In reference to pictures are on the current event page of the chalked stones This looks like someone used the block style of carpenters caulk. These colors (red and blue) do not degrade easily, and because this type of chalk is rubbed on ,it is in the pores of the stones(yes stone has pores like your skin) and will be present for some time to come. I don't know of any way to remove this chalk with out further degrading the stones. On the subject of cleaning headstones DON'T is the best policy the old stones were for the most part local stone,and in this part of the world that means sandstone. Sandstone is soft,porous,and easily damaged,and it weathers badly,but it is easily worked because of this. That is why they are slowly fading away. If you just "have too" clean one use your fingers to brush away mosses or lichens,the only tool I carry with me is a tooth brush,and I use it only as a last resort. If the stone is to weathered to photograph,make a tracing. Go to a art store and buy a pad of the large tracing paper,and some "Soft" charcoals, not the pencil type,but the little square ones about the size of your finger. Place the paper on the stone(it helps to have a partner in this) and slide the charcoal across the paper to make the tracing. It takes some practice,and the soft charcoals are messy,but it works better than trying to do it with a pencil type of instrument,and you will not tear the paper. On the subject of photographing tombstones. You can use a mirror to reflect light onto a stone to show the lettering in relief,by setting the mirror at 45 degrees to the stone and the sun,or you can sometimes get better pictures by shading the stone on bright sunny days,because the light reflected off of the stone tends to wash the picture(i.e. it over loads the sensors in the camera).If you camera has the capability go down a couple of stops and bracket your shots,cameras see in two dimensions,not 3 as does the human eye. I doesn't matter how you get the pictures,I use a 35MM and a digital both,the main thing is how you view them. If you have a photo program on a computer ,when you have your film developed get a digital set also,so that you can load them into your computer. There are a lot of photo programs available,most of them will do a decent job of showing or printing your pictures,but not all allow you to manipulate the photos to any great extent. A word of warning do not work on the original picture,always work on a copy. In the photo program you can change the contrast and the brightness of a picture so as to enhance what is shown and reveal details that do not show in commercial prints due to the way their software works.( They go for a tonal average). You may not get the best looking picture in the world that way ,but it will allow you to see what is on the stone. Also if you have a photo program you can scan in the old photos that you have and retouch them and change the contrast (i.e. the fading) and the lighting (dark pictures) and normally you get a picture that looks new. It takes a lot of effort sometimes ,but it is worth it if you want to really see what GG aunt or uncle somebody looked like. I have pictures taken off of tintypes that were so faded that you could not make out the details with naked eye,that look almost new,considering that the tintypes are 110-140 years old. iley ----- Original Message ----- From: "macbetty" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 2:01 PM Subject: [TNMARION] new item on web site > Jerre Hookey sent two pictures of the tombstones that were chalked and left to ruin-- Iley put these up for us, under current events -- > > I wanted all of you to see what a mess and how it can really can cause unnecessary damage to these old stones > take a look please-- this is the web site address http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ > Thank you Iley and Jerre > Betty > > > > > ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== > *********************************************************************** > PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, > requests for help, and other genealogical related information > that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a > possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no > soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. > Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . > Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ > *********************************************************************** > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx > >

it most certainly is ok with me -- I would love to hear some too-- So how about telling us some of your great memories :-) thank you betty ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shelia" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 4:20 PM Subject: [TNMARION] school days | Since its almost time for back to school, I was wondering if anyone had | any school memories they would like to share--that is, if its ok with | Miss Betty. | | | | | | | | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the | last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx | | |

very good advice Iley -- thanks ----- Original Message ----- From: "Iley Thompson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 3:15 PM Subject: Re: [TNMARION] new item on web site | In reference to pictures are on the current event page of the chalked stones | | This looks like someone used the block style of carpenters caulk. | These colors (red and blue) do not degrade easily, | and because this type of chalk is rubbed on ,it is in the pores of the | stones(yes stone has pores like your skin) and will be present for some time | to come. I don't know of any way to remove this chalk with out further | degrading the stones. | | On the subject of cleaning headstones | DON'T is the best policy the old stones were for the most part local | stone,and in this part of the world that means sandstone. Sandstone is | soft,porous,and easily damaged,and it weathers badly,but it is easily worked | because of this. That is why they are slowly fading away. | If you just "have too" clean one use your fingers to brush away mosses or | lichens,the only tool I carry with me is a tooth brush,and I use it only as | a last resort. | If the stone is to weathered to photograph,make a tracing. | Go to a art store and buy a pad of the large tracing paper,and some "Soft" | charcoals, not the pencil type,but the little square ones about the size of | your finger. Place the paper on the stone(it helps to have a partner in | this) and slide the charcoal across the paper to make the tracing. | It takes some practice,and the soft charcoals are messy,but it works better | than trying to do it with a pencil type of instrument,and you will not tear | the paper. | | On the subject of photographing tombstones. | | You can use a mirror to reflect light onto a stone to show the lettering in | relief,by setting the mirror at 45 degrees to the stone and the sun,or you | can sometimes get better pictures by shading the stone on bright sunny | days,because the light reflected off of the stone tends to wash the | picture(i.e. it over loads the sensors in the camera).If you camera has the | capability go down a couple of stops and bracket your shots,cameras see in | two dimensions,not 3 as does the human eye. | | I doesn't matter how you get the pictures,I use a 35MM and a digital | both,the main thing is how you view them. | If you have a photo program on a computer ,when you have your film developed | get a digital set also,so that you can load them into your computer. | | There are a lot of photo programs available,most of them will do a decent | job of showing or printing your pictures,but not all allow you to | manipulate the photos to any great extent. A word of warning do not work on | the original picture,always work on a copy. | | In the photo program you can change the contrast and the brightness of a | picture so as to enhance what is shown and reveal details that do not show | in commercial prints due to the way their software works.( They go for a | tonal average). You may not get the best looking picture in the world that | way ,but it will allow you to see what is on the stone. | | Also if you have a photo program you can scan in the old photos that you | have and retouch them and change the contrast (i.e. the fading) and the | lighting (dark pictures) and normally you get a picture that looks new. It | takes a lot of effort sometimes ,but it is worth it if you want to really | see what GG aunt or uncle somebody looked like. I have pictures taken off | of tintypes that were so faded that you could not make out the details with | naked eye,that look almost new,considering that the tintypes are 110-140 | years old. | | | | iley | ----- Original Message ----- | From: "macbetty" <[email protected]> | To: <[email protected]> | Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 2:01 PM | Subject: [TNMARION] new item on web site | | | > Jerre Hookey sent two pictures of the tombstones that were chalked | and left to ruin-- Iley put these up for us, under current events -- | > | > I wanted all of you to see what a mess and how it can really can cause | unnecessary damage to these old stones | > take a look please-- this is the web site address | http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | > Thank you Iley and Jerre | > Betty | > | > | > | > | > ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | > *********************************************************************** | > PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | > requests for help, and other genealogical related information | > that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | > possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | > soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | > Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | > Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | > *********************************************************************** | > | > ============================== | > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the | > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. | > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx | > | > | | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. | New content added every business day. Learn more: | http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx | | |

very good article Delwyn -- thanks for sharing ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 12:09 PM Subject: [TNMARION] Tips for Photographing Cemetery Markers | You are receiving this e-mail from http://www.ancestry.families.aol.com at the request of [email protected] | | Sender's comments: | Tips for Photographing Cemetery Markers. This may be helpful to a lot of people who would like to photograph markers. | Thanks Delwyn King | | Article details. | Title: Tips for Photographing Cemetery Markers | Abstract: In | | The full article can be found at: | http://www.ancestry.families.aol.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=10179 | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the | last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx | | |

Donna they gave you very good advice -- I am sorry but I cracked up laughing at the putting a paper bag over the stone and the peeping under it-- can you imagine what people driving by or just walking by seeing us doing this would think? I am sure it would probably work though-- but the mirror idea sure seems to be the easiest and PLEASE absolutely use distilled water -- A lot of times, we take so much for granite, that every one knows this or that forgetting that we always have newbie's on the list -- so again thank you Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: "Donna OBrien" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 12:32 PM Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | Even removing lichen in some cases can damage the softer stones -- you can usually identify these because they're very white and feel almost chalky to the touch. I was looking for a Confederate grave in Grundy Co. recently and I contacted the monument co. there for suggestions on how to locate it. Most of the stones in the cemetery were this white, soft sandstone and some of the really old ones (dating back to 1830's) are worn smooth. Here's what they suggested: | | Never use chemicals of any kind on any stone, even granite. The best thing to clean a stone with is distilled water. They said not to use tap water or well water because it is either treated with flouride or has iron, etc. in it. A soft, non-abrasive sponge is okay, but never brushes or scouring pads. They said to try not to "pull" lichen out of these types of stones because it can actually pull away part of the stone with it. | | For deciding what's inscribed on the stone, they suggested taking a paper bag and placing it over the stone. Then using a flashlight, you can poke your head under and get a clearer reading than in direct sunlight. I didn't try this, but this is what they suggested. | | My method has always been to trace over the engraving with my fingers (kind of like reading Braille). Sometimes your mind can make out what your eye can't. I take a small notebook with me when I go to the cemeteries. I write down any information about the inscription, the location of the grave (e.g. "two rows back from the south-west corner of the church", etc.), then I write down the name of the cemetery and basic directions to get there. I take pictures of the stones even if they're not legible. When I get my film developed, I take my notes from the notebook and transfer them to the back of my photos. I have a basic dime-store photo album that I keep these in so I can locate them quickly if I need to. | | Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth... | | Donna | | macbetty <[email protected]> wrote: | Pat I really wouldn't recommend using even a plastic scraper on | these old stones -- and I definately would not want any one to use | the ammonia to clean them without knowing exactly what type of stone | it is -- if the stones are that unreadable -- please check with the | grounds keeper of the cemetery and ask him what type of stone it is | and what they recommend using before doing anything further--- If you | can't locate a groundskeeper -- try the local funeral home -- please do | not attempt cleaning these old stones without being very cautious | Betty | ----- Original Message ----- | From: "Pat Sommerfield" | To: | Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 6:35 AM | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | || Here are a couple of cemetery sites.....with do's and don'ts || Pat || || http://daddezio.com/cemetery/articles/cleaning.html || || http://www.potifos.com/cemeteries.html || || || TNMARION-D Digest Volume 05 : Issue 203 || || Today's Topics: || #1 please don't use chalk ["macbetty" #2 Finding cities, counties in | variou [Donna OBrien #3 to find counties [Richard Bloss ] || #4 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch [[email protected]] || #5 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch [[email protected]] || #6 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch ["macbetty" || Administrivia: || To unsubscribe from TNMARION-D, send a message to || || [email protected] || || that contains in the body of the message the command || || unsubscribe || || and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but || if your software || requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. || || To contact the list administrator, send mail to Betty McBee, the TNMARION | list administrator at [email protected] || || || || ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 13:04:12 -0600 || From: "macbetty" || To: [email protected] || Subject: please don't use chalk || || Jerre Hookey sent me the following note and I do believe it is certainly | important enough to pass on to all of you ------------ || || Betty, || I went to Raulston cemetery this morning to do some weedeating around my | greatgrandparents graves. Raulston cemetery in located off Hwy. 2. I don't | know if the following is appropriate for the Marion county site or not. || || I notice as I was going to my ancestors graves someone had been in the | cemetery either making pictures of grave markers, rubbings or trying to read | names better. They had covered a lot of the names with carpenter's chalk or | similar material. That is a don't in the does and don'ts of reading names on | grave stone. || || ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 12:08:55 -0700 (PDT) || From: Donna OBrien || To: [email protected] || Subject: Finding cities, counties in various states || || >From another maillist. || || To find the county a particular city or town is in, try this site: || http://www.city-data.com/ || || || || Donna || || ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 12:17:02 -0700 (PDT) || From: Richard Bloss || To: [email protected] || Subject: to find counties || || go to rootsweb.com || || on the left side down a bit is the town/county data || base. || || click there and enter town and state || || and your answer is the county || || || || || || ____________________________________________________ || Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page || http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs || || || ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:28:22 EDT || From: [email protected] || To: [email protected] || Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk || || Hi! || || What about using baking flour? Is that ok? || || Renee || || ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:39:21 EDT || From: [email protected] || To: [email protected] || Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk || || Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. || Helen || || ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 13:49:14 -0600 || From: "macbetty" || To: [email protected] || Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk || || yes by all means please wash it off -- does any one remember where || the site is that had the article on what you can and can't use ? || ----- Original Message ----- || From: || To: || Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 1:39 PM || Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk || || ||| Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. ||| Helen ||| ||| ||| ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== ||| *********************************************************************** ||| PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, ||| requests for help, and other genealogical related information ||| that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a ||| possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no ||| soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. ||| Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . ||| Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ ||| *********************************************************************** ||| ||| ============================== ||| Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the ||| areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. ||| Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx ||| ||| ||| || || || || || --------------------------------- || Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page || || || ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== || *********************************************************************** || PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, || requests for help, and other genealogical related information || that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a || possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no || soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. || Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . || Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ || *********************************************************************** || || ============================== || Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. || Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: | http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx || || || | | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the | areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. | Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx | | | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for | ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: | http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx | | |

Pat I really wouldn't recommend using even a plastic scraper on these old stones -- and I definately would not want any one to use the ammonia to clean them without knowing exactly what type of stone it is -- if the stones are that unreadable -- please check with the grounds keeper of the cemetery and ask him what type of stone it is and what they recommend using before doing anything further--- If you can't locate a groundskeeper -- try the local funeral home -- please do not attempt cleaning these old stones without being very cautious Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Sommerfield" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 6:35 AM Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | Here are a couple of cemetery sites.....with do's and don'ts | Pat | | http://daddezio.com/cemetery/articles/cleaning.html | | http://www.potifos.com/cemeteries.html | | | TNMARION-D Digest Volume 05 : Issue 203 | | Today's Topics: | #1 please don't use chalk ["macbetty" #2 Finding cities, counties in variou [Donna OBrien #3 to find counties [Richard Bloss ] | #4 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch [[email protected]] | #5 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch [[email protected]] | #6 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch ["macbetty" | Administrivia: | To unsubscribe from TNMARION-D, send a message to | | [email protected] | | that contains in the body of the message the command | | unsubscribe | | and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but | if your software | requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. | | To contact the list administrator, send mail to Betty McBee, the TNMARION list administrator at [email protected] | | | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 13:04:12 -0600 | From: "macbetty" <[email protected]> | To: [email protected] | Subject: please don't use chalk | | Jerre Hookey sent me the following note and I do believe it is certainly important enough to pass on to all of you ------------ | | Betty, | I went to Raulston cemetery this morning to do some weedeating around my greatgrandparents graves. Raulston cemetery in located off Hwy. 2. I don't know if the following is appropriate for the Marion county site or not. | | I notice as I was going to my ancestors graves someone had been in the cemetery either making pictures of grave markers, rubbings or trying to read names better. They had covered a lot of the names with carpenter's chalk or similar material. That is a don't in the does and don'ts of reading names on grave stone. | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 12:08:55 -0700 (PDT) | From: Donna OBrien <[email protected]> | To: [email protected] | Subject: Finding cities, counties in various states | | >From another maillist. | | To find the county a particular city or town is in, try this site: | http://www.city-data.com/ | | | | Donna | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 12:17:02 -0700 (PDT) | From: Richard Bloss <[email protected]> | To: [email protected] | Subject: to find counties | | go to rootsweb.com | | on the left side down a bit is the town/county data | base. | | click there and enter town and state | | and your answer is the county | | | | | | ____________________________________________________ | Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page | http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs | | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:28:22 EDT | From: [email protected] | To: [email protected] | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | Hi! | | What about using baking flour? Is that ok? | | Renee | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:39:21 EDT | From: [email protected] | To: [email protected] | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. | Helen | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 13:49:14 -0600 | From: "macbetty" <[email protected]> | To: [email protected] | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | yes by all means please wash it off -- does any one remember where | the site is that had the article on what you can and can't use ? | ----- Original Message ----- | From: | To: | Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 1:39 PM | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | || Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. || Helen || || || ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== || *********************************************************************** || PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, || requests for help, and other genealogical related information || that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a || possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no || soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. || Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . || Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ || *********************************************************************** || || ============================== || Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the || areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. || Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx || || || | | | | | --------------------------------- | Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. | Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx | | |

You are receiving this e-mail from http://www.ancestry.families.aol.com at the request of [email protected] Sender's comments: Tips for Photographing Cemetery Markers. This may be helpful to a lot of people who would like to photograph markers. Thanks Delwyn King Article details. Title: Tips for Photographing Cemetery Markers Abstract: In The full article can be found at: http://www.ancestry.families.aol.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=10179

Jerre Hookey sent two pictures of the tombstones that were chalked and left to ruin-- Iley put these up for us, under current events -- I wanted all of you to see what a mess and how it can really can cause unnecessary damage to these old stones take a look please-- this is the web site address http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ Thank you Iley and Jerre Betty

Even removing lichen in some cases can damage the softer stones -- you can usually identify these because they're very white and feel almost chalky to the touch. I was looking for a Confederate grave in Grundy Co. recently and I contacted the monument co. there for suggestions on how to locate it. Most of the stones in the cemetery were this white, soft sandstone and some of the really old ones (dating back to 1830's) are worn smooth. Here's what they suggested: Never use chemicals of any kind on any stone, even granite. The best thing to clean a stone with is distilled water. They said not to use tap water or well water because it is either treated with flouride or has iron, etc. in it. A soft, non-abrasive sponge is okay, but never brushes or scouring pads. They said to try not to "pull" lichen out of these types of stones because it can actually pull away part of the stone with it. For deciding what's inscribed on the stone, they suggested taking a paper bag and placing it over the stone. Then using a flashlight, you can poke your head under and get a clearer reading than in direct sunlight. I didn't try this, but this is what they suggested. My method has always been to trace over the engraving with my fingers (kind of like reading Braille). Sometimes your mind can make out what your eye can't. I take a small notebook with me when I go to the cemeteries. I write down any information about the inscription, the location of the grave (e.g. "two rows back from the south-west corner of the church", etc.), then I write down the name of the cemetery and basic directions to get there. I take pictures of the stones even if they're not legible. When I get my film developed, I take my notes from the notebook and transfer them to the back of my photos. I have a basic dime-store photo album that I keep these in so I can locate them quickly if I need to. Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth... Donna macbetty <[email protected]> wrote: Pat I really wouldn't recommend using even a plastic scraper on these old stones -- and I definately would not want any one to use the ammonia to clean them without knowing exactly what type of stone it is -- if the stones are that unreadable -- please check with the grounds keeper of the cemetery and ask him what type of stone it is and what they recommend using before doing anything further--- If you can't locate a groundskeeper -- try the local funeral home -- please do not attempt cleaning these old stones without being very cautious Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Sommerfield" To: Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 6:35 AM Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | Here are a couple of cemetery sites.....with do's and don'ts | Pat | | http://daddezio.com/cemetery/articles/cleaning.html | | http://www.potifos.com/cemeteries.html | | | TNMARION-D Digest Volume 05 : Issue 203 | | Today's Topics: | #1 please don't use chalk ["macbetty" #2 Finding cities, counties in variou [Donna OBrien #3 to find counties [Richard Bloss ] | #4 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch [[email protected]] | #5 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch [[email protected]] | #6 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch ["macbetty" | Administrivia: | To unsubscribe from TNMARION-D, send a message to | | [email protected] | | that contains in the body of the message the command | | unsubscribe | | and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but | if your software | requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. | | To contact the list administrator, send mail to Betty McBee, the TNMARION list administrator at [email protected] | | | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 13:04:12 -0600 | From: "macbetty" | To: [email protected] | Subject: please don't use chalk | | Jerre Hookey sent me the following note and I do believe it is certainly important enough to pass on to all of you ------------ | | Betty, | I went to Raulston cemetery this morning to do some weedeating around my greatgrandparents graves. Raulston cemetery in located off Hwy. 2. I don't know if the following is appropriate for the Marion county site or not. | | I notice as I was going to my ancestors graves someone had been in the cemetery either making pictures of grave markers, rubbings or trying to read names better. They had covered a lot of the names with carpenter's chalk or similar material. That is a don't in the does and don'ts of reading names on grave stone. | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 12:08:55 -0700 (PDT) | From: Donna OBrien | To: [email protected] | Subject: Finding cities, counties in various states | | >From another maillist. | | To find the county a particular city or town is in, try this site: | http://www.city-data.com/ | | | | Donna | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 12:17:02 -0700 (PDT) | From: Richard Bloss | To: [email protected] | Subject: to find counties | | go to rootsweb.com | | on the left side down a bit is the town/county data | base. | | click there and enter town and state | | and your answer is the county | | | | | | ____________________________________________________ | Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page | http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs | | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:28:22 EDT | From: [email protected] | To: [email protected] | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | Hi! | | What about using baking flour? Is that ok? | | Renee | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:39:21 EDT | From: [email protected] | To: [email protected] | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. | Helen | | ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 13:49:14 -0600 | From: "macbetty" | To: [email protected] | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | yes by all means please wash it off -- does any one remember where | the site is that had the article on what you can and can't use ? | ----- Original Message ----- | From: | To: | Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 1:39 PM | Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | | || Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. || Helen || || || ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== || *********************************************************************** || PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, || requests for help, and other genealogical related information || that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a || possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no || soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. || Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . || Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ || *********************************************************************** || || ============================== || Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the || areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. || Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx || || || | | | | | --------------------------------- | Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Census images 1901, 1891, 1881 and 1871, plus so much more. | Ancestry.com's United Kingdom & Ireland Collection. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13968/rd.ashx | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== *********************************************************************** PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, requests for help, and other genealogical related information that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ *********************************************************************** ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx

The Association for Gravestone Studies - FAQ

That is an excellent sight you sent Lee Anne, thank you Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lee Anne Center" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 5:47 PM Subject: RE: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | This is probably not the website with the article you were talking about, | but History Detectives (PBS) has a little information on cemeteries and | tombstones: | | http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/classroom/class_information.html | | I'm looking forward to learning the URL of the website that has the article | you were talking about. | | Lee Anne | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the | last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx | | |

Thank you Jean Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 8:36 AM Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | The Association for Gravestone Studies - FAQ | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the | areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. | Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx | | |

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Here are a couple of cemetery sites.....with do's and don'ts Pat http://daddezio.com/cemetery/articles/cleaning.html http://www.potifos.com/cemeteries.html TNMARION-D Digest Volume 05 : Issue 203 Today's Topics: #1 please don't use chalk ["macbetty" #2 Finding cities, counties in variou [Donna OBrien #3 to find counties [Richard Bloss ] #4 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch [[email protected]] #5 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch [[email protected]] #6 Re: [TNMARION] please don't use ch ["macbetty" Administrivia: To unsubscribe from TNMARION-D, send a message to [email protected] that contains in the body of the message the command unsubscribe and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but if your software requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. To contact the list administrator, send mail to Betty McBee, the TNMARION list administrator at [email protected] ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 13:04:12 -0600 From: "macbetty" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: please don't use chalk Jerre Hookey sent me the following note and I do believe it is certainly important enough to pass on to all of you ------------ Betty, I went to Raulston cemetery this morning to do some weedeating around my greatgrandparents graves. Raulston cemetery in located off Hwy. 2. I don't know if the following is appropriate for the Marion county site or not. I notice as I was going to my ancestors graves someone had been in the cemetery either making pictures of grave markers, rubbings or trying to read names better. They had covered a lot of the names with carpenter's chalk or similar material. That is a don't in the does and don'ts of reading names on grave stone. ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 12:08:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Donna OBrien <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Finding cities, counties in various states >From another maillist. To find the county a particular city or town is in, try this site: http://www.city-data.com/ Donna ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 12:17:02 -0700 (PDT) From: Richard Bloss <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: to find counties go to rootsweb.com on the left side down a bit is the town/county data base. click there and enter town and state and your answer is the county ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:28:22 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk Hi! What about using baking flour? Is that ok? Renee ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 15:39:21 EDT From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. Helen ______________________________Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 13:49:14 -0600 From: "macbetty" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk yes by all means please wash it off -- does any one remember where the site is that had the article on what you can and can't use ? ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 1:39 PM Subject: Re: [TNMARION] please don't use chalk | Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. | Helen | | | ==== TNMARION Mailing List ==== | *********************************************************************** | PLEASE NOTE: This list is for queries and replies, comments, | requests for help, and other genealogical related information | that is of interest to researchers having a connection or a | possible connection to Marion County, Tennessee. There is no | soliciting or advertising of any item or service for sale allowed. | Betty McBee - list administrator-- [email protected] . | Marion County Web Site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnmario2/ | *********************************************************************** | | ============================== | Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the | areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. | Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx | | | --------------------------------- Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page

I wouldn't use flour. Just trying to wash flour off a plate or my hands after making something makes me think it wouldn't wash off well. Also, a food item like flour might attract some little animal or bugs. Has anyone tried asking someone who owns a monument works? Lee Anne

I have received two different sights , both saying pretty much the same thing thank you Nelda and Delbert the only safe way is to use reflected sun light. (USE A MIRROR) Never apply anything to a stone. Sometimes a video shows the writing better then a normal camera. Cemetery Conservation and Tombstone Care http://www.progenealogists.com/tombstonecare.htm Good article on why not to use shaving cream (or really any other substance) http://www.savinggraves.org/education/bookshelf/shavingcream.htm

This is probably not the website with the article you were talking about, but History Detectives (PBS) has a little information on cemeteries and tombstones: http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/classroom/class_information.html I'm looking forward to learning the URL of the website that has the article you were talking about. Lee Anne

Whatever you use, please wash off before leaving. Helen

Hi! What about using baking flour? Is that ok? Renee

At 02:28 PM 8/2/2005, you wrote: >Hi! > >What about using baking flour? Is that ok? > >Renee I think mirrors and adding light is about the only one that doesn't do some sort of damage to the stones. Though a small bottle of water with no additives to it would prob be used to wet the engraved letters I wouldn't put more than a spritz or two of it. Probably would be better just to take pics a little after a rain if that's an option. Anything like chalk, flour etc contains things that could break down the stone or cause stuff to grow on it. --Marie B