I thought that these points were worth seeing agin. I hope that this helps someone Teri ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Date forwarded: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 07:43:42 -0700 (PDT) From: "woodside@bicnet.net" <woodside@bicnet.net> Subject: Tombstone Issues Date sent: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 10:30:31 -0400 To: WASHBURN-L@rootsweb.com Forwarded by: WASHBURN-L@rootsweb.com Send reply to: WASHBURN-L@rootsweb.com The desire to pluck old inscriptions from cemetery stones raises important questions for genealogists and historians, and anyone who cares about preserving our family heritage. Before this becomes a loose thread, I would like to address it from a technical standpoint. As an Architectural designer/ material specifier, who also has worked with stone, understanding the properties of stone and the effect of types of wear in diverse situations is imperative. The idea that stone is a permanent material, impervious to abrasion or chemicals, is sadly incorrect. Far from it: we are losing not only cemetery inscriptions but great architectural details, and even entire structures, worldwide, at an alarming rate through a myriad of influences. Acid rain. Sulphur from car emmissions, Vandalism, weather and temperature changes. And now even the misguided family historian's crayons and scrapers and chemicals. Although the intention is to capture and preserve this information, many suggested techniques actually accelerate damage to the stone. For this reason an increasing number of cemeteries prohibit rubbings and the physical application of any substance to the stones. Once the hard, polished surface has begun to wear off, a stone becomes increasingly vulnerable to natural wear and the influences of weather. Some stones are naturally softer than others. Marble is especially vulnerable. Even granite is subject to disintegrating influences of time. Rubbing is an action that wears away the raised portions of the stone. Shaving cream does, indeed, leave an acid residue that does not wash off. It destroys marble and limestone. Dusting with flower attracts damaging molds. Even the water brought to wash them off is likely to have chemicals that react destructively with the stone. Never attempt to scrape or 'clean' a stone. Only trained conservators should attempt this. So what are the options? If one absolutely must make rubbings (and if it is allowed) thin paper and SOFT charcoal should be the only method used. A can of spray artist's fixative will keep the charcoal from coming off the paper when you are done, but be careful not to allow any over-spray on the stone. To decipher very worn inscriptions, by using a mirror to redirect the sunlight you can create deeper shadows. You will be surprised what you can see with just a change in light angles. Then simply transcribe into writing what you have read. Once we understand the fragility of these monuments, it is easier to see the best and kindest method by far to preserve these fragile inscriptions for future generations is photography. It does nothing to compromise the stone, and it provides a complete record of the stone within its surroundings. Shoot when the light is at the greatest angle across the stone to create contrast. Try a roll of black and white film to simplify the visual elements. You will be surprised how much more detail often appears in finished (Glossy) photographs than was perceived by the naked eye. Use a magnifying glass or jeweler's loupe to view tiny details. I wish some of the magazine and newspaper articles that have advocated using things like shaving cream had been more carefully researched. I hope this has helped change us from mere capturers to conservators. By better understanding the nature of the material we can help preserve these markers for future generations. Barbara Dudley Washburn-Lienhard Woodside@Bicnet.net --------------------------------------- Terry (Phil 4:13) Teri (Ps 37:5) To God be the glory! Lancaster, OH http://www.greenapple.com/~pastor751 http://www.rootsweb.com/~mtwheatl/index.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnisanti/Isanti/ http://www.rootsweb.com/~cosanmig/ http://www.rootsweb.com/~comontro/index.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~codolore/index.html