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Topic: Cleaning Old Gravestones (Read 1905 times)
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2623
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Hi all. A friend is trying to clean her ggg grandparents stones of moss. She was working at the bottom and scratched the stone, so stopped, and wondered what she could do to get the moss off. I knew there would be someone here who could help. I had heard you can use bleach to get moss off stone, but I wasn't sure that was the route to go with a gravestone. These stones are from the 1860s and 1870s. She said they were more of a "modern" ilk than the old stone ones.
Thanks for the help.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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stanmapstone
RootsChat Marquessate
 Online
Posts: 4307
My answers only refer to England and Wales
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Just to point out that each gravestone or memorial is owned by the person who erected it, or by his/her successors, and anyone who removes or defaces a memorial trespasses thereby. Before undertaking any work you should obtain permission from the owner.
Cleaning gravestones so as to not cause damage is not a job to be undertaken by an amateur. Where cleaning is felt to be necessary for an inscription to be made legible, this can be achieved by using a soft brush and plain water. A few lichen species are specially protected by law and collecting (or damaging) them is an offence.
Have a look at
http://www.thebls.org.uk/content/chlich.html
and http://www.ctgravestones.com/Conservation/cleaning.htm
Stan
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ricky1
RootsChat Marquessate
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Posts: 11722
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hi Kath
I used warm soapy water and a very fine brass brush, and I didnt have a problem doing it, but then I suppose what the head stone is made out of.
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Harby,Garton,Drury,Duncombe,Booth,Catton,Barker, Kirkby, Wilson. Lincolnshire, Also Murkin's, Jeffery,Pettitt,Carter, from Suffolk/Cambridgeshire boarder Census information is Crown Copyright from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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aghadowey
RootsChat Moderator
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Went to graveyard recently and someone had scratched across s stone to read one name and his dates better. I'm pretty sure of the culprit as recently his illegitimate daughter's daughter was in touch (she had just been told who grandfather was) but a few weeks later grand-daughter died suddenly (a coincidence I'm sure). It was a lovely old stone and don't know if it'll ever look alright again.
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Guy Etchells
RootsChat Veteran
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Posts: 894
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Be very careful when attempting to clean gravestones you could be committing a criminal offence.
Lichens may be found on many gravestones and at least 26 species are protected under UK law (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981).
It should also be noted for overseas forum members that many countries in the world protect lichens including the USA and Russia.
Cheers
Guy
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suffolkmawther
RootsChat Veteran
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Posts: 847
Henry - our new twiglet
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Before attempting cleaning, I use paper and old fashioned wax crayons to make a 'rubbing' of the lettering, often that is successful and gives all the information needed.
Also, when visiting a graveyard in Suffolk with an overseas researcher, the afternoon sunlight made the stone much easier to read than the mornings shadows. Always take a good torch (flashlight) along so that you can shine on to the lettering from different angles - sometimes helps.
Best wishes, SM ...
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Every time I find an ancestor, I have to find two more !
Pendle, Stygall, Pipe, Fruer, Bridges, Fisk in Suffolk
Bridges in Derby
FULKER in Berkshire then Hammersmith/Barnes LND
Murray, Clancy, Broker, Hoskins, Wilson, Sale in MDX/LND
Gt-Grandfather Michael Wilson born Cork, lived Fulham LND - arrived Boston USA 1889 - what happened next?
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2623
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Thank you all for this information. I will pass it along to my friend. It is her ggg grandparents grave, so I don't think ownership is an issue (but not sure, so I wouldn't even assume that), but I know she absolutely doesn't want to damage the stones. I am in the US and don't know anything about lichen being protected, so there is another thing to look into. I knew I was posting in the right place. 
I will let her know.
On a side note, I am going with her to visit an old family plot, which will entail a hike to get to, and I am so excited. Her family has been in this area for generations and the original family member who settled here is buried there. Not my family, but exciting to make the excursion with her.
Thanks for all the info and especially the cautions.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2623
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I called my friend a while ago with all the info you guys have given and I emailed her the link for cleaning (thanks Stan). I cautioned her on everything and she is in total agreement. I must say, she was shocked at how quickly I got a response. I told her she needs to check out this great site I go to... 
I am hoping to take a walk over to the cemetery with her tomorrow. I have been to it, but never with someone who has family there and I think it would be wonderful to visit with a "townie." This is the cemetery in my town that most of the town fathers are buried in. This isn't her family plot, which I will be going to with er soon I hope, but a town cemetery. It is small and quite old, by American standards. My kids find it creepy, so I am looking forward to going with someone who will not want to run out as soon as we get under a large, shadow-providing tree.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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Berlin-Bob
Global Moderator
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by My Daughter. Chatting to find her Roots !
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There are some more topics about this here
Topic: RootsChat Topics: Graveyards, Gravestones, Gravestone Symbols, etc.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,203252.0.html
Bob
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Searching for Coleman, Moore, Kallnung in London; Margulies, Remenyi in E. Europe; Ancestors of Hessie Stevenson-Coleman-Baxter (Ireland, 1861) and, of course, any other ancestors for my web-site. All Census Data included in this post is Crown Copyright (see: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) |
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Bob,
Thanks for the link. I am reading with great interest. I have been lucky myself, as I haven't come across any stones in bad condition. And I have sent all the links to my friend, for her to make her decision. I am also going to suggest she speak with the cemetery association, if she hasn't already. They might have some ideas, or rules about it all.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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peteseaton
RootsChat Extra
Offline
Posts: 21
Seaton Genealogy
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this is my mums (1973)
so ill have problems then
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KathMc
RootsChat Aristocrat
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Posts: 2623
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My friend actually spoke to a cemetery person, who told her to use bleach in water and a gentle brush. I would be so hesitant. Some of those old stones you just rub and it looks like the stone face itself is coming off. I think if it ever comes down to it fo rme, I would try a paper rubbing of the stone to get the info. At least then, if/when the stone decays, there would be an accurate record of it.
Kath
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Sligo: Davey (also Mayo), McCluskey, McNulty
Wexford and Staffordshire: Hayes, McClean
Galway and Staffordshire: Scott
Coventry: Wells, Collins, Palmer, Moody, Beck, Mickelwright, Husbands
Ireland: McNulty (Sligo), Kealy, Murphy (Carlow) Connolly, Gillen, Powell, Ryan, Moore, Martin
Davis from I don't know where originally
Stahl, Russia to England to USA
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mshrmh
RootsChat Veteran
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Posts: 687
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I recently went round a cemetery where a number of stones had been refurbished by attaching a stone plate with a new engraving of the wording. Presumably the old wording had worn and these new plates (within the frame of the existing stone) preserved the old stone while also giving the original inscription in a legible form. Has anyone else come across these?
The cemetery is council-run, still in use, the graves concerned probably late 19th-early 20th century.
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annieoburns
RootsChat Member
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Posts: 137
Census information Crown Copyright, from www.natio
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The stone plaque is an idea I have thought of. My family stone dates to 1826 and I could not read it but luckily a record of the inscription was made many years ago. It is also tilting forward and has had some splash of paint on it, vandalism? The descendants of the person who set up this stone must be several hundreds at this stage so how do you establish your right to have remedial work done. Noone could say they now 'own' the plot.
Anne
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Wiffen, Utton, Clark, Spires, Frisby, Raybould, Charlton, Green, (England)
Flood, Daly, Doran, Mc Kercher, Gardiner, (Ireland/England)
Reid, Burns (Ireland)
McGourty, Daly (Ireland/America)
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mshrmh
RootsChat Veteran
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Posts: 687
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Hi Anne - I agree tracing "ownership" may be impractical. It could be that the cemetery's authority (church, local council etc) would have some views or guidelines on what you could do if you were to approach them. Perhaps you could "plant" a laminated notice by the headstone if they were agreeable stating your idea and asking to be contacted if there are nearer relatives, giving a date and perhaps a neutral address eg the cemetery authority or the masons you would use for the work.
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Pages: [1] 2 3 4
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brass.brush.JPG