So when you go out and hunt thru the cemetaries do any of you do the wax paper rubings or document the stones for future references? Is this a part of your research practices or will it be in the future. Some of these old ones are aging with time and in yrs might not be legible. Do we as investigators go one step further to keep the history fresh for future investigators. If our grandchildren want to take p our passion and these turn out to be illegible graves wouldnt it be good for them to look at our notes and say that its joe chase not johndoe in this grave becuase the weather wore away the markings. We go out and research the history and I think we should add to it so future investigators might have a easier time looking somehing up.Maybe evn getting the info correct. We can add to the history and get the facts right.It would be selfish for us to kep the knowledge to our self.We all know that researching the history of something can be more time consuming than anything else. If just one of us could ease that burden then it opens up room for another sooner investigation, one that could really need help sooner or later. Please give me the feed back you think good or bad..
Great question . . . thanks for bringing up this important subject.
WSPIR is a member of the Association for Gravestone Studies.
http://www.gravestonestudies.org/
“The Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) was founded in 1977 for the purpose of furthering the study and preservation of gravestones. AGS is an international organization with an interest in gravemarkers of all periods and styles. Through its publications, conferences, workshops and exhibits, AGS promotes the study of gravestones from historical and artistic perspectives, expands public awareness of the significance of historic gravemarkers, and encourages individuals and groups to record and preserve gravestones. At every opportunity, AGS cooperates with groups that have similar interests.”
We participate in the USGenWebTombstone Project where we register to transcribe and photograph cemeteries and then upload the information for genealogical research and to preserve history.Go to the website and click on your state for information on this project.http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cemetery/registry.html
The Hillgrove Cemetery (Seatac, WA) is no longer in use and had been neglected for years.Three years ago WSPIR adopted this cemetery so we now do all of the maintenance and upkeep.We are in the process of contacting the Assoc for Gravestone Studies for class information on tombstone cleaning and repairs.
Some of us do tombstone rubbings but follow the guidelines provided by the Association.
Do you ever just take the pictures for documentation almost map it out for futher investigations? Sometimes its beter to make your own map becuase if the town has one its way old and its good to have if a buddy wants to check out the area.I mean you an get all scientific and go with a gps and way point certan areas, but it is cool to see the old ones written in olde english I didnt know it hurt them. I thought if the salt and weather didnt do it then How can wax. I will keep this in mind and just use te photo with a good zoom. thanks for the tip...
I know most people stay away from it because it damages old stones to do rubbings. I forgot exactly why but I know it has something to do with a chemical reaction that does something to the stone. Mostly old lime stone. I have myself been tempted to try it on the really old and abandoned cemeteries but I feel I must further research any possible damage I might do. In a cemetery my motto is "cause no harm".
I know most people stay away from it because it damages old stones to do rubbings. I forgot exactly why but I know it has something to do with a chemical reaction that does something to the stone. Mostly old lime stone. I have myself been tempted to try it on the really old and abandoned cemeteries but I feel I must further research any possible damage I might do. In a cemetery my motto is "cause no harm".
There are still issues with the inboxes. I'll get on it tomorrow and see if I can't figure out what the problem is. I apologize for any unusual things that may occur during this time. Maybe we really are haunted!?
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