Cemeteries are fascinating places, offering glimpses into the past through headstone inscriptions. However, weathering, lichen, and time can make some markers difficult to read. If you’re a genealogist, historian, or just someone with a passion for uncovering the past, here are some tricks to help you read those fading inscriptions.
1. Choose the Right Time of Day
Lighting plays a crucial role in reading inscriptions. Early morning or late afternoon sunlight creates shadows that can enhance the engraved text. Overcast days can also help by reducing glare, making faint letters easier to distinguish.
2. Use a Mirror to Redirect Light
A simple yet effective trick is using a small mirror to reflect sunlight across the inscription. By angling the light, you can make shallow engravings more visible without causing damage to the stone. See Past Preservation’s video below on how this is done.
3. Try a Flashlight at Night
Bring a flashlight if you can’t visit during the ideal daylight hours. Holding it at an angle rather than shining it directly can cast shadows on the engravings, making them easier to read. See CrazyCemeteryLady’s video below on how this is done.
4. Use Water to Enhance the Letters
Pouring water over the headstone can darken the letters, creating a contrast between the inscription and the stone surface. This is a safe and non-invasive method to bring out faded text.
5. Using Very Thin Foil
Using a soft brush, gently rub or press the foil against the surface of the stone, allowing the foil to follow the contours of the engraving. The goal is to make the light reflections on the foil accentuate the shallow carvings in the stone. The best foil I have found for this is the very thin and cheap foil from the dollar store. See Past Preservations video below on how this is done.
6. Photography and Digital Enhancement
A high-resolution camera or smartphone can capture inscriptions that are difficult to see with the naked eye. Using digital editing tools to adjust contrast and lighting can reveal hidden details.
7. Use a UV Light
Some inscriptions that are nearly invisible under normal light can be revealed using ultraviolet (UV) light. This trick works especially well on certain types of stone and older inscriptions.
8. Consult Cemetery Records
If a headstone is completely illegible, checking cemetery records, maps, or historical documents may help you confirm the information you’re looking for.
9. Join Online Communities
There are many genealogical and historical groups online that share tips and even digital archives of headstones. Sites like Find A Grave or BillionGraves can be valuable resources.
10. Gently Clean the Stone
There have been many times when cleaning the stone with D2 Biological Solution has helped in reading the stone. Please use caution when doing this. If the stone is weathered badly, crumbling, or not in good condition do not scrub the stone. Spray the D2 and walk away, the D2 will do its job and you can come back at a later date.
Do Not List: Caution When Handling Headstones
While there are several effective methods for reading inscriptions, there are also some techniques that should be avoided, as they can cause permanent damage to the headstone:
Rubbings: Rubbings involve applying pressure to the stone, and even with gentle rubbing, this can wear down the surface over time. Inscriptions, which may already be weathered or worn, could be further damaged or eroded by the rubbing process. This is especially true if the stone has cracks, or chips, or is made from softer materials like sandstone.
Chalk: Chalk is a soft substance that can leave a powdery residue on the surface of the headstone. Over time, this residue can build up and become difficult to remove. The powder can attract dirt, moisture, and other debris, which can further degrade the stone. The residue can also trap moisture against the stone’s surface, which accelerates weathering and potential decay, especially in humid or wet conditions.
Shaving Cream: Shaving cream contains a mix of chemicals, fragrances, and detergents that can break down the surface of a headstone. Even if it is applied gently, the ingredients in shaving cream can erode the stone over time. Monuments are porous and these substances can seep into the stone, weakening it or causing discoloration.
By using these techniques, you can unlock the stories that lie beneath years of wear and weathering, preserving history for generations to come. Have you ever uncovered an interesting inscription? Leave a comment with what it was!
This should give your readers more tools to safely and effectively read headstones while avoiding common mistakes!
With love,
TashasGraveAdventures
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