Please, NO!!!!. I researched the topic and wrote the following for our local genealogy newsletter last year: We rely on information on tombstones to help us in our research. Projects around the world transcribe cemeteries and make them available for those who can't visit. But how do you transcribe weathered tombstones without causing further damage. We are aware that items that we used in the past, such as shaving cream, may help temporarily but accelerate the damage caused by acid rain, vegetation and insects. I've done some research, in the interest of saving the tombstones for our descendants. Help Preserve Our Cemeteries (http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dsucha/preserve.html): Don't spray or rub anything into monuments in an attempt to make the inscriptions more visible. I have heard of people who rub shaving cream or chalk into tombstones so that the inscriptions stand out. There are many non-invasive ways of reading an inscription. Often a simple white card to reflect the light at an angle, or waiting for the right time of day, will make the inscription jump out. It is better to wait a couple of hours rather than risk damaging an historic monument. The Association for Gravestone Studies (http://www.gravestonestudies.org/welcome.htm): . Don't use shaving cream, chalk, graphite, dirt, or other concoctions in an attempt to read worn inscriptions. Use a mirror to shine sunlight across the face of a stone, making the lettering stand out. Always prefer a non-invasive method on gravestones just as we do on medical tests on our own bodies . Don't use detergents, soaps, vinegar, bleach, or any other cleaning solutions on the stone, no matter how mild! . Don't use stiff-bristled or wire brushes, putty knives, nail files, or any metal object to clean or to remove lichen from the stone; Soft natural bristled brushes, whisk brooms, or wooden sticks are usually OK if used gently and carefully . Don't attempt to remove stubborn lichen. Soft lichen may be thoroughly soaked with plain water and then loosened with a gum eraser or a wooden popsicle stick. Be gentle. Stop if lichen does not come off easily. Saving Graves (http://www.savinggraves.org/education/bookshelf/rubbings.htm) says: A Note About Shaving Cream, Flour Or Chalk: A word of advice, DON'T use shaving cream , chalk, flour or anything else on tombstones!. These have many ingredients harmful to tombstones (like butane) and in some cases can be abrasive. There are a number of websites that promote this method, with one going so far as to assure that the shaving cream will not harm the stone. Please do not attempt this as you WILL be causing a great of damage to the stone and even by washing it after you are finished you will not remove all of the material that you have placed on the stone. More detailed information on why not to use shaving cream on a stone can be found here. In the case of flour, "introducing a starchy organic material to the stone is a death knell for it. not only will feed the lichens that are there but will introduce new ones which will have little natural competition. Also, wheat paste, which the flour essentially becomes when that first rain pours down (or the first dew forms) is a great adhesive. Just because we can't see any of it doesn't mean that it is all gone. Those little fungi and microbes love that sort of stuff and it is best not to introduce anything to the surface of the stone." According to the Crayola website, 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. Saving Graves received the following response from Crayola concerning the use of sidewalk chalk: "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." Mike More mikemore@rogers.com -----Original Message----- From: irl-co-donegal-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:irl-co-donegal-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Laurie Thompson Sent: July 2, 2008 6:09 PM To: Siobhan; janemar1e@yahoo.com; IRL-CO-Donegal; IRL-Donegal - List; IRL-Donegaleire-L; hiflyte Subject: Re: [IRL-CO-DONEGAL] [DONEGALEIRE] Mevagh Church Graveyard - CtyDonegal Siobhan . If you take a piece of Chalk and rub it across the engravings they stand out . Laurie

air pollution *acid rain* is now the most common cause and by far the most devastating thing that harms headstones moss etc can be removed easily with a plastic paint scraper but even this must be done after you check that the inscriptions are not of the variety that are moulded on or embossed as pushing and scraping will take what is there off I really do not like to use any abrasive nor cleanser because of the possible damage.........if you feel that you must use anything at all try a natural lemon or orange based detergent but please please please make sure that you wash everything off very carefully sometimes just a wet roller brush ran over the inscription will give you enough to work on. T he only time that I ever touch a headstone is when they are deserted and many miles from anywhere hidden in brush and scrub where there is no church land owner or council protection.... their information will be lost forever by vandals , falling trees or damage is being done by roots and the headstones life expectancy of the headstone is imminent destruction badly