Cleaning Old Gravestones

[KathMc]

Bob,

Thanks for the link. I am reading with great interest. I have been lucky myself, as I haven't come across any stones in bad condition. And I have sent all the links to my friend, for her to make her decision. I am also going to suggest she speak with the cemetery association, if she hasn't already. They might have some ideas, or rules about it all.

Kath

[peteseaton]

this is my mums (1973)

so ill have problems then

[KathMc]

My friend actually spoke to a cemetery person, who told her to use bleach in water and a gentle brush. I would be so hesitant. Some of those old stones you just rub and it looks like the stone face itself is coming off. I think if it ever comes down to it fo rme, I would try a paper rubbing of the stone to get the info. At least then, if/when the stone decays, there would be an accurate record of it.

Kath

[mshrmh]

I recently went round a cemetery where a number of stones had been refurbished by attaching a stone plate with a new engraving of the wording. Presumably the old wording had worn and these new plates (within the frame of the existing stone) preserved the old stone while also giving the original inscription in a legible form. Has anyone else come across these?
The cemetery is council-run, still in use, the graves concerned probably late 19th-early 20th century.

[annieoburns]

The stone plaque is an idea I have thought of.  My family stone dates to 1826 and I could not read it but luckily a record of the inscription was made many years ago.  It is also tilting forward and has had some splash of paint on it, vandalism?  The descendants of the person who set up this stone must be several hundreds at this stage so how do you establish your right to have remedial work done. Noone could say they now 'own' the plot.
Anne

[mshrmh]

Hi Anne - I agree tracing "ownership" may be impractical. It could be that the cemetery's authority (church, local council etc) would have some views or guidelines on what you could do if you were to approach them. Perhaps you could "plant" a laminated notice by the headstone if they were agreeable stating your idea and asking to be contacted if there are nearer relatives, giving a date and perhaps a neutral address  eg the cemetery authority or the masons you would use for the work.

[Guy Etchells]

The ownership of a gravestone belongs to the person who inherits it not to all the descendants of the original owner.

If wills are left the asset will be left to a specific person or will be included in a clause that covers "remaining assets".
If the owner died intestate then the assets are inherited in set proportions.

In most cases the remainder is either left to the spouse or children.

This means that in most cases the possible current owners of a gravestone will be within a relatively small group of people rather than hundreds.
Cheers
Guy

[Windsor87]

My mother used her shoe. Worked. So when can I expect the police?

I don't buy this whole heirs and successors business. If the stone has been allowedto degenerate into a bad state, I'd say that the 'owners' have given up their claim. Therefore, I will retain my unofficial right to clean any stone I so wish so long as it is evident that I'm not infringing on any family burial plot. I would, ofcourse, be careful not to destroy the stone. The incident with the shoe was simply a very thick layer of moss which easily brushed off. I know that I'm not imposing on anyones burial ground because that part of the cemetery is no longer used. One row after my line of graves there is a very steep fall! The stones in question were erected in 1838, 1890 and 1910. The last was erected by my great great grandmother. My grandfather, 'heir and successor' didn't even know that the site existed. That is three generations of his family lying side by side.

[KathMc]

I can't argue with Windsor87's logic. As long as there is no damage done, I would be thrilled to find a stone already cleaned off for me. My mother would be one of the "heirs" to a number of plots and she's never been or hasn't been since a child. One of her cousins has the deed to one of the plots, bought in 1880s, and he's never been. I'm the only one in the family who has gone.

Kath