Wow! It is becoming clear what moves H-VA-History folks. I thought that
this inquiry would get a tepid response, but no! I remember asking folks at
Virginia State University what precautions I should take tramping around the
countryside of the Southside and got some of these same warnings about
snakes, etc. Having seen about 100 black snakes run over on country roads
by the time I got to Lunenburg and Mecklenburg Counties, I was too afraid to
walk through the little burial grounds to gather names from the tombstones.
Well, I am a city guy. Phebe, you have more courage than I.
Harold S. Forsythe
----- Original Message -----
From: "jmduke" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2006 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: cemetery
> Phebe,
>
> I've spent a good bit of time rummaging around old cemeteries and would
> suggest the following:
>
> Wear the heaviest shoes you've got.
>
> Wear socks and tuck the bottoms of the pants in the shoes, or if you've
> got boots wear them instead of the shoes. (Whatever you do, don't wear a
> dress.)
>
> Douse your socks as well as the bottoms of the pants and sleeves with a
> heavy, heavy, dose of "Off."
>
> Careful where you walk. Many graves in old cemeteries are badly sunken
> and you can easily trip and fall.
>
> Wear a long-sleeve shirt, no matter how hot it is, and button the sleves
> and the collar.
>
> Take a stick and run it around any tombstones before you stoop down to
> study them. That'll help with the snake problem. (Snakes, when the
> weather is hot, like to find cool places.)
>
> One of the great problems is chiggers, so as soon as you get home
> remove all clothing and take a good soapy shower. Make sure to wash
> completely under your arms and in the groin area. And for heaven's sake,
> don't put any of the clothes you wore to the cemetery back on.
>
> Yes talcum powder, flour of corn starch will help bring up info on the
> stones. (Flour's cheapest!)Take a paint brush so you can both apply it
> and then use the brush to also remove it from outside the lettering.
> You might want to take a strong flashlight and use it to skim the light
> across the lettering from the side. Side lighting works best to bring
> up detail.
>
> I hope this helps. Happy hunting!
>
> Maurice Duke
>
>
>
>
>
> Phebe wrote:
>
>> I have finally located an old cemetery and have gotten permission,
>> from the
>> owner, to walk through it. The cemetery is very old and the owner
>> tells me
>> that she remembers her grandmother telling her that people came in the
>> 1930's to look at it. Since then no one has been in there to look or
>> clean.
>>
>> My question to the group: what dangers await me in an old cemetery.
>> What
>> should I look out for (snakes etc.). How best can I protect myself.
>>
>> I have been told to take baking flour -- that will help bring the old
>> carvings out.
>>
>> Any more tips or advise.
>>
>> thanks for your help.
>>
>> Phebe Morgan
>>
>> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
>> at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
>>
>>
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
> at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
|
