reading gravestones

[corinne]

Does anyone else have a small pair of binoculars as essential family history research equipment?  I have found them invaluable for doing quick scans over cemetery headstones.  You can stand in one spot and read gravestones for several rows back at a time.  Saves a lot of walking.

Probably should have put this on "the lighter side" as I imagine I get a few strange looks when I am pottering around in cemeteries looking for rellies. 

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Corinne

Binoculars - now there is a novel idea

Having done several thousand tombstone transcriptions, I have never yet tried to use a pair of binoculars to read them - but would have thoght it to be useful only on the stones where it is easy to read the inscription, and yes, of course it would save lots of walking.

My favourite way and the best I believe to read faded inscriptions, is a mirror to reflect the suns ray on to the stones from different angles.

Again several strange looks from others in the churchyard, especially if you have a spade as well (to move soil from stones that have sunk in order to read all inscriptions)

Chris in 1066Land

[Rinnie]

Hi Corinne

 I wish I had thought of using my binoculars when I went up to Cumbria, as some graveyards were very large!!, although many of the tombstones had completely weathered away (probably the ones I wanted! ). My next step is to go and see which plots they are buried in as there must be some record surely?, ahwell. I will try the binoculars out the next time I am after any body and see how many strange looks I get  .

Corinne (Rin) 

[GRACELAND]

Corinne ,
            wot a great idea never thouht of that i can carry on in the winter now and not get me feet so wet in the long grass 
                               Thanks for that one 

[Amy K]

  I have found them invaluable for doing quick scans over cemetery headstones.  You can stand in one spot and read gravestones for several rows back at a time.  Saves a lot of walking.

What a fantastic idea!!