I am speaking at the Township Trustees Annual Meeting next week about cemeteries. One document that I want to put together is a list of contacts and resources by county. If you would be willing to be listed as a contact for your county, please let me know. Also, any contacts you think would be helpful for Township Trustees to have, please let me know that also. PLEASE, email me personally. That way we do not clog up the system with "here's my name." When I have this completed, I will forward a copy to the list for everyone to have as a reference. Thank you Jeannie Regan-Dinius Cemetery Registry Coordinator Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology 317/232-1646 317/232-0693 (fax) 402 W. Washington Street RM W274 Indianapolis, IN 46204

You wrote, >I'm truly surprised that an entity would go after a cemetery for payment of >a tax or an assessment, especially in Indiana! They have all you guys to >contend with, and that would make it pretty unbearable :-) > >Andi Andi and group, I met with a regretful county official today who says that is exactly what happened. The cemetery was part of a church property. When the denomination legally dropped the former congregation, the building and grounds became taxable in the eyes of the county. The church building was the smaller portion of the property. I was told the county officials "hated to do it" but they "had no choice." I think they might have taken the action to except the cemetery out, but they did not. I learned today that the new owner wanted to log some mature trees on the back of the property. These trees were not in the old cemetery, and their sale probably paid for his investment in the property (back taxes.) His logging, bull-dozing, razing, and home building, happened before July 2000. I'm not sure what my next course of action is. The county is aware that the owner may now not build within 100 feet of the cemetery. Given that his property is about 264 feet square, the majority of which is cemetery, he probably can't even put up a garage. I'm wondering if he can put in a garden. (: Sharon Mills

I would like to thank each and everyone of you who took the time to offer advice on our problem up here in Berrien County. Especially given the fact that this list was designed for Indiana Preservation. The few of us who are working on this vast problem are mulling over all the responses and combing Michigan Laws looking for a glimmer of hope. The Indiana Cemetery Preservation Group is a wonderful leader, I commend you all for what you have done. You should all be very proud to be a part of it. After looking thought Michigan Laws I am not seeing much hope for our cause, but we will not give up. I did find a website that consists of a chat room that was started up by for the purpose of generating interest in Michigan, it was started up this spring. Between these two lists I am sure we will be able to continue to move forward and hopefully get the incentive state wide. Thanks again folks for all your support. I may be calling on you again sometime in the future. Cindy L (Skiles) Frie "SkiFri"

In a message dated 11/6/01 11:22:08 AM US Eastern Standard Time, clugh_la@email.msn.com writes: > Please advise as to how you would handle this stone. It is a new one for > me. The pieces are only > about 1 inch think. Probably sandstone. > > L. A. Clugh > Tippecanoe Co. > > LA, You wont follow this, but it is the way I would do it. If you feel there is absolutely no way anymore will be found (After Probing a large > area in all directions) It Might be OK to do that. But it should be poured > in a Frame with a bottom. If it is Tan Sandstone, then I would do the > following if you really want to save the information. If the stone is about > 1 inch thick, then Figure out the total depth you want to make it (No need > to make the Box deeper, or larger than necessary) but big enough to have > about 1 inch along edge of stone, then mix some good Fast setting concrete > mix, Or regular premix concrete with extra Portland cement added to make it > stronger, add a little Tan Mortar Color to sort of match the stone color > (It will be darker while wet) but don't use to much, just make the cement > just a little Tan in color. The box should be about 2 1/2 inches deep. Mix > cement until it looks wet enough that the stone can be placed in it without > settling into the cement (Also you don't want to get it to dry so it wont > hold the stone) pour cement in the Box, level it off then remove what ever > you think the stone will displace. If to much take some out, if to little, > add some. If you use a wheelbarrow keep cement mixed while using it. Use a Trowel very carefully and remove excess cement, and smooth out. > minimum of 7 days, then remove from box. If you can, leave about 5 > inches of cement below stone pieces at bottom and set directly in the > ground like a Civil war Vets stone is set. This sounds like a lot of work, > it really isn't. As Ernie said earlier, a Stone is better if it is > vertical. Also anytime you pour cement, use liquid soap to coat the form > Lightly, this makes the cement release. Around here there are a Lot of old > concrete Markers. And they used the old Type cement. If you were closer I > would do it for you. OK, You Asked, I answered! NEXT, > Jack E. Briles, Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator PO Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585

Jack, I had not realized you had such experience in the masonry business. What an asset you are to this group! I've been lurking here in Franklin County since we completed our Ottwell Cemetery restoration, but I still try to keep up with what is going on with all of you who are more active. Maybe your enthusiasm will rub off and we can get ourselves motivated to start our next project! Thanks for all the valuable info. Ruth Cox Schlemmer SE Indiana ----- Original Message ----- From: <Jb502000@aol.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 10:30 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Preservation > In a message dated 11/5/01 11:24:22 PM US Eastern Standard Time, > elasley@sigecom.net writes: > > > > If you pour concrete around it, and seal the stone, moisture within > > the stone will cause it to deteriorate more rapidly, and moisture trapped > > in the stone will cause the stone to break up during freezing weather. It > > looks good for a year or two, but in the long term will cause irreversible > > damage. That's why we use Mastico epoxy to put pieces back together, > > make new bases if the old one is gone, and allow the stone to freestand > > where it can shed moisture naturally. > > > > > Ernie, > You're 100% correct about not encasing the face and sides of the tombstones. > I have worked with stone in the Masonry Business over 40 years, and I was > taught that stone must be able to radiate the moisture outward as best it > can. It will take the line of least resistance. If you Encase it, you are > trapping the upward radiation of the moisture, being drawn by the sun. > Moisture absorbed from the bottom side will be captured where it will freeze > and the Stone will begin to flake off, ruining the top surface, this being > the face. This will normally begin in 3-4 years, depending on the severity of > the weather. After 10 or possibly 15 years the stone will have a crumbling > appearance. It cannot be picked up at this point. I heard this years before > Gravestone Studies was ever heard of. > Also there is something most people haven't thought about. If you have a > broken stone and epoxy it back, the moisture radiating upward from the bottom > will only go from the base in the ground to the Epoxy, which forms a cap > stopping the water at that point. From there it must exit thru the sides. All > water absorbed above the Epoxy will dissipate faster then that below, giving > the stone a damp look below and a drier, different look on the top piece. If > there are multi pieces they will dry at their own pace, depending on how much > water they are able to absorb. As to the concrete around the stone, that part > is not to serious, although I WOULD NEVER DO IT. > As far as concrete, then sealing, that looks good, but be sure there are > Photographs of the stone. They will outlive it. I have seen 2 stones that > were done that way in Harrison County. I don't know how long this has been > done, but they are disintegrating. Some of you may have seen the face pop off > of Brick, this is caused by excessive amounts of water being trapped, and > then repeated freezing over a period of time. The water collects in the Brick > and they cannot dry fast enough and the freezing causes "Spalling" this also > can happen with water trapped in stone. If anyone doesn't believe this, check > with your local supplier. Good Luck. This is my Opinion, and My Experience. > > Jack E. Briles, Sr. > Floyd County PCRP Coordinator > PO Box 444 > New Albany, In. 47151-0444 > (812) 282-6585 > > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > Cemetery: (n) A marble orchard not to be taken for granite. >

Jack, Ernie and list. I will soon have the pieces of a stone that is missing most information and large pieces. These pieces were removed and collected a few years ago when a neighborhood was doing restoration work. This is a huge puzzle that dose not all fit together well. There have been bulldozers through out the area since then and they fell there is no way they will collect any more of this stone. We though the way to keep this stone in tack would be to set it into a cement box. Laying the pieces into cement and then placing it in the grave area as a blanket. There is not enough information to reproduce this stone. We know the first name and a few bits. Please advise as to how you would handle this stone. It is a new one for me. The pieces are only about 1 inch think. Probably sandstone. L. A. Clugh Tippecanoe Co.

In a message dated 11/5/01 11:24:22 PM US Eastern Standard Time, elasley@sigecom.net writes: > If you pour concrete around it, and seal the stone, moisture within > the stone will cause it to deteriorate more rapidly, and moisture trapped > in the stone will cause the stone to break up during freezing weather. It > looks good for a year or two, but in the long term will cause irreversible > damage. That's why we use Mastico epoxy to put pieces back together, > make new bases if the old one is gone, and allow the stone to freestand > where it can shed moisture naturally. > > Ernie, You're 100% correct about not encasing the face and sides of the tombstones. I have worked with stone in the Masonry Business over 40 years, and I was taught that stone must be able to radiate the moisture outward as best it can. It will take the line of least resistance. If you Encase it, you are trapping the upward radiation of the moisture, being drawn by the sun. Moisture absorbed from the bottom side will be captured where it will freeze and the Stone will begin to flake off, ruining the top surface, this being the face. This will normally begin in 3-4 years, depending on the severity of the weather. After 10 or possibly 15 years the stone will have a crumbling appearance. It cannot be picked up at this point. I heard this years before Gravestone Studies was ever heard of. Also there is something most people haven't thought about. If you have a broken stone and epoxy it back, the moisture radiating upward from the bottom will only go from the base in the ground to the Epoxy, which forms a cap stopping the water at that point. From there it must exit thru the sides. All water absorbed above the Epoxy will dissipate faster then that below, giving the stone a damp look below and a drier, different look on the top piece. If there are multi pieces they will dry at their own pace, depending on how much water they are able to absorb. As to the concrete around the stone, that part is not to serious, although I WOULD NEVER DO IT. As far as concrete, then sealing, that looks good, but be sure there are Photographs of the stone. They will outlive it. I have seen 2 stones that were done that way in Harrison County. I don't know how long this has been done, but they are disintegrating. Some of you may have seen the face pop off of Brick, this is caused by excessive amounts of water being trapped, and then repeated freezing over a period of time. The water collects in the Brick and they cannot dry fast enough and the freezing causes "Spalling" this also can happen with water trapped in stone. If anyone doesn't believe this, check with your local supplier. Good Luck. This is my Opinion, and My Experience. Jack E. Briles, Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator PO Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585

thanks ----- Original Message ----- From: Pride1jw@aol.com To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 7:13 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Preservation We just received our quart...with hardener.....$35.00 shipped from Baltimore to Wheatland ,In......What John Walters uses and recommends......Tel. 410-752-4832 is the tel. #... Hilgartner Natural Stone Co., Inc. ,101 West Cross St. Baltimore, Md. 21230-3605............was shipped out the next day with credit card number. Ruth P. ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== THIS IS A CEMETERY ----- "Lives are commemorated - deaths are recorded - families are reunited - memories are made tangible - and love is undisguised. This is a cemetery. "Communities accord respect, families bestow reverence, historians seek information and our heritage is thereby enriched. "Testimonies of devotion, pride and remembrance are carved in stone to pay warm tribute to accomplishments and to the life - not the death - of a loved one. The cemetery is homeland for family memorials that are a sustaining source of comfort to the living. "A cemetery is a history of people - a perpetual record of yesterday and sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always." --Author unknown -- Seen at a monument dealer in West Union, IA

We just received our quart...with hardener.....$35.00 shipped from Baltimore to Wheatland ,In......What John Walters uses and recommends......Tel. 410-752-4832 is the tel. #... Hilgartner Natural Stone Co., Inc. ,101 West Cross St. Baltimore, Md. 21230-3605............was shipped out the next day with credit card number. Ruth P.

Subject: Preservation I received this from another list. What do you think? Jodi It is said there is nothing new under the sun, but I saw something yesterday, though it may not be new, it is certainly new to me. I'll try to describe it for you. While walking through an old cemetery here in Harvey County, KS, I ran across five headstones, broken from their bases. The people who are keeping the cemetery, in very good condition I might add, have built wooden forms the thickness of the various broken stones, laid the stones flat at the head of the grave with the wooden forms around them (with about a 6 inch space all around the stones) and poured concrete into the forms flush with the face of the stones. The stones appear to have been cleaned with mild detergent and a brush. Once dried, it appears that they have poured a coating of either automotive clear coat, or the hard acrylic clear coating found in hobby shops. The end result is a stone too heavy to steal, a coating to protect the face of the stone and the preservation of information for years to come. This may not be new, but it is novel and certainly crucial to genealogy researchers in the years to come. Just thought I would share this with the list, in hopes that it will generate some protection across the nation for the many broken or damaged stones. I might add, that the ones that were in two or three or more pieces, were put together and once coated, all you see are the break lines but they can't be moved.

What is Mastico epoxy? Is it easily purchased? expensive? Marge in MI ----- Original Message ----- From: Ernie & Connie To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 10:21 PM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Preservation Jodi, The Association for Gravestone Studies tells us this is not a good idea. If you pour concrete around it, and seal the stone, moisture within the stone will cause it to deterioriate more rapidly, and moisture trapped in the stone will cause the stone to break up during freezing weather. It looks good for a year or two, but in the long term will cause irreversable damage. That's why we use Mastico epoxy to put pieces back together, make new bases if the old one is gone, and allow the stone to freestand where it can shed moisture naturally. Ernie At 08:21 PM 11/5/01, you wrote: >I received this from another list. What do you think? > >Jodi > > > It is said there is nothing new under the sun, but I saw something > yesterday, though it may not be new, it > is certainly new to me. I'll try to describe it for you. > While walking through an old cemetery here in Harvey > County, KS, I ran across five headstones, broken from their bases. > The people who are keeping the cemetery, in very good condition > I might add, have built wooden forms the thickness of the > various broken stones, laid the stones flat at the head of the > grave with the wooden forms around them (with about a 6 > inch space all around the stones) and poured concrete into the > forms flush with the face of the stones. > The stones appear to have been cleaned with mild detergent and a brush. > Once dried, it appears that they have poured a coating of > either automotive clear coat, or the hard acrylic > clear coating found in hobby shops. > The end result is a stone too heavy to steal, a coating to protect the > face of the stone and the preservation of information for years to come. > > This may not be new, but it is novel and certainly crucial to > genealogy researchers in the years to come. > Just thought I would share this with the list, in hopes that it will > generate some protection across the nation for the many > broken or damaged stones. I might add, that the ones > that were in two or three or more pieces, were put together and > once coated, all you see are the break lines but they can't be moved. > > > >==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== >To UNSUBSCRIBE, send message consisting only of >"UNSUBSCRIBE" to INPCRP-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com > or to INPCRP-D-REQUEST@rootsweb.com (for DIGEST version) ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project only.

That sounds like a great idea. One question, are the finished stones standing upright now or are they still in the wooden form? I wished we'd heard of this a few months ago, we could have used in on several headstones. Marge from Michigan ----- Original Message ----- From: sirbeau To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 8:21 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Preservation I received this from another list. What do you think? Jodi It is said there is nothing new under the sun, but I saw something yesterday, though it may not be new, it is certainly new to me. I'll try to describe it for you. While walking through an old cemetery here in Harvey County, KS, I ran across five headstones, broken from their bases. The people who are keeping the cemetery, in very good condition I might add, have built wooden forms the thickness of the various broken stones, laid the stones flat at the head of the grave with the wooden forms around them (with about a 6 inch space all around the stones) and poured concrete into the forms flush with the face of the stones. The stones appear to have been cleaned with mild detergent and a brush. Once dried, it appears that they have poured a coating of either automotive clear coat, or the hard acrylic clear coating found in hobby shops. The end result is a stone too heavy to steal, a coating to protect the face of the stone and the preservation of information for years to come. This may not be new, but it is novel and certainly crucial to genealogy researchers in the years to come. Just thought I would share this with the list, in hopes that it will generate some protection across the nation for the many broken or damaged stones. I might add, that the ones that were in two or three or more pieces, were put together and once coated, all you see are the break lines but they can't be moved. ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== To UNSUBSCRIBE, send message consisting only of "UNSUBSCRIBE" to INPCRP-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com or to INPCRP-D-REQUEST@rootsweb.com (for DIGEST version)

Mike, Thanks again for the info. The Cat Scan results came back today. He has a small lump in the upper lobe of his lung. The doctor believes it is 99% benign, but he wants a biopsy of it to make sure because it is not calcified. If Greg was a smoker, he would be concerned. He said that most lung lumps are benign if the person is a non-smoker. But Greg's family are all smokers and he has been exposed to second-hand smoke all his life. And cancer runs in his family. So we will see. The doctor asked if he was hit in the chest anytime recently. The answer was no. And if he had been exposed to anyone with TB. The answer was no. So they did a TB test on him anyway. We should hopefully get in with a specialist sometime this week. We are to hear from the doctor's office tomorrow to see who with and what time. I will keep you updated. Thank you for your concern. You are very nice. Take care! Angela ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sue Silver" <ssilver1951@jps.net> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 9:07 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] We have run into a snag! > Cindy, > > Check your statutes to see if you have one that states that property is > either owned by individuals or by the people. In California, our statute > says that when title to property fails for want of a legal heir or next of > kin, the property "reverts to the people." Here that means to the state via > it's inferior subdivisions, the counties. > > This statute is within our "Government Code" and Michigan probably has > something similar that helps to govern the actions of the "people" - the > government. > > Let me know what you find. > > Sue Silver > ssilver1951@jps.net > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Cindy & Dale Frie" <skifri@qtm.net> > To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2001 6:24 PM > Subject: [INPCRP] We have run into a snag! > > > > Hello everyone I sure hope someone can offer some advice here! I know I > am > > asking about Michigan laws but I'm hoping some one some where can help. > > > > Since March we have been working along side a group of volunteers in one > of > > the "township" owned cemeteries in Berrien County. We have been cutting > down > > old trees and bushes that were taking over "the headstones". As well as > > repairing broken stones and cleaning them, and we are still repairing > > headstones. > > > > The cemetery we have been cleaning is actually two cemeteries. One > consists > > of a 1/2 acre, that became a cemetery in 1907 that is owned by the > township. > > The other cemetery is an acre which was started on or before 1854. The two > > cemeteries are divided by a row of 3 maple trees. Since there is not other > > physical boundary between these cemeteries they appear to be one. > > > > There have been burials in the acre cemetery as late as 1996 if not 1999, > > under the jurisdiction of the township. > > > > The acre cemetery was deeded by the land owner to about 10 men for the sum > > of $1.. According to a local history book (which by the way was written by > a > > local judge) the land was deeded to the settlement of Bainbridge. > > > > About a month ago the township decided since there is no legal document > > stating the land was turned over to the township the acre cemetery is in > > fact not owned by the township and therefore will stop taking care of it! > > > > Does anyone on this list know of any Michigan Cemetery Law that can hold > the > > township responsible for the upkeep of the acre cemetery? > > > > Cindy L (Skiles) Frie > > "SkiFri" > > > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > > THIS IS A CEMETERY ----- > > "Lives are commemorated - deaths are recorded - families > > are reunited - memories are made tangible - and love is > > undisguised. This is a cemetery. > > "Communities accord respect, families bestow reverence, > > historians seek information and our heritage is thereby enriched. > > "Testimonies of devotion, pride and remembrance are carved > > in stone to pay warm tribute to accomplishments and to the life - > > not the death - of a loved one. The cemetery is homeland for family > > memorials that are a sustaining source of comfort to the living. > > "A cemetery is a history of people - a perpetual record of > > yesterday and sanctuary of peace and quiet today. A cemetery > > exists because every life is worth loving and remembering - always." > > --Author unknown -- Seen at a monument dealer in West Union, IA > > > > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > Blessed are the Elderly, for they remember what we will never know.

In a message dated 11/5/01 10:31:06 PM US Eastern Standard Time, Pride1jw@aol.com writes: > I can't > for the life of me figure what went on in the heads of some of our > ancestors > for not watching graveyards better than they did.........Ruth Pride > Wheatland > > > > Ruth, The Union Chapel Church in Harrison County where some of my ancestors are buried, volunteers still dig the graves. Not with a shovel anymore, they use a Backhoe, but a neighbor has one and 5 or 6 men will show up and they come ready to get the job done. FREE. There is a burial fee for future maintenance. We must remember from the 30's to the 50's people felt they had more to worry about. They meant well, but it's like the field stone markers, things happen. Jack E. Briles, Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator PO Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585

My husband and I attended the workshop at Madison and Trustee Tom Cannon gave a presentation...we were impressed and believe we could all use trustees as interested in preserving pioneer cemeteries as he is.........All day I have thought of how many of our civil/rev. war soldiers lie buried in unmarked graves in the state, either without stones or broken and stacked...(a term we all have become familiar with).. without a clue as to where they are actually buried ... and as Veterans Day approaches probably doesn't remotely enter the minds of non cemetery preservations.........and the older I get, I can't for the life of me figure what went on in the heads of some of our ancestors for not watching graveyards better than they did.........Ruth Pride Wheatland

Jodi, The Association for Gravestone Studies tells us this is not a good idea. If you pour concrete around it, and seal the stone, moisture within the stone will cause it to deterioriate more rapidly, and moisture trapped in the stone will cause the stone to break up during freezing weather. It looks good for a year or two, but in the long term will cause irreversable damage. That's why we use Mastico epoxy to put pieces back together, make new bases if the old one is gone, and allow the stone to freestand where it can shed moisture naturally. Ernie At 08:21 PM 11/5/01, you wrote: >I received this from another list. What do you think? > >Jodi > > > It is said there is nothing new under the sun, but I saw something > yesterday, though it may not be new, it > is certainly new to me. I'll try to describe it for you. > While walking through an old cemetery here in Harvey > County, KS, I ran across five headstones, broken from their bases. > The people who are keeping the cemetery, in very good condition > I might add, have built wooden forms the thickness of the > various broken stones, laid the stones flat at the head of the > grave with the wooden forms around them (with about a 6 > inch space all around the stones) and poured concrete into the > forms flush with the face of the stones. > The stones appear to have been cleaned with mild detergent and a brush. > Once dried, it appears that they have poured a coating of > either automotive clear coat, or the hard acrylic > clear coating found in hobby shops. > The end result is a stone too heavy to steal, a coating to protect the > face of the stone and the preservation of information for years to come. > > This may not be new, but it is novel and certainly crucial to > genealogy researchers in the years to come. > Just thought I would share this with the list, in hopes that it will > generate some protection across the nation for the many > broken or damaged stones. I might add, that the ones > that were in two or three or more pieces, were put together and > once coated, all you see are the break lines but they can't be moved. > > > >==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== >To UNSUBSCRIBE, send message consisting only of >"UNSUBSCRIBE" to INPCRP-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com > or to INPCRP-D-REQUEST@rootsweb.com (for DIGEST version)

In a message dated 11/5/01 9:00:55 PM US Eastern Standard Time, sianoil@hotmail.com writes: > Hey, hasn't the weather been wonderful the last few days! Only 50 shopping > days left. > > Jon, I assume you mean to buy Pruners, Shovels, and Epoxy for Christmas for all of your friends to help with your Projects? (If I buy only for my Friends I won't have to buy anything) Jack E. Briles, Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator PO Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585

In a message dated 11/5/01 6:59:12 PM US Eastern Standard Time, NTFCANNON@aol.com writes: > From: NTFCANNON@aol.com > Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com">INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com</A> > To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com > > > > > Jon, Your right, I did ignore your point. I was told from the get-go our > INPCRP sometimes thrash out at elected officials. As a registered voter I > beg > you. Please do not try to prosecute our Township Trustees. Here in Floyd > County they are somewhat respected, over worked and use penitence salaries > to > purchase office supplies, pay long distance bills, or, even someone in > their > communities past due utility bill. I can testify that all of the Trustees > in > our county have given money right out of their families bank accounts to > more > desperate people in desperate situations. > Including establishing alternative programs to care for their more visible > unowned cemeteries. > Internal investigations would only smear the progress we are making. As we > continue to educate these Twp. Officials we are changing history and I for > one am proud to be a part of these changes. Our friends in Michigan seem > to > realize they have an uphill climb just as we do. But we are a lot further > along than they seem to be. > Thank you for your response. > > > I am in complete agreement with Tom, NTFCANNON@aol.com, Some Township Trustees have a ways to go, but as he says, in Floyd County Indiana we are making great strides and I see nothing but GOOD coming out of the Learning process we are all are going thru. I raised Hell because the Trustees, Auditors, Assessors, Zoning Boards, County Commissioners or anyone else did not actually know just exactly how our laws are supposed to work, or even knew about them. They have since received copies of the new Laws thru Jeannie at DNR. They all supposedly have finally been notified. Temporarily Now if we all work together, hopefully some real good can come of all of this unsightly mess of contradictory Laws we have had, and still have to contend with. We know also that all Trustees in Indiana have not in the past worked in an acceptable manner, but I think in Indiana they are now learning the Do's and Don'ts. Remember, their only Job, as Tom said is not just dealing with Cemeteries, there is a steady stream of Living People with problems in their office every day. In all honesty I have not been able to follow this Discussion, but I'll keep trying. The INPCRP has one goal in mind above all else, Preserve our History thru our Pioneer cemeteries. And I think we all are doing a Damn good Job. Peace, Jack E. Briles, Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator PO Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585

In a message dated 11/5/01 5:30:08 PM US Eastern Standard Time, sianoil@hotmail.com writes: > Subj:Re: [INPCRP] We have run into a snag! > Date:11/5/01 5:30:08 PM US Eastern Standard Time > From: sianoil@hotmail.com (jon andrews) > Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com">INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com</A> > To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com > > > > > I would say you missed the point! > > > Jon, I guess I missed it to, Just what exactly is the Point? Jack E. Briles, Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator PO Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585

I received this from another list. What do you think? Jodi It is said there is nothing new under the sun, but I saw something yesterday, though it may not be new, it is certainly new to me. I'll try to describe it for you. While walking through an old cemetery here in Harvey County, KS, I ran across five headstones, broken from their bases. The people who are keeping the cemetery, in very good condition I might add, have built wooden forms the thickness of the various broken stones, laid the stones flat at the head of the grave with the wooden forms around them (with about a 6 inch space all around the stones) and poured concrete into the forms flush with the face of the stones. The stones appear to have been cleaned with mild detergent and a brush. Once dried, it appears that they have poured a coating of either automotive clear coat, or the hard acrylic clear coating found in hobby shops. The end result is a stone too heavy to steal, a coating to protect the face of the stone and the preservation of information for years to come. This may not be new, but it is novel and certainly crucial to genealogy researchers in the years to come. Just thought I would share this with the list, in hopes that it will generate some protection across the nation for the many broken or damaged stones. I might add, that the ones that were in two or three or more pieces, were put together and once coated, all you see are the break lines but they can't be moved.