I have not had a chance to read every comment on this subject, so this may have been published already, if so, I apologize. I consider this to be the 'last word' on tombstone care: http://www.gravestonestudies.org/ Here is what they say about shaving cream: Why can't I use shaving cream to highlight inscriptions on difficult to read stones? Our professional conservators tell us it is definitely not a good idea to use shaving cream on porous gravestones because there are chemicals, greasy emollients, in shaving cream that are sticky and very difficult to remove from the stone with a simple washing. Indeed, even with vigorous scrubbing and lots of rinsing, the cream fills in the pores of a porous stone and cannot all be removed. The result of leaving it there is that in time it may discolor or damage the stone. Instead, use a mirror to shine sunlight across the face of a stone, making the lettering stand out. For an explanatory leaflet on this technique, see Store Directory, Field Guides, "Photographing Gravestones." Always prefer a non-invasive method on gravestones just as we do on medical tests on our own bodies. ------------------------------------ I have found that on some stones a simple misting of water will enhance some engraving. Otherwise I take the best photo that I can, reflecting light, providing shade, whatever it is. Sometimes I "read" the letters with my fingers and then I transcribe it as best I can and record that with the picture. If it is not perfectly readable, that information is noted. Share your photos and/or transcriptions with the local historical and/or genealogical society so that if a time comes when the inscription is completely gone, there will be a record for others. It is okay to add more information about the person, including that with your submission to the society. JoAnn

JoAnn, Thanks for the voice of reason. I agree that only non-invasive alternatives are required to preserve and protect tombstones. There's no need to gunk up gravestones with shaving cream or other materials. To use another analogy: When hiking in the wilderness, we're asked to take only photos and leave only footprints. I think the same applies to documenting gravestones. Thanks for the info. Ken >From: JoAnn <ka7suz@concentric.net> >Reply-To: ohallen@rootsweb.com >To: ohallen@rootsweb.com >Subject: [OHALLEN] Shaving Cream on Tombstones >Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:40:13 -0800 > >I have not had a chance to read every comment on this subject, so >this may have been published already, if so, I apologize. I consider >this to be the 'last word' on tombstone care: > >http://www.gravestonestudies.org/ > >Here is what they say about shaving cream: > >Why can't I use shaving cream to highlight inscriptions on difficult >to read stones? > >Our professional conservators tell us it is definitely not a good >idea to use shaving cream on porous gravestones because there are >chemicals, greasy emollients, in shaving cream that are sticky and >very difficult to remove from the stone with a simple >washing. Indeed, even with vigorous scrubbing and lots of rinsing, >the cream fills in the pores of a porous stone and cannot all be >removed. The result of leaving it there is that in time it may >discolor or damage the stone. > >Instead, use a mirror to shine sunlight across the face of a stone, >making the lettering stand out. For an explanatory leaflet on this >technique, see Store Directory, Field Guides, "Photographing >Gravestones." Always prefer a non-invasive method on gravestones >just as we do on medical tests on our own bodies. >------------------------------------ > I have found that on some stones a simple misting of water >will enhance some engraving. Otherwise I take the best photo that I >can, reflecting light, providing shade, whatever it is. Sometimes I >"read" the letters with my fingers and then I transcribe it as best I >can and record that with the picture. If it is not perfectly >readable, that information is noted. > > Share your photos and/or transcriptions with the local >historical and/or genealogical society so that if a time comes when >the inscription is completely gone, there will be a record for >others. It is okay to add more information about the person, >including that with your submission to the society. > >JoAnn > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >OHALLEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes >in the subject and the body of the message _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with Windows Live Spaces http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create&wx_url=/friends.aspx&mkt=en-us