In a message dated 10/10/2004 7:33:30 AM Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > So if the stones remain personal property of the family do we have to get > permission from the trustees, or owner to repair a family headstone? Does > this only apply to direct ancestors or do third cousins seven times removed > count? > > Brad > This group has always advocated getting a permission slip from the township trustee or cemetery board before beginning any work in these pioneer cemeteries. Many times there are no family members left to give this permission and since the trustee is responsible for maintaining public cemeteries, that's where the permission is obtained from. I only wanted to make the case that IF they did have this type of permission, which this group strongly supports, we should tread carefully in condemning them for messing with someone's ancestor's grave stone. The members of this list are continuously working on someone's ancestor's grave stones and have as much or little right to do so as anyone else. Obviously, the case against their technique is a whole separate issue. Kyle