Reading headstones

elverstown · 29-06-2014 4:02pm #1

Hi all,
I was in a graveyard this morning, and found two headstones that I hadn't noticed before and i think may be relative to my research, 1828 and a couple of names that I recognize. What caught my attention was that someone had recently scraped or hard brushed several stones and showed up a surname I knew.
What is an acceptable way of making stones more readable?
I have done a search here and YouTube, but what works? flour? shadows/angled light?
cordless angle-grinder with wire brush;)

Jellybaby1 · 29-06-2014 4:55pm

I have just used a few squirts of water, worked for me.

annieoburns · 29-06-2014 4:58pm

Yes wetting a stone is the least damaging method and maybe view in evening light or when low angle to sunlight.

pinkypinky · 29-06-2014 8:40pm

You could also use a soft brush (like dustpan brush) in conjunction with the water, to get dirt out of the writing.

Wyldwood · 29-06-2014 10:12pm

A tip I once got from a groundsman in a graveyard was to rub the name on the headstone with a handful of damp grass. It worked for me.

elverstown · 29-06-2014 11:36pm

thanks,
was trying to post a pic. or link, but system wont let me.

Sulla Felix · 29-06-2014 11:40pm

Take a picture when light is falling at an angle, transfer it to a pc and invert the colours. Helps a lot with very old inscriptions I find where lichen can mess with the brains pattern matching software.

Hermy · 30-06-2014 8:36am

First off - please don't use a wire brush or other abrasive as this will damage the stone.

Washing the stone with a soft brush and water is grand to clean off the muck.
And a wet stone is often easier to read than a dry one.
Sunshine is a great help and depending on which way the stone faces early morning or late evening can be the best.
Flour is good for reading very worn stones but it does leave a residue.
Something else that works really well is newsprint - the thin light weight paper on which newspapers are produced.
Place your piece of newsprint against the stone and then rub it with a sponge covered with carbon tracing paper.
This can be a very successful way of bringing up a worn image without damaging the stone.
A strong torch placed in line with the writing is another good method.

elverstown · 30-06-2014 8:47am

Thanks Hermy,
The wire brush was being a bit cheeky, but to do a rubbing I think I would need to remove some of the lichens? and ivy creepers, I was trying to upload a picture, anyone know how?

Sulla Felix · 30-06-2014 9:52pm

elverstown wrote: »

Thanks Hermy,
The wire brush was being a bit cheeky, but to do a rubbing I think I would need to remove some of the lichens? and ivy creepers, I was trying to upload a picture, anyone know how?

Use photobucket or something like that and just post a link. Think you still count as a "new" user since your post count is so low.

L1011 · 01-07-2014 8:37am

"new" users can't post links either - bit of an issue on here where often new posters need to give us links!

pinkypinky · 01-07-2014 9:51am

What you need is a nice flame war on a subject you're passionate about: that will rack up the posts.

elverstown · 01-07-2014 3:21pm

Thanks,
+1,
On a side note, did a night class in Naas with Mario Corrigan and James D? last year, very good and well attended.
D

Sulla Felix · 01-07-2014 6:04pm

MYOB wrote: »

"new" users can't post links either - bit of an issue on here where often new posters need to give us links!

can post the address though if the http/www is left off.

elverstown · 02-07-2014 12:15am

plus.google.com/u/0/photos?pid=6030329386215839762&oid=104650761098038079205
I'll get there eventually.

Reading headstones

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