FYI more headstone info from another list.. From: "Gail Meyer Kilgore" <gkilgore@primenet.com> Subject: [CO-CEMETERIES] Gravestone Pictures Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2000 23:40:29 -0700 The Association of Gravestone Studies recommends that nothing be used on stones but perhaps a spraying of plain water and - carefully - a soft brush. No chalk, no shaving cream, no toothpaste. Harmless as they are to humans, the chemicals can enter into minute fissures in the old stones and cause damage over time. To take pictures of the stones use a large mirror. Buy an inexpensive one about 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide from K Mart. You do need a helper for this, to hold the mirror to reflect light at an angle. Some of those soft white stones that are impossible to read come into sharp relief using this method. No matter the time of day. It even works on a lightly overcast day. Rubbing is prohibited in most of the old cemeteries.