Suzie, I have all the cemeteries in Murray County, OK (38) done that I can find and a half-dozen in surrounding counties done. Mostly now I just explore. I figure that unless the cemetery is in real danger of being lost to the elements the people in their counties can do some of the dirty work. You will run into a lot of people who will email you telling you what a wonderful job you did and then ream your butt over a typo. These people just sit back and like little birds in a nest wait for a worm to drop in their mouth. They have never been in a cemetery in their life except to bury Grandma. You will sweat your rear off in the summer or freeze it off in the winter, have leg aches, back aches, head aches from the bright sun or chills from the cold wind and rain but you will 'always' be the only one out there. Get used to it and the constant kibitzing from those who refuse to move out of their easy chairs. This work is just like church. There are a few who have to do everything and 90% sit back and complain. You will hear them say that they live in another state and "don't get back there much anymore". I guess that stops them from registering a cemetery where they 'do' live? After I answered your email this morning I got an email that ticked me off. I am sure the person meant well but it was the way they said it. They sent 4 names with birth and death dates for me to correct. One of them was as follows: Born 1989 - Died 1910. Now I know they meant 1889 but they blew it with just 4 names. Try 30,000 names and see how easy it is to make a typo under the conditions you have to work recording this stuff in the field. I use a metal detector around old houses and stores that have fallen down but not a cemetery. I personally would not feel right about doing that, but have no problem with anyone else doing it if they choose. Dennis ----- Original Message ----- From: <Jleflore65@aol.com> To: <OK-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 8:37 AM Subject: Re: [OK-CEM] cleaning tombstones > Dennis, thank you so much for the information on registering old graves. > That was a tremendous help. And your tip about taking the bucket to sit on > is great! These old bones would appreciate that. Do you still go out and > register graves? Have you ever tried metal detecting? > > Thank you again. > Suzie > > > ==== OK-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > NOTICE: Posting of virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political > announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, flames, > etc. (in other words - spam) is NOT ALLOWED and will be grounds for removal. > Consideration for exceptions, contact Kathleen Burnett kathleenburnett@earthlink.net > Oklahoma Cemeteries Volunteer Website http://www.rootsweb.com/~okcemete/okcem.htm > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >