The simplest method is stone rubbing -- putting a heavy paper (to avoid
bleed-through) over the inscription and rubbing lightly/gently  with rubbing
chalk or crayon.  The AASLH has published A GRAVEYARD PRESERVATION PRIMER
(by Lynette Strangstad) that describes the procedure, and lists additional
sources of information -- including the Association for Gravestone Studies
in Needham MA and the Center for Thanatology Research in Brooklyn NY.  Stone
rubbing poses some risk to the artifact, if in fragile condition, so caution
is advised.

This PRIMER also has some suggestions for community-based cemetery
activities that might be of some interest or use in your situation.

Maura

-----Original Message-----
From: Pat Morrissey <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, September 07, 1999 9:48 PM
Subject: Grave Markers


>While at a town meeting in East Haven the Historic Commission discussed the
>town's cemetery and with sites over 200 years old and original stones of
>slate,
>marking on the stones are almost non-existent. What method or equipment, if
>any, is
>available to "read" the impressions/names/dates on the stone which may not
be
>visible to the naked eye?
>P J Morrissey
>ConSpec Associates, Inc.
>www.conspec-rep.com
>203-467-4426
>203-469-2352 Fax
>888-250-7908 Beeper
>917-209-5363 Mobile