Please be aware that in some areas, using flour, shaving cream, etc., directly on headstones is prohibited, and with good reason.  The do not always wash away, and may contain chemicals, oils, emoillents, bacteria etc., that may stain or damage the delicate headstones.  I would encourage you to make a rubbing of the headstones you are interested in, rather than risk this.  This site gives good basic information on how to do that, and the materials involved. http://www.ancestryprinting.com/headstone.html

  Colleen Formby
  Special Collections Librarian, Maryland Room
  Prince Georges County Library System


Phebe <[log in to unmask]> 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

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Colleen Formby
http://www.geocities.com/col90/civilwar.html
AGSAS
http://www.agsas.org

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