Howdy TXBELL Listers.. Forwarded from a list subscriber, from another list, FWIW. Of interest in developing preservation information for our Bell County cemeteries, and trying not to harm the stones therein. If you've found cemetery- or tombstone-specific books or sites of use in getting information about care, that we can use in trying to catch up, or get ahead, of cemetery preservation in Bell County, would you share it? David Casto does a particulary spectacular job of trying to keep up with cemetery cleaning, county-wide, but actually getting headstones repaired and memorial damage fixed PROPERLY is difficult. David can always use volunteers, if you're interested in the physical clearing and recovery end of things about cemeteries. He primarily cleans up cemeteries for which no cemetery association is identified. There are so many conflicting guides about headstone cleaning. Cleaning stones, as is pointed out below, seems to be safest with the water and soft-bristle brush approach. If you'd like some interesting reading on cemetery preservation, recording, etc., the Association for Tombstone Studies, the Connecticut Tombstone Network (I think I've got that right), and even our TexGenWeb Tombstone Transcription Project, have got information at their sites. It can be so sad to see headstones or markers damaged, no longer legible, or whatever, and realize that individual's history is probably gone forever... along with someone's "connection" with the here-and-now. Bill Bost Bell County Coordinator ===== Forwarded message==== For yall's FYI files. I don't know these people nor do I have a vested interest in a water company or a soft-bristle brush company...and I have nothing against WINK or winking....q;-). I do have a vested interest in helping to avoid damage to headstones....if you think it is acceptable for the list, will you post it to the list, please? Think I will see if I can get in touch with some companies that make these things and ask them what is the best way to preserve the stones. MaryAnn Bartlett >-----Original Message----- >From: terry linn <tlynne@bellsouth.net> >Subject: [Fwd: [OHNOBLE-L] Cleaning tombstones.] >Dave Pickenpaugh wrote: >It is always best to get a second opinion when dealing with >something as important as a grave marker, it may contain >information that might be lost for ever. > >>On Sunday some information was listed about cleaning a tombstone: >|>"Listers, there is a product at Wal_Mart called "Whink". It >|>removes iron rust etc. It can be used on concrete and granite. It >|>does a wonderful job cleaning old tombstones." >|> >|> I contacted a lady who has my highest respect when it concerns >|> grave sites, this is her reply, regarding the product recommended. >|> I would ask everyone who might consider cleaning a grave stone to >|> read this posting. >|> >|> Dave Pickenpaugh - Marblemount, WA >|> pickenpaugh@bigfoot.com >|> >|> Dave: >|> >|> I went to www.whink.com and found that the primary ingredients of >|> the Whink >|> Rust & Iron stain remover are: >|> >|> Sodium bisulfate and >|> Sodium hydrosulfate >|> >|> The Material Safety Data Sheet for this product lists a >|> "characteristic sulfur odor". >|> >|> Based on this information, I would NOT recommend the use of this >|> product on gravestones. I don't doubt that it does an amazing >|> job of cleaning the stones, but the problem is that it doubtless >|> does appreciable damage to the stone itself and is thus not a |> good idea as it may, in fact, eat away at the surface of the |> stone. >|> >|> I could be wrong, but my gut reaction is that Whink is a bad idea >|> for use on grave stones. >|> >|> I just bought a copy of "Landscapes of Memories" from the Canadian >|> Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation (EXCELLENT |> resource). They echo the oft-repeated recommendation to rely on >|> water and a soft-bristled brush. >|> >|> For removing "efflorescence [white staining] and subflorescence of >|> water-soluble salts", they recommend the application of a >|> "poultice" of water and diatomaceous earth, fuller's earth or |> kaolinite, applied about 1/2" thick. When dried, the poultice is >|> removed, hopefully along with the stain. >|> >|> The book has detailed recommendations for removing many other >|> types of stains. >|> >|> "Landscapes of Memories: A Guide for Conserving Historic >|> Cemeteries" >|> >|> "The Heritage Properties and Museum Programs Unit of the Cultural >|> Programs Branch, Province of Ontario, has just released their |> excellent guide book, Landscapes of Memories: A Guide for |> Conserving Historic Cemeteries. The guide has been written by |> specialists in masonry conservation, and provides technical >|> information on common tombstone repairs, as well as general >|> information about grave markers and their construction. Copies are >|> only $10 each (Canadian), plus shipping and handling." >|> >|> I've already ordered my copy. Cost: $14.75 (including S/H) in >|> Canadian dollars (not sure of the exchange rate). >|> >|> Even if you don't order a copy, go to: >|> http://www.gov.on.ca/MCZCR/english/culdiv/heritage/memories.htm >|> to see the excellent sample drawing showing details of repairing a >|> busted flat-piece marker, one of the most common repairs I've seen >|> required. >|> >|> Lois _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com