Hi Katherine and all ALWalker list members, First, the good news for you Katherine in Texas... Texas has an active RIP program for gravestones and has several protocols for gravestone care. The green mossy like substance you refer to may be "lichens' (The Texas Historical Commission just gave Collin County Texas a workshop on gravestones. It was a workshop that I was able to attend and you might look for other such workshops that might be held by Texas County Genealogical and Historical Societies near you, in the near future.) Look here for more information as it pertains to your local programs. Much of this website deals with registering for historical designation which then make that cemetery available for their RIP program. http://www.thc.state.tx.us/cemeteries/cemrip.shtml As a non-renewable resource a cemetery and its stones need our protection and care. I should leave all the details to the experts but I do want to mention before you consider cleaning any stone that you first make very sure that it is safely and prominently secure in its position before you attempt any exercise in cleaning. There are several things that I had never heard before about wetting the stone and cleaning from the bottom up and what tools to use and what things not to do that I had not heard explained. They has a very short list of what items you can use on a stone besides water---again I will let the experts explain. Please feel free to contact the RIP program to learn more. As for what one might learn in Alabama, these types on workshops are really important----many of the old suggestions have changed so be sure and look for the newest lists of proper methods. When in doubt, its best to leave a stone untouched. I note that they have written you back on the list, and with more info, and it looks be many of the very same things taught here. It's really fabulous that cemeteries have begun to gain more interest in preservation. Claudia Fields Kraemer Walker County ALGENWEB coordinator -----Original Message----- From: alwalker-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:alwalker-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of jp55@wt.net Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 5:45 PM To: alwalker@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ALWALKER] Headstone Repair and Cleaning Workshop Katherine, I live in Texas and will not be able to attend the headstone workshop. However, I am very interested in learning the "how to's" My great grandparents headstones are being covered by a small green mossy-like substance. Could you please as Mr. Thomas how I clean this substance off without doing any damage? If I let this growth continue, one won't be able to read the lettering. Thanks! Jackie --- kat@hallofmaat.com wrote: From: "Katherine Reece" <kat@hallofmaat.com> To: <chilton@yahoogroups.com> Cc: alwalker@rootsweb.com, ALLOWNDE@rootsweb.com, al-cemeteries@rootsweb.com, alchilto@rootsweb.com Subject: [ALWALKER] Headstone Repair and Cleaning Workshop Date: Fri, 1 May 2009 13:22:50 -0500 The Chilton Cemetery Association is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a headstone repair and cleaning workshop at the Rocky Mount Cemetery in Chilton County. The Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance will be assisting the CCA on the workday. Charles Thomas, owner of Eagle Eye Masonry in Pinson Alabama, will be onhand demonstrating the correct way to repair and clean headstones. Everyone is invited and admission is free. This is not just for the residents of Chilton County but for anyone who wants to learn how to correctly take care of old headstones. Details: When: June 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Where: Rocky Mount Cemetery in Jemison Alabama on County Road 51 Directions: From I-65 - the 219 Jemison Thorsby exit turn east onto County Road 42 for half a mile. At the four way intersection turn left onto County Road 51 for two miles at which time you'll go back over the interstate. Continue on Co. Rd. 51 for one mile to the Rocky Mount Cemetery on your right. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ALWALKER-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ALWALKER-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.320 / Virus Database: 270.12.13/2091 - Release Date: 05/01/09 17:52:00