Graving
'Graving' -- Tips for visiting cemeteries to document family history
On March 23, 2010, Ancestry.com posted the following on Facebook:
Tip: With the weather warming, many of us are taking to cemeteries. Bring a small white board with you and dry erase marker. Write the cemetery name, location, and grave location on the board and photograph it with the tombstone. You'll always know where to find that grave. What's your favorite cemetery tip?
One day later, there were over 200 comments in response, some contradicted by more knowledgeable posters (especially re. destructive materials to avoid applying to the vulnerable stones), but overall including many useful ideas. I decided to make an organized recap list of the many noteworthy suggestions and warnings, plus add a few of my own. I hope you find these 'before', 'during', and 'after' lists useful.
' Compilation originally assembled and posted by Diane P. DesAutels
(Feel free to fix/enhance my formatting -- I'm a Wiki newbie -- but please don't mix explanatory notes in as if they were separate list items.)
BEFORE heading out to hunt among the gravestones:
' Consult FindAGrave.com, Interment.net, and/or NamesInStone.com, plus online burial records via Ancestry.com, etc. N.B. FindAGrave now includes relationship links between different cemeteries.
- If you can't visit a cemetery in person, make a request on FindAGrave, and someone local may be able to help by taking photos according to your specific needs!
- Keep notes on ALL burial information handy, so that in case you ever happen to be in the region you'll remember where to visit.
' Get clear directions/maps to the cemetery, and learn how to use your GPS. (You'll want to take precise readings, too.)
' Consult any cemetery manager, town clerk, church records, resident family, etc., for details on location and accessibility (both physical and legal) of the desired plot(s), AND of any relevant original documents/records.
- N.B. Such resources may be able to tell you about other relatives/interments with the same surname, and/or even provide a map/chart of the plots.
- Ascertain whether flash photography or scanning is allowed, and what (if any) limitations there are on reproducing the resulting image(s).
- Also, GET PERMISSION if you want to "clean up" a stone/plot. Find out what is and is NOT allowed for a given site.
' Find out whether any foreign language was used by your ancestors, or in the general area, during the relevant period. If so, purchase any needed dictionary, or locate a native speaker willing and able to help you.
' It's often advisable to check with the local police re. criminal activity in the specific (often unpopulated!) area.
- Lock your car door when you get out (but make sure you hang on to the key, and maybe even carry a spare).
' Find out what dangerous/poisonous/allergenic plants & animals are native to the area, and what they look like, so you know what to watch out for. Consider what first-aid supplies/topical treatments you should bring.
' Get a weather report, and plan accordingly.
- DON'T plan to go after several rainy days, even if the current day is fine: the ground will be soggy!
- N.B. An overcast, but not dark, day provides the most even light for details -- few areas w/deep shadow or washed-out glare, plus your own shadow won't show up in your pictures. However, some people prefer the sun's high contrast, to make lettering stand out more. Test for your own preference locally. In any case, 'high noon' is a poor time for photos.
' Practice with your camera, with various comparable conditions and subjects, to learn the best settings, grips, angles, etc.
On the day you go 'graving':
Re. paperwork, etc.:
' Bring cotton gloves & any necessary ' translation dictionary/-ies, if there's any chance you'll be handling historical papers.
- Your gloves should fit well (stretch=snug), because while one should try to avoid contamination from skin-oils and dirt, fumbling/dropping old documents could be just as destructive!
- A portable scanner may produce better results than a camera, especially for large documents with small writing.
' Bring a map of the cemetery, if you were able to obtain one.
- Make a few copies before writing on it or taking it outside where there might be rain, dew, or sprinklers! Keep at least one in a protected place or plastic bag.
' Bring a copy of any relevant data your research has so far yielded -- full name(s), D.o.B./D.o.D., spouse, etc. -- to make sure you find the right person's grave, not just someone with the same name.
Bring protective/comfort gear:
' Full-length clothing (light=cooling or dark=warming, as appropriate), a sunhat and/or rain hat, sturdy shoes or boots, and gardening gloves.
- Layers are always best, to adjust to changing conditions.
' Sunscreen, bug repellent, and After-Bite -- Don't get any on the stones, though!
- In fact, a first-aid kit is not a bad idea, to disinfect scratches, treat bee stings, etc.
- N.B. Even an overcast day can give you sunburn if you're out in it for hours!
' A walking stick helps over uneven ground, PLUS comes in handy to probe/push aside brush or flowers -- watch for spiders, snakes, etc.!
' An umbrella -- in case of rain, to cover you and/or the stone, OR (on sunny days) to shade the stone from glaring light.
' A flashlight -- to find your way over uneven ground if it's getting late or densely overgrown, PLUS to shine obliquely (i.e. from the side) across the stone for angular, and thus high-contrast, illumination of worn inscriptions.
' Plenty of water, for drinking and cleanup -- Stay hydrated!
' A ground cloth or pad/mat to kneel/lie on -- while cleaning stones IF PERMITTED, and/or to get low-angle photographs.
' A camp stool or folding chair to take a break now and then.
Don't try to do it all on your own!
' Bring at least one assistant, to help find graves, and position reflectors, flashlights, umbrellas, etc., and to provide company/protection in isolated areas, in case of criminal presence or accident/injury/incapacitation.
- It may be useful to have one person stay with the car, with reference materials and possibly internet access.
' Carry a fully-charged cell phone -- It may offer GPS, and/or a [supplemental] camera/flash, and can provide communication with companion(s) across large cemeteries, plus contact with professional assistance in case of emergency (i.e. an ambulance or a tow truck).
- Walkie-talkie radios can keep you in contact with companions in the cemetery, but they can't do the rest.
Bring cleaning supplies (AS PERMITTED):
' Soft [natural fiber] bristle brush (NOT metal) & ' soft cloths/rags -- to remove loose debris/dirt IF PERMITTED.
' Soft toothbrush, or soft, narrow bottle brush -- to do the same in the fine carving IF PERMITTED.
' A wet Q-tip cotton swab can be used to trace lettering on a dry, sunlit stone IF PERMITTED.
' Spray bottle of pure water and a ' soft sponge -- to do a more-thorough, yet still-gentle, cleaning, PLUS to possibly enhance contrast/legibility of the inscription -- IF PERMITTED. (Use a GENTLE spray.)
... DO NOT SCRUB HARD! ...
' Scissors or clippers to trim encroaching grass and weeds IF PERMITTED. Don't pull roots that might destabilize stones!
' (Maybe) a spade -- to uncover stones that have gotten buried/overgrown IF PERMITTED. Don't scratch the stones!
' A bag to collect litter, garbage, etc. (No one would object to that!)
Bring locating & documenting supplies:
' A GPS unit [with the ability to save locations]. N.B. Some higher-end digital cameras include the ability to geotag photographs.
' A camera, preferably digital, so you can see before leaving the site whether the pictures actually show all possible detail. N.B. A polarizing filter may cut glare on newer, glossy/reflective stones; experiment with different angles, not straight-on. If your camera doesn't accept optional lenses, you can get an [oversized] one, and attach it removably with gaffer's tape.
' Plenty of spare batteries for the camera, GPS, flashlight, etc.!
' Paper and pencil(s) and/or pen(s) + ' eraser and ' sharpener -- to make notes of lat./long., address, inscriptions, directions to hard-to-find cemeteries, nearest towns, etc., plus any further details about your ancestors that local sources could provide.
[and/or] ' A netbook or other portable word processor might be better (i.e. more legible), but consider battery life and resistance to dirt/damage.
[and/or] ' An audio recorder can be an alternative/supplement to writing implements. N.B. SPELL any proper names, places, etc.! (Learning a 'pronunciation alphabet' -- e.g. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, etc. -- may be helpful.)
' A small whiteboard & ' dry erase marker -- write the cemetery name and location, & the grave location, on the board, and photograph it with the tombstone.
' A photo of the person, if you have it, to include in the headstone photo.
' 1 or more [large] white (or silver/mirrored) reflector -- to bounce light onto shaded portions of the stone, AND/OR possibly to shade portions of the stone receiving too much sun. N.B. This may be a basic posterboard (which can be propped against your tripod, or can actually stand on its own if folded vertically to make a V-shaped "footprint"), or you may simply use a piece of aluminum foil!
' A large (washable) opaque blanket, to create a mini darkroom "tent" over the gravestone [& you], to control lighting during the day.
- A portable lightbox or blacklight can be used in such a "tent" instead of a simple flashlight.
- Remember, oblique lighting enhances the relief/contrast.
IF some kind of rubbing/transfer is permitted, bring:
' Rubbing paper [or sewing interfacing? (Pellon?)], + ' soft charcoal/crayon, + ' fixative -- for rubbings IF PERMITTED. (N.B. Hairspray makes a cheap, readily available fixative, at least for paper.)
[or] ' Cheap (i.e. thin) aluminum foil, + ' a soft "pouncing"/dabbing paint/makeup brush -- to transfer an impression of the inscription IF PERMITTED.
[or] ' Aluminum foil, ' shaving cream, & ' a squeegee: One commenter suggested that foil relief-transfers offer a SAFE use for shaving cream (but you should still ASK PERMISSION!): Spray it onto the foil ONLY, then carefully squeegee the excess off (carefully disposing of it), then take a photo of the now high-contrast transfer.
- Foil reliefs (made by either method) are obviously not durable, so a clear photo is important.
Do NOT!!! use any of the following to bring out the contrast of worn inscriptions:
- Shaving cream -- horrible stuff, containing waxes, acids, organic compounds which microorganisms will feed and grow on, .... (If you've ever had to try to remove it from your house or car after Halloween pranksters strike, it's not easy!!!)
- Chalk (ESPECIALLY colored chalk), flour, cornstarch, or ANY substance applied directly to the stone -- It will NOT completely rinse away, esp. from porous older marble, limestone, etc., gravestones, and will cause discoloration.
- Any adhesive (tape or glue) applied directly onto the stone -- If you decide to do a rubbing, be sure to attach the paper/foil only to itself!
- Harsh (ESPECIALLY metal) brushes, or ANY strong abrasion or pressure.
... N.B. In some areas, some of these ill-advised methods are actually ILLEGAL & prosecutable as deliberate vandalism. ... It's a good idea to get permission from whoever maintains/owns the property before handling the stones at all.
- www.michigan.gov has a large, informative PDF titled "Historic Cemeteries Preservation Guide" <[www.michigan.gov/documents/hal_mhc_shpo_Cemetery_Guide_105082_7.pdf]>, containing many "Do"s and "Don't"s; use its Table of Contents to find what you need to know.
They advise against any sort of rubbing, for several reasons. For one thing, on fragile older stones, even doing a careful [charcoal] rubbing causes abrasion-damage from the grit trapped between the paper and the stone. However, if the whole cemetery looks like it's falling apart, you must use your best judgment -- and permission from any local family/property owner/church or civil authority whenever possible -- regarding what steps are justified in preserving neglected and deteriorating data before it's completely lost.
... If you have decided to go ahead and do a rubbing ...
- Be as gentle as possible to avoid excess pressure and abrasion, and to prevent tearing the paper [or foil], which might allow the charcoal or crayon to get on the stone itself.
- Do not use paper with high acid content (e.g. newsprint) or waxy surface coating, which may adversely affect the stone.
- Be sure to note on the edge where and when you made it, and then spray it with fixative if applicable. Don't get any spray on the stone!
- It's a good idea to preserve the rubbing or relief with a scan/photograph right away, in case of smears or inadvertent impressions.
... DON'T bring small and/or rambunctious children if you can't monitor them with your full attention! ... Children should not be allowed to play on or around gravestones both because they can do damage, and because they can get hurt! Make a separate visit to share ancestors' graves '- and their stories '- with your children.
DO take pictures and/or make notes of:
' The cemetery entrance/gate/name/sign -- first shot upon arriving and/or last shot before departure, to identify the photo-set's location!
' Any nearby landmarks, especially the associated church if applicable (incl. name, date constructed/established, etc.).
' A view of/from the end of the relevant row -- it's helpful for finding "your" plot at a later date.
' Note/save all relevant GPS locations. Also mark the grave(s) on the cemetery map, if you have one.
' Be sure to take before and after shots of any stone you clean and/or dampen! Don't delete all your imperfect 'before' photos of a given subject until you've achieved at least one 'after' shot that's definitely better!
' A close-up shot of the inscription, from SEVERAL angles and lightings, to get maximum readability of the full inscription.
- N.B. Fill-flash can be useful even on a sunny day, to brighten shadowed areas, especially if you can adjust the amount of flash output. Use an oblique angle to maintain contrast.
' A wider-angle view showing the full stone/plot, esp. for larger memorials. [Include the whiteboard w/location notes.]
' A wide-angle view showing the general "neighborhood" of stones -- again, to find it more easily later.
' Clear shots of any nearby stones, especially if they share the surname or occupy the same plot -- in fact, the more graves you can do, the better. This will not only benefit others when you post your pix and data online, but also you yourself, as your further discoveries may reveal other relatives that are buried in the same cemetery, whether or not they share the same surname!
You may also want to bring the following, to leave by your relatives' grave(s) when you depart:
' Several business cards, SASEs, or postcards containing your public contact info [e.g. email address] and info re. the family you're researching, so future [related] researchers can get in touch. Be sure they're either fully laminated or enclosed in a resealable plastic baggie.
' It's a nice idea to bring flowers (real or artificial) to put on your relatives' graves, or even on others that seem neglected.
- If you decorated a grave before taking its photograph, make sure the lettering isn't obscured, of course.
AFTERWARDS:
' When you download photos, mark each folder with the cemetery name and date.
' Crop and enhance your photos (e.g. +contrast), geotag them if necessary, and add all other relevant info to the file metadata.
- Even converting a photo to negative may help the contrast become more visible.
- You can use almost any graphics program to circle the exact grave location on wide-angle view(s), if you want.
' Post your pix and data to FindAGrave.com, Interment.net, and/or NamesInStone.com.
' Attach their gravestone photo(s) to each relevant individual on your family tree [at Ancestry.com].
' Add the GPS data to the Burial event for each individual [at Ancestry.com].
' Attach the cemetery entrance/name photo to ALL relevant individuals on your family tree -- this will make it easy to see everyone who's buried there, by simply clicking on that photo at Ancestry.com. (Same with the church, if applicable.)
' Any photos others have posted to FindAGrave or similar sites, that you'd like to use, ask permission before reproducing them. Ancestry.com's PUBLIC member photos are OK to use/share.
