Caroline, That sounds like lichen. There are a couple of recommended ways to clean it off. Lichens and algae can be removed by first thoroughly soaking the stone and then using a wooden scraper to gently remove the biological growth. This process may need to be repeated several times to remove the material, and remember to be gentle with the scraper so as to not damage the stone. Another way is with poltice. It is made of Kaolin/porcelain clay (dry), and Glycerine. Mix about half and half with water, to the consistency of peanut butter. Follow this link for more complete cleaning instructions using the poltice: http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp/repairtoolbox.html Or from the main page at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp/ click on "Excellent Cemetery Information Resources", and go to "Step by Step Restoration Guidelines" and "Restoration Toolbox Suggestions". Ernie At 01:47 PM 02/13/2002 -0500, you wrote: >Along the same lines, most of my older tombstones here in NE Indiana have a >greenish-brown fungus growing on them. Anybody know how to get rid of that? > >Caroline > >----- Original Message ----- >From: <Jb502000@aol.com> >To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2002 11:43 PM >Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Clean Queen on cleaning tombstones > > > > In a message dated 2/12/02 11:06:57 PM US Eastern Standard Time, > > yetzkejm@qtm.net writes: > > > > > > > Someone wrote in asking how to keep her husband's black marble headstone > > > clean. > > > > > > > Very few Tombstones are Black Marble. Most are Granite. This >Method > > will not destroy the "Newer" Marble or Granite. But Please, DO NOT USE >THIS > > ON OLD WHITE MARBLE OR LIMESTONE. It's Acidic. We have enough Acid rain >now > > to destroy the older softer ones. The "Newer ones CAN be cleaned. But even > > those that have an area on them that is rough (Chisled not Polished) is > > beginning to show signs of very slight aborption of water carrying dirt >over > > the last 25-30 years.. Just use good judgement with whatever you use. What > > are her credentials as to having carried out tests, or been to a class on > > Stone Cleaning. Or is that her Job. Time will tell if she is right. What > > works in or around the home does not necessairly work in a cemetery. Be > > cautious, Rinse good with water after cleaning. Good Luck. Maybe >someone > > else on the List has some Ideas, > > > > Jack E. Briles Sr. > > jb502000@aol.com > > > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > > "Show me your cemeteries, and I will tell you what kind of people you >have." > > Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790) > > > > > > > >==== 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