You can learn a lot by reading your ancestor’s gravestone. Sometimes, though, a genealogist will arrive at the cemetery and find that the gravestone they were hoping to read is covered with plant life, dirt, or other debris. Be very careful about how you attempt to clean off that stone! You could accidentally be causing damage.
Put down the power washer! Genealogists need to realize that gravestones, especially really old ones, are fragile. Don’t let your excitement about finally locating your ancestor’s grave urge you to end up damaging it. Things will work out much better if you take the time to learn about how to properly clean a gravestone.
In general, gentleness is the key. You are going to have to be patient with the process of cleaning off a gravestone. Much can be achieved by using a soft sponge that has been soaked in plain old water. A little bit of scrubbing can ease away the dirt and grime that has collected on the headstone.
Genealogists should bring a nice, soft, sponge, and a bucket with them to the graveyard. It is also a good idea to bring a few bottles of water with you. Some cemeteries might have places in them where you can access water, but most of them will not. If you bring some bottles of water along with you, then you won’t be “stuck” without it when you need it the most.
Is the gravestone covered with lichen? If so, then you probably want to scrape it off. Do not use a hard, wire, brush for this task! You could end up scraping away important parts of the gravestone.
Instead, you will need to get the lichen wet. (This is another good reason to bring along some bottles of water). Use the edge of a credit card to gently scrape off the lichen.
If your ancestor is buried in a cemetery that is extremely old, there is potential that no one is cleaning it, or doing the necessary gardening maintenance for it, anymore. You might find that your ancestor’s stone is covered by, or hidden in, a large amount of weeds.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a pair of gardening gloves with you on your trip to cemetery. You might need to clear away the weeds that are blocking your ancestor’s gravestone. There is potential that you could hurt your hands if you decide to try and pull out stubborn weeds. The protection that comes from a good pair of gardening gloves can be very helpful.
Image by John Ford on Flickr