I sometimes resort to grass or nearby weeds...if they are wet enough they produce the same result as chalk and are at least a 'natural' product. I don't know if this is any better than other products, but I agree to some extent that at some point the information needs to be recorded before it is lost forever... Kyle D. Conrad

I also use wet grass. Also, just a little dirt works good but my best results are with a digital camara. With my camara, which uses 3 1/2" disks, I can lighten or darken the picture to the best results. Works great for me. I've pretty much have all the stones from Hatfield cemetery in Allen county, Indiana readable on my hard drive now. Brian E. Smead Terre Haute, Indiana ----- Original Message ----- From: <KidClerk@aol.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2001 10:38 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Chalk > I sometimes resort to grass or nearby weeds...if they are wet enough they > produce the same result as chalk and are at least a 'natural' product. I > don't know if this is any better than other products, but I agree to some > extent that at some point the information needs to be recorded before it is > lost forever... > > Kyle D. Conrad > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > Blessed are the Elderly, for they remember what we will never know. > >

Jack, If you get the chance, try a black light. It works wonders. I picked up a small battery operated unit at a party store here in Atalnta and while it may not be the most powerfull light, I've had some great success with it. Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: Jb502000@aol.com To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 9:09 PM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Chalk Debby, I'll leave the chalk question to the Experts on the List. But I have had individuals also tell me the same thing about a wire brush, as silly as it sounds they want to justify what it does to the stone, buy saying they are recording the information before it is unreadable. You and I both know the least we do to be able to read a Stone is so much the better. I use a Mirror on a sunny day at a time when we can get the most reflected light diagonally from the mirror. This is usually between 12:00 and 1:00 EST . That is when the sun is at it's brightest just after it passes over the stone. This is what I do when I want to take a Picture. Or I take a Generator late in the day, run a cord out and use a 500 watt Halogen Bulb diagonally across the stone. Both methods work pretty well. This didn't answer your question about the chalk, but Bill Spurlock, or John Walters should be able to answer that. At least you are trying to do it right. Good Luck Jack E. Briles Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator Po Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585 Fax (812) 282-6585 ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== If you know of some good cemetery related links, send them to LoisMauk@usa.net.

I really can't tell you much about the use of Graphite as I've never attempted this and don't know of anyone that has. But as I recall AGS states on their website that this should not be used but does not go into any explination as to why. Sorry that I can't be more help. ----- Original Message ----- From: Cindy & Dale Frie To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 10:50 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Chalk I have been working along side a group of volunteers cleaning head stones. We have been using sidewalk chalk to read the stones. I have heard recommendation of using a carpenters/lumberman chalk. We have used something similar. A black graphite stick. Which looks like a black chalk. This substance is rubbed on gently, then spray with water and gently brush the stone. It gives a nice shadow effect enabling the person to read it a little easier. Have any of you listers used graphite before, if so what is your recommendation. And where would be a good place to purchase some in bulk? Cindy L (Skiles) Frie "SkiFri" ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== "Show me your cemeteries, and I will tell you what kind of people you have." Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

Hi Lois Plans for this fall! Rene and I visited three cemeteries in Floyd County on Saturday to check for needed maintenance of family graves. We found two stones that were broken since last year. We plan to repair those in the next couple of weeks. We also will do semi-annual maintenance at Little Flock as soon as we are sure the insects are done for the year. Also, will try to get permission to re-visit Hoke to see if we can work there. Then back to Owen and Clay Counties to start on a new project plus re-visit the cemetery that Jack and our group cleared last year. A real heavy couple of months if weather holds. Art Dillman >From: "Lois Mauk" <loismauk@home.com> >Reply-To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [INPCRP] What are your plans for FALL? >Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 21:29:37 -0400 > >We used to have monthly roll calls, asking everyone to update us on their >plans and achievments? We haven't done that in ages. > >What do you say we post messages to the group letting everyone know about >your Indiana cemetery work, whether it's finding them, cleaning them, >restoring them, etc., either what you've accomplished in the last six >months >or your goals for the coming six months. > >Lois > > > >==== 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 > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

I know you asked for Indiana updates, but I thought I would toss out my info anyway. I am from way up north, Berrien County, MI. The Berrien County Genealogical Society will be hosting its first County wide Cemetery Preservation workshop in March. We have around 100 cemeteries throughout the county, a lot of them are old ones, left standing on private land. We are still doing our research; lots of reading, locating the cemeteries and lots of prep work, we hope that by focusing on the whole county we will be able to get enough volunteers to make this dream come true. Our intent is to contact all the county, townships, churches, private organizations, youth groups, schools, historical organizations and civic groups. the list is growing by the minute. I know not to expect a great deal at the beginning, but we are focusing on at least a 5 year intro period. Cindy L (Skiles) Frie "SkiFri" ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris McHenry <cmchenry@seidata.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 01, 2001 8:01 AM Subject: Re: [INPCRP] What are your plans for FALL? > In Dearborn we plan to get our new Cemetery Commission formally organized, > and we think we'll be starting by finding out which of our cemeteries are > currently receiving care, and who is doing it (township, church, volunteers, > etc.) That way we'll have an idea of what needs to be done. Members of our > informal cemetery preservation committee are wandering the back roads with > their GPS devices recording cemeteries for DNR and several of us will be at > the October 6 workshop with lots of questions. Chris McHenry > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Lois Mauk" <loismauk@home.com> > To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 8:29 PM > Subject: [INPCRP] What are your plans for FALL? > > > > We used to have monthly roll calls, asking everyone to update us on their > > plans and achievments? We haven't done that in ages. > > > > What do you say we post messages to the group letting everyone know about > > your Indiana cemetery work, whether it's finding them, cleaning them, > > restoring them, etc., either what you've accomplished in the last six > months > > or your goals for the coming six months. > > > > Lois > > > > > > > > ==== 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. >

Please, Cindy, Don't use these products on stone. They are all detrimental to the health of the stone. Andi ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cindy & Dale Frie" <skifri@qtm.net> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 7:50 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Chalk > I have been working along side a group of volunteers cleaning head stones. We have been using sidewalk chalk to read the stones. > > I have heard recommendation of using a carpenters/lumberman chalk. We have used something similar. A black graphite stick. Which looks like a black chalk. This substance is rubbed on gently, then spray with water and gently brush the stone. It gives a nice shadow effect enabling the person to read it a little easier. > > Have any of you listers used graphite before, if so what is your recommendation. And where would be a good place to purchase some in bulk? > > Cindy L (Skiles) Frie > "SkiFri" > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > "Show me your cemeteries, and I will tell you what kind of people you have." > Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790) > >

In Dearborn we plan to get our new Cemetery Commission formally organized, and we think we'll be starting by finding out which of our cemeteries are currently receiving care, and who is doing it (township, church, volunteers, etc.) That way we'll have an idea of what needs to be done. Members of our informal cemetery preservation committee are wandering the back roads with their GPS devices recording cemeteries for DNR and several of us will be at the October 6 workshop with lots of questions. Chris McHenry ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lois Mauk" <loismauk@home.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 8:29 PM Subject: [INPCRP] What are your plans for FALL? > We used to have monthly roll calls, asking everyone to update us on their > plans and achievments? We haven't done that in ages. > > What do you say we post messages to the group letting everyone know about > your Indiana cemetery work, whether it's finding them, cleaning them, > restoring them, etc., either what you've accomplished in the last six months > or your goals for the coming six months. > > Lois > > > > ==== 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 > > >

I have been working along side a group of volunteers cleaning head stones. We have been using sidewalk chalk to read the stones. I have heard recommendation of using a carpenters/lumberman chalk. We have used something similar. A black graphite stick. Which looks like a black chalk. This substance is rubbed on gently, then spray with water and gently brush the stone. It gives a nice shadow effect enabling the person to read it a little easier. Have any of you listers used graphite before, if so what is your recommendation. And where would be a good place to purchase some in bulk? Cindy L (Skiles) Frie "SkiFri"

The issue of the use of chalk to bring out lettering on a stone can be a touchy one, sometimes just as much as the use of shaving cream. And just like shaving cream, there is a lot of just plain wrong information on the internet and in other resources. So before I said anything one way or the other, I did some research on the question to find out what true experts on the subject had to say, and followed up with some experiments to confirm. I figured that the best place to start was by contacting Crayola and asking them if they felt that the use of chalk on stones was safe for the stone itslef. Here's what they had to say: "Crayola sidewalk chalk contains plaster of paris which has a gritty texture. Plaster of paris is not considered to be biodegradable, nor are most of the pigments contained in Crayola sidewalk chalk. Also, product packaging warns of colorants that may stain. This could be a good factor depending on the exact nature of what you are trying to do. While packaging does warn of colorants that may stain, chalk used outside generally washes away because of extreme weather conditions and excessive rain. Again, this could vary depending on the surface it is applied to." If you look on their website, you can find the following additional information: "Molded chalk, such as Crayola Colored chalk, is a softer chalk, made of plaster of Paris, which is defined as quick-setting gypsum plaster consisting of a fine, white powder, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, which hardens when moistened and allowed to dry. Sidewalk chalk is much harder than regular chalk; in fact, will actually scratch a typical chalkboard." I decided to test that last statement out so I went out and bought 6 different brands of sidewalk chalk, and 4 brands of regular. I took them up to our Church where they had some old slate blackboards that they were no longer using and conduced a test. Sure enough, all 6 brands of sidewalk chalk left scratch marks on the board. As did 2 of the regular type chalks. From what I've seen, most people that use chalk tend to use the sidewalk type because it's much larger than regular. As mentioned above from the Crayola website, chalk is made from plaster of Paris. According to A Dictionary of Science, Oxford University Press, © Market House Books Ltd 1999, "The hemihydrate of calcium sulphate, 2CaSO4.H2O, prepared by heating the mineral gypsum. When ground to a fine powder and mixed with water, plaster of Paris sets hard, forming interlocking crystals of gypsum. The setting results in an increase in volume and so the plaster fits tightly into a mould. It is used in pottery making, as a cast for setting broken bones, and as a constituent of the plaster used in the building industry." So according to that statement, chalk if left on a stone could set and harden into something that could cause damage to the stone, by seaping into and filling up and expanding, anc causing the potential to crack or break the stone. William Spurlock Saving Graves http://www.savinggraves.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Debby Beheler To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 8:25 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Chalk I hope someone will enlighten us to the damage chalk causes. I am an advocate of using chalk to bring out the inscription, esp. when all else fails. It seems to me that if it is the only way to read the stone, at least we have preserved the information contained there when there may be no way to read it in a few years. I have been carrying a spray bottle of plain water with me to rinse the chalk off afterwards. I am, however, willing to listen to the reasons not to use chalk. Debby Beheler __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Listen to your Yahoo! Mail messages from any phone. http://phone.yahoo.com ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== If you know of some good cemetery related links, send them to LoisMauk@usa.net.

Dear group, I want to share the wonderful day I had today. I was invited to a 175th church anniversary in the next county. This church has the community cemetery right on their property. Some of the members have learned this year how to straighten the old stone and epoxy them together. They had a cemetery walk after the service today. Many members were dressed in period costumes representing their ancestors or the early founders. It was really heartwarming to see the members of this church take the time to honored the early founders and pioneers of their church and show the members that progress could be made with a little time and interest in the old stones. And save their history! Wonderful day! I'm happy to report our group has learned to reset stone in their own buried bases. It takes time to learn each step. But we are making progress. I feel good we have learned a few more steps. There are so many to work on and we hope to be able to set up a few workdays in at least 2 township next year and continue to teach some the basic. The link shows some of the progress we've made this year. And with some weather luck, we will still finish a few others this fall. http://communities.msn.com/Tippycems/shoebox.msnw?Page=1 All for now, L. A. Tippecanoe County Pioneer Cemeteries Group Coordinator See our cemeteries at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~intippec/tcem.html

Dear Susan: I'll be happy to take care of that for you. But, in the future, all you have to do is send the appropriate command: SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE to: INPCRP-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com or: INPCRP-D-REQUEST@rootsweb.com * I just unsubbed you from the -L- list. Lois ----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Barrett" <sbarrett@indy.net> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 9:38 PM Subject: Re: Re: [INPCRP] Video's > Lois, I need to unsubscribe to INPCRP while I am on vacation.To whom do I > send that? > Susan sbarrett@indy.net > -----Original Message----- > From: Lois Mauk <loismauk@home.com> > To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: Sunday, September 30, 2001 3:08 PM > Subject: Fw: Re: [INPCRP] Video's > > > > > >----- Original Message ----- > >From: "Andi MacDonald" <andimac@oz.net> > >To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com>; "WACemeteries" <wa-cemeteries-l@rootsweb.com>; > >"Grave-L" <Grave-L@yahoogroups.com> > >Cc: "Robinson, Jeanne" <ohca@integrity.com> > >Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 1:30 PM > >Subject: {not a subscriber} Re: [INPCRP] Video's > > > > > >> Hello all, > >> > >> Several months ago I purchased the video Cryptic Clues in the Boneyard by > >> Sharon Debartolo Carmack just because I know the presenter (I know of her > >> through the Association of Professional Genealogists, and from taking > >> several of her conference courses, and I highly respect her). Overall > the > >> video is very informative, however, I was bothered by several items in > the > >> video which are incorrect. One of which is chalk. Chalk is HARMFUL to > >> stone. Jeanne Robinson of Oregon Historic Cemetery Alliance has a paper > >> which explains in detail why. Another is the types of cemeteries. The > >> types she listed are not the same as those previously espoused by > cemetery > >> experts. There were a few other things in the video that bothered me but > >> I'd have to dig out my notes to be sure of what they are. > >> > >> This morning I saw an article on headstone cleaning by a writer who puts > >out > >> an e-zine on a variety of genealogical topics. This person is also a > >member > >> of Association for Professional Genealogists. When I read what she was > >> saying, I decided it was time to send an email to our APG-l maillist and > >> alert my associates there to sound cemetery/headstone conservation > >> techniques. Members of APG ascribe to sound genealogical standards just > >as > >> we cemeterians ascribe to sound conservation methods. I have already > >> received one response thanking me for specifying the things to NOT say as > >> well as the things TO say. > >> > >> The most valuable thing we can do as cemeterians is to ensure those who > >> present themselves as experts, truly are. Or, at the very least, we > >should > >> point out mistakes and ask that they be corrected (politely of course). > >> > >> More and more writers will be presenting articles on cemetery care, let's > >be > >> sure that as the information is released, it is correct. > >> > >> Andrea D. MacDonald "Andi" > >> andimac@oz.net > >> founder/president > >> Washington State Cemetery Association > >> http://www.rootsweb.com/~wapsgs/ > >> co-founder: Cemetery Conservation Alliance > >> member Association of Professional Genealogists > >> member Association for Gravestone Studies > >> > >> ----- Original Message ----- > >> From: "G Tielking" <tielking@knightstown.net> > >> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> > >> Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 7:25 PM > >> Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Video's > >> > >> > >> > I recently bought the tape and I enjoyed it. Since I am new at this > >> > "cemetery thing", I learned alot. > >> > Angela Tielking > >> > ----- Original Message ----- > >> > From: "William Spurlock" <wspurlock@savinggraves.com> > >> > To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> > >> > Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 8:14 AM > >> > Subject: [INPCRP] Video's > >> > > >> > > >> > > Have any of you had the chance to see the "Cryptic Clues In The > >> Boneyard" > >> > video put out by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack? It's more focused on the > >> aspects > >> > of researching in cemeteries, rather than repair and restoiration > >efforts > >> > but it gives a good idea of what can be done in the idea of a possible > >> video > >> > series. > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > >> > > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer > >> > > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. > >> > > >> > > >> > ==== 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 ==== > >Blessed are the Elderly, for they remember what we will never know. > > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > If we cannot respect the dead, how can we respect the living? > >

We used to have monthly roll calls, asking everyone to update us on their plans and achievments? We haven't done that in ages. What do you say we post messages to the group letting everyone know about your Indiana cemetery work, whether it's finding them, cleaning them, restoring them, etc., either what you've accomplished in the last six months or your goals for the coming six months. Lois

Thanks, Bud. I've added this to the In the News page. Lois ----- Original Message ----- From: "UEB" <ueb@iei.net> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 11:14 AM Subject: [INPCRP] Collins Cemetery > Here is something to change the subject....... http://www.thestarpress.com/Local_News/0927oldcemetery.html > It is about Center township, Delaware county and the township trustee Mr. Richard Shirey and his work on his cemeteries. > Mr. Shirey is a great asset to all of us trying to restore the old pioneer cemeteries. > > UEB > Henry County, IN > INPCRP

William, Well done and well said! Scott -----Original Message----- From: William Spurlock [mailto:wspurlock@savinggraves.com] Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 8:59 PM To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Chalk The issue of the use of chalk to bring out lettering on a stone can be a touchy one, sometimes just as much as the use of shaving cream. And just like shaving cream, there is a lot of just plain wrong information on the internet and in other resources. So before I said anything one way or the other, I did some research on the question to find out what true experts on the subject had to say, and followed up with some experiments to confirm. I figured that the best place to start was by contacting Crayola and asking them if they felt that the use of chalk on stones was safe for the stone itslef. Here's what they had to say: "Crayola sidewalk chalk contains plaster of paris which has a gritty texture. Plaster of paris is not considered to be biodegradable, nor are most of the pigments contained in Crayola sidewalk chalk. Also, product packaging warns of colorants that may stain. This could be a good factor depending on the exact nature of what you are trying to do. While packaging does warn of colorants that may stain, chalk used outside generally washes away because of extreme weather conditions and excessive rain. Again, this could vary depending on the surface it is applied to." If you look on their website, you can find the following additional information: "Molded chalk, such as Crayola Colored chalk, is a softer chalk, made of plaster of Paris, which is defined as quick-setting gypsum plaster consisting of a fine, white powder, calcium sulfate hemihydrate, which hardens when moistened and allowed to dry. Sidewalk chalk is much harder than regular chalk; in fact, will actually scratch a typical chalkboard." I decided to test that last statement out so I went out and bought 6 different brands of sidewalk chalk, and 4 brands of regular. I took them up to our Church where they had some old slate blackboards that they were no longer using and conduced a test. Sure enough, all 6 brands of sidewalk chalk left scratch marks on the board. As did 2 of the regular type chalks. >From what I've seen, most people that use chalk tend to use the sidewalk type because it's much larger than regular. As mentioned above from the Crayola website, chalk is made from plaster of Paris. According to A Dictionary of Science, Oxford University Press, © Market House Books Ltd 1999, "The hemihydrate of calcium sulphate, 2CaSO4.H2O, prepared by heating the mineral gypsum. When ground to a fine powder and mixed with water, plaster of Paris sets hard, forming interlocking crystals of gypsum. The setting results in an increase in volume and so the plaster fits tightly into a mould. It is used in pottery making, as a cast for setting broken bones, and as a constituent of the plaster used in the building industry." So according to that statement, chalk if left on a stone could set and harden into something that could cause damage to the stone, by seaping into and filling up and expanding, anc causing the potential to crack or break the stone. William Spurlock Saving Graves http://www.savinggraves.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Debby Beheler To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 8:25 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Chalk I hope someone will enlighten us to the damage chalk causes. I am an advocate of using chalk to bring out the inscription, esp. when all else fails. It seems to me that if it is the only way to read the stone, at least we have preserved the information contained there when there may be no way to read it in a few years. I have been carrying a spray bottle of plain water with me to rinse the chalk off afterwards. I am, however, willing to listen to the reasons not to use chalk. Debby Beheler __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Listen to your Yahoo! Mail messages from any phone. http://phone.yahoo.com ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== If you know of some good cemetery related links, send them to LoisMauk@usa.net. ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project only.

Over the past couple of years, I have relegated myself to the status of "lurker" as Lois calls us. But, on this occasion, I wanted to add a thought concerning the recent round of "in-fighting": The next time someone makes a comment that makes you a little hot under the collar, remember that we are all entitled to an opinion. And, be that opinion in-line with or opposed to our own, it is the right of each individual to have such an opinion that is one of the rights upon which our great country was founded. The diversity of opinions, faiths, and beliefs are the fabric that binds the United States of America. It is that same diversity that has made us the great land we are today. That diversity can be very clearly seen in the cemeteries we work so hard to preserve and protect. The next time you stand in YOUR favorite cemetery, stop and look around and think of the people that are memorialized therein. People from different faiths, different ethnicity, different walks of life that come together in a strange new place to work together, live together, and die together for the sake of what little they did have in common. Just like a nation, any organization, group, club, or corporation will thrive on diversity, provided that its members are prepared to accept it for what it is: "A view from a different angle". If we are to succeed, indeed if we are to survive as a group. We must be prepared to accept differing views while we assert our own beliefs. A difference of opinion should not make enemies of people. We should all be friends who, it just so happens, don't all think the same way. Your friend, Scott

Debby, I'll leave the chalk question to the Experts on the List. But I have had individuals also tell me the same thing about a wire brush, as silly as it sounds they want to justify what it does to the stone, buy saying they are recording the information before it is unreadable. You and I both know the least we do to be able to read a Stone is so much the better. I use a Mirror on a sunny day at a time when we can get the most reflected light diagonally from the mirror. This is usually between 12:00 and 1:00 EST . That is when the sun is at it's brightest just after it passes over the stone. This is what I do when I want to take a Picture. Or I take a Generator late in the day, run a cord out and use a 500 watt Halogen Bulb diagonally across the stone. Both methods work pretty well. This didn't answer your question about the chalk, but Bill Spurlock, or John Walters should be able to answer that. At least you are trying to do it right. Good Luck Jack E. Briles Sr. Floyd County PCRP Coordinator Po Box 444 New Albany, In. 47151-0444 (812) 282-6585 Fax (812) 282-6585

Lois, I need to unsubscribe to INPCRP while I am on vacation.To whom do I send that? Susan sbarrett@indy.net -----Original Message----- From: Lois Mauk <loismauk@home.com> To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, September 30, 2001 3:08 PM Subject: Fw: Re: [INPCRP] Video's > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Andi MacDonald" <andimac@oz.net> >To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com>; "WACemeteries" <wa-cemeteries-l@rootsweb.com>; >"Grave-L" <Grave-L@yahoogroups.com> >Cc: "Robinson, Jeanne" <ohca@integrity.com> >Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 1:30 PM >Subject: {not a subscriber} Re: [INPCRP] Video's > > >> Hello all, >> >> Several months ago I purchased the video Cryptic Clues in the Boneyard by >> Sharon Debartolo Carmack just because I know the presenter (I know of her >> through the Association of Professional Genealogists, and from taking >> several of her conference courses, and I highly respect her). Overall the >> video is very informative, however, I was bothered by several items in the >> video which are incorrect. One of which is chalk. Chalk is HARMFUL to >> stone. Jeanne Robinson of Oregon Historic Cemetery Alliance has a paper >> which explains in detail why. Another is the types of cemeteries. The >> types she listed are not the same as those previously espoused by cemetery >> experts. There were a few other things in the video that bothered me but >> I'd have to dig out my notes to be sure of what they are. >> >> This morning I saw an article on headstone cleaning by a writer who puts >out >> an e-zine on a variety of genealogical topics. This person is also a >member >> of Association for Professional Genealogists. When I read what she was >> saying, I decided it was time to send an email to our APG-l maillist and >> alert my associates there to sound cemetery/headstone conservation >> techniques. Members of APG ascribe to sound genealogical standards just >as >> we cemeterians ascribe to sound conservation methods. I have already >> received one response thanking me for specifying the things to NOT say as >> well as the things TO say. >> >> The most valuable thing we can do as cemeterians is to ensure those who >> present themselves as experts, truly are. Or, at the very least, we >should >> point out mistakes and ask that they be corrected (politely of course). >> >> More and more writers will be presenting articles on cemetery care, let's >be >> sure that as the information is released, it is correct. >> >> Andrea D. MacDonald "Andi" >> andimac@oz.net >> founder/president >> Washington State Cemetery Association >> http://www.rootsweb.com/~wapsgs/ >> co-founder: Cemetery Conservation Alliance >> member Association of Professional Genealogists >> member Association for Gravestone Studies >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "G Tielking" <tielking@knightstown.net> >> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> >> Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 7:25 PM >> Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Video's >> >> >> > I recently bought the tape and I enjoyed it. Since I am new at this >> > "cemetery thing", I learned alot. >> > Angela Tielking >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: "William Spurlock" <wspurlock@savinggraves.com> >> > To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> >> > Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 8:14 AM >> > Subject: [INPCRP] Video's >> > >> > >> > > Have any of you had the chance to see the "Cryptic Clues In The >> Boneyard" >> > video put out by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack? It's more focused on the >> aspects >> > of researching in cemeteries, rather than repair and restoiration >efforts >> > but it gives a good idea of what can be done in the idea of a possible >> video >> > series. >> > > >> > > >> > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== >> > > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer >> > > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. >> > >> > >> > ==== 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 ==== >Blessed are the Elderly, for they remember what we will never know. >

Hello all, I have asked the expert on chalk to develop a response for your question. Chalk is thought to be okay for stones but it is not. I will forward you all the response when I get it. Andi ----- Original Message ----- From: "Debby Beheler" <d001b@yahoo.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 5:25 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Chalk > I hope someone will enlighten us to the damage chalk > causes. I am an advocate of using chalk to bring out > the inscription, esp. when all else fails. It seems > to me that if it is the only way to read the stone, at > least we have preserved the information contained > there when there may be no way to read it in a few > years. I have been carrying a spray bottle of plain > water with me to rinse the chalk off afterwards. I > am, however, willing to listen to the reasons not to > use chalk. > > Debby Beheler > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Listen to your Yahoo! Mail messages from any phone. > http://phone.yahoo.com > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > If you know of some good cemetery related links, send them to LoisMauk@usa.net. > >

I've been in contact with Sharon Debartolo Carmack regarding the use of chalk as mentioned in the video and while it's too late to do anything for the video, she is changing her position for a forthcoming boook on cemetery research that should be out shortly. She is for the most part reprinting the position statement that I have on Saving Graves. She sent me the revised wording that will be included in the book and I saw no problems with it at all. I got the impression from talking with her that no one had pointed out to her the damage that chalk can cause so she was not aware and was going by what others had reccomended to her in the past. I did not get into the issues of cemetery types as I've seen several different groupings and to be honest, I'm not really sure which one is the correct one...or for that mater if any one really is. William Spurlock Saving Graves http://www.savinggraves.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Lois Mauk To: INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 4:11 PM Subject: Fw: Re: [INPCRP] Video's ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andi MacDonald" <andimac@oz.net> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com>; "WACemeteries" <wa-cemeteries-l@rootsweb.com>; "Grave-L" <Grave-L@yahoogroups.com> Cc: "Robinson, Jeanne" <ohca@integrity.com> Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2001 1:30 PM Subject: {not a subscriber} Re: [INPCRP] Video's > Hello all, > > Several months ago I purchased the video Cryptic Clues in the Boneyard by > Sharon Debartolo Carmack just because I know the presenter (I know of her > through the Association of Professional Genealogists, and from taking > several of her conference courses, and I highly respect her). Overall the > video is very informative, however, I was bothered by several items in the > video which are incorrect. One of which is chalk. Chalk is HARMFUL to > stone. Jeanne Robinson of Oregon Historic Cemetery Alliance has a paper > which explains in detail why. Another is the types of cemeteries. The > types she listed are not the same as those previously espoused by cemetery > experts. There were a few other things in the video that bothered me but > I'd have to dig out my notes to be sure of what they are. > > This morning I saw an article on headstone cleaning by a writer who puts out > an e-zine on a variety of genealogical topics. This person is also a member > of Association for Professional Genealogists. When I read what she was > saying, I decided it was time to send an email to our APG-l maillist and > alert my associates there to sound cemetery/headstone conservation > techniques. Members of APG ascribe to sound genealogical standards just as > we cemeterians ascribe to sound conservation methods. I have already > received one response thanking me for specifying the things to NOT say as > well as the things TO say. > > The most valuable thing we can do as cemeterians is to ensure those who > present themselves as experts, truly are. Or, at the very least, we should > point out mistakes and ask that they be corrected (politely of course). > > More and more writers will be presenting articles on cemetery care, let's be > sure that as the information is released, it is correct. > > Andrea D. MacDonald "Andi" > andimac@oz.net > founder/president > Washington State Cemetery Association > http://www.rootsweb.com/~wapsgs/ > co-founder: Cemetery Conservation Alliance > member Association of Professional Genealogists > member Association for Gravestone Studies > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "G Tielking" <tielking@knightstown.net> > To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 7:25 PM > Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Video's > > > > I recently bought the tape and I enjoyed it. Since I am new at this > > "cemetery thing", I learned alot. > > Angela Tielking > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "William Spurlock" <wspurlock@savinggraves.com> > > To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 8:14 AM > > Subject: [INPCRP] Video's > > > > > > > Have any of you had the chance to see the "Cryptic Clues In The > Boneyard" > > video put out by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack? It's more focused on the > aspects > > of researching in cemeteries, rather than repair and restoiration efforts > > but it gives a good idea of what can be done in the idea of a possible > video > > series. > > > > > > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > > > This list is for discussion of topics related to the Indiana Pioneer > > > Cemeteries Restoration Project only. > > > > > > ==== 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 ==== Blessed are the Elderly, for they remember what we will never know.