Use Shaving Cream When Taking Tombstone Photos

By George W. (Guest Post)

Brenda, This may work well on granite tombstones, but it NOT a good idea for older limestone, marble or slate tombstones. Shaving creme leaves acids in the stone which helps accelerate breakdown of the stone. Better to bring a cheap 24 x 30 plastic mirror, and use reflection from the sun to illuminate the markings. Check out www.gravestonestudies.org for some good non destructive methods for cleaning and documenting old tombstones.

By Brenda Halseth (Guest Post)

See:
http://www.gravestonestudies.org/
They have a whole set of pamphlets for the education on tombstone preservation.

Cleaning A Gravestone
http://www.savinggraves.org/education/bookshelf/cleaning.htm
How to do Gravestone Rubbings:
http://www.savinggraves.org/education/print/rubbings.htm

Photographing Gravestones: A Few Basic Pointers by Trina Purcell
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nhoga/misc_articles/photographing_gravestones.htm
Tips for Photographing Gravestones, By Maureen Taylor
http://www.genealogy.com/64_gravestones_print.html
Suggestions for Your Cemetery Restoration and Stone Repair Toolbox
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp/repairtoolbox.html

http://www.thefuneraldirectory.com/cemetery1.html

http://www.bitsofblueandgray.com/july2004.htm

By

meoowmom

Well what a great tip. My husband and I used to trek to some out of the way cemeteries out here in MO and I would take photos and had that
problem. Now I will gladly pass this tip to him as he very dedicated to his work on his family history.

By

melody_yesterday

That's a REALLY GOOD idea!
Thanks!