones. I am in the US and don't know anything about lichen being protected, so there is another thing to look into. I knew I was posting in the right place. 

I will let her know.

On a side note, I am going with her to visit an old family plot, which will entail a hike to get to, and I am so excited. Her family has been in this area for generations and the original family member who settled here is buried there. Not my family, but exciting to make the excursion with her.

Thanks for all the info and especially the cautions.

Kath

[KathMc]

I called my friend a while ago with all the info you guys have given and I emailed her the link for cleaning (thanks Stan). I cautioned her on everything and she is in total agreement. I must say, she was shocked at how quickly I got a response. I told her she needs to check out this great site I go to... 

I am hoping to take a walk over to the cemetery with her tomorrow. I have been to it, but never with someone who has family there and I think it would be wonderful to visit with a "townie." This is the cemetery in my town that most of the town fathers are buried in. This isn't her family plot, which I will be going to with er soon I hope, but a town cemetery. It is small and quite old, by American standards. My kids find it creepy, so I am looking forward to going with someone who will not want to run out as soon as we get under a large, shadow-providing tree.

Kath

[Berlin-Bob]

There are some more topics about this here

Topic: RootsChat Topics: Graveyards, Gravestones, Gravestone Symbols, etc.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,203252.0.html

Bob