Cleaning Old Gravestones

[willow154]

Thanks Sandy.
 I have to say I didn't realise it would take so long for the lichen to grow back; I assumed it was like the moss and grow back very quickly.
Food for thought!
Paulene
P.S. Is there a site which tells you which grayeyards have been transcribed in Northants? Just wondered if the one opposite where I live has been done, or not.
 Promise I'll be more careful, now

[seahall]

Hi Paulene

If you go to NFHS link here http://www.northants-fhs.org/

On left hand side click Publications then it should show M.I.'s then just click booklet.

They are adding to them all the time.

Sandy

[willow154]

Thanks, Sandy - that was quick!
It doesn't look as if it has been done - in fact I can't see any of the ones in this benefice1
Must make further inquiries - reading about all the work you've done made me think iit might be a useful contribution to make for those looking in our area.
Once again, thanks, Sandy.
Paulene

[ricky1]

Hi Willow

Might be worth keeping an eye on this site, sadly nothing done in Northants yet

http://www.interment.net/uk/eng/index.htm

ricky

[seahall]

Hi Paulene

All transcribers where ever they are or whatever they are doing to assist others are in-valuable.

From the minute they start copying any original work and then putting into the
public domain means it help others in their research.

Here on Rootschat of course are also the other side of in-valuable people as well
assisting others through documented records and information not available to all.

I have benefited an awful lot myself here.

Having been up since 6.00a.m. time for bed.

Nite  

Sandy

[willow154]

Night, Sandy.
Ricky1 thanks for the site - can't believe how few there are listed for Beeston - went there recently to look for my husband's rellies. Was really impressed at how well tended it was. Didn't find them, though
Paulene
Will give this some thought - went to take some photos for a rootschatter, in a village about 20 miles from here -  really enjoyed looking.

[Nick29]

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 ...

I take my digital camera, and photograph the stone from several different angles.  If you have computer software that will do simple editing (e.g. image enhancement, brightness and contrast correction, etc), you can often make out lettering that can't easily be seen with the naked eye.  I use ACDSee Photo Editor for this because it's so easy to use.  You can get even better results if you have a friend with a powerful flashlight who can illuminate the stone from different angles when you're photographing.

In the past I've taken pictures of all the stones in small village churchyards, because it doesn't take a minute, and it avoids making return trips when you uncover a new part of the family tree.

[mare]

I must also thank you Sandy for the lichen link pm'ed to me earlier this month, it has really made me think differently about lichen covered old gravestones. Still haven't investigated whether any protection applies in NZ, but am sorry I hadn't read through the views expressed here earlier. I have tended to assume that 'neglected' graves have no visiting kin to care for them  

mare

[Isles]

On the question of cleaning gravestones, if the inscription is unreadable due to lichen the question arises does one leave them be or attempt a gentle cleaning.  If left alone, in time the face of the stone will begin to spall and the inscription is lost for ever.  Several years ago a friend and I recorded and photographed all the inscriptions in our local churchyard (disused).  Since then, quite a few of the inscriptions have disappeared.