February 15

Another gray day and supposed to get a bit cooler. I'm happy to report that the birds seem to like my homemade seed cake.
I have to scratch my head about what stories to post on here as some of you have read pretty well everything already but I also like to keep it interesting (I hope) for those who haven't read my stuff.
 So here's one - very short - not really a story as it is for practical use. I'll try and find something better for tomorrow.

FOR GENEALOGISTS

A Genealogy Tool – The Graving Kit

I am no longer quite sure how the idea of developing a Graving Kit became a reality.  It started off as a bit of a joke, but the idea was based on some previous experiences and the knowledge that on the day that the idea moved past the talking stage into an actual kit, four of us  were just starting out to visit several cemeteries.

What is a Graving Kit?  To answer that, think about how many cemeteries you have visited and found the individual sites of your kin to be in a condition less than satisfactory.  Even if the cemeteries are regularly tended, individual graves usually need some attention.  Why not do a little maintenance while you are there? Maybe your efforts will be rewarded with a spiritual connection!

There are any number of ways you can develop your kit and any number of items that can be included.  Here’s what we did.  We made up a list of what we thought should be the basic tools,  keeping in mind that the kit needed to be portable and practical and then made our first stop at a Thrift Store.  What we couldn’t find there we supplemented by a visit to other stores and from home supplies.

Kit Inventory

Packsack, small, well constructed.

Spray bottle (plastic)

Glass/Tile scraper plus spare blades

Trowel, (small, pointed)

Knife, (4”  blade)

Grass trimmer (hand size)

Clippers( for twigs and small branches)

Brush ( medium bristles)

Whisk broom

Water container

Bleach (mixed weak)

Chalk (different colors)

Hand cleaner

Rags

Camera.  If you can you should have both a digital and a conventional camera.

Measuring Tape

Sketch Book

Pencils

There may be some question as to the last three items .  In some of the older cemeteries, particularly those that are on private property, some of the family plot lines have deteriorated and often the information on the stones is hard to read due to deterioration.  It is good to try and redefine the boundaries, make a rough sketch and write in what information is still legible. Take pictures of the stones and their environs.

One reminder, be careful while doing your cleanup!  Weather and time take their toll on all of these sites, you don’t want to accelerate natures processes.