William Jerry (Champ) Champion has created a YouTube video that shows a quick and easy way to read and photograph grave markers that are worn or have become discolored. In years past, genealogists have used a variety of materials to improve legibility of tombstones, from shaving cream to chalk and a variety of other materials. However, most of those methods reportedly damage the stone to some extent. Many of the materials are abrasive and also may leave chemicals behind that cause long-term damage. However, Champ claims the use of flour creates no damage.
Not everyone agrees. Some so-called "experts" will tell you that flour is harmful because it can penetrate into small pores of the stone, and, when wet, the flour will swell and can cause flaking of the stone. Some also claim that flour contains yeast, which encourages the growth of lichens and micro-organisms that can then live and grow in the stone, causing expansion and cracking. Technically, flour does not contain yeast when first ground. However, yeast floats in the air most everywhere and may land on flour, where it may flourish.
I do question the qualifications of all these so-called "experts." I therefore turned to the Association for Gravestone Studies' web site as this is the nationally-recognized expert organization. I'd believe whatever the Association for Gravestone Studies says. The Association's web site at http://www.gravestonestudies.org/faq.htm has a long list of things to never do, and it cautions, "Don't use shaving cream, chalk, graphite, dirt, or other concoctions in an attempt to read worn inscriptions." Flour is not mentioned although it might qualify as an "other concoction."
The Texas Historical Commission's web site has an online brochure at http://www.thc.state.tx.us/publications/guidelines/Preservecem.pdf that cautions to never use flour, but the qualifications of the author(s) are not listed.
Fact or fiction? The video shows that the use of flour is very effective; but does it cause long-term damage? I don't have a degree in chemical engineering or any expertise in the growth of micro-organisms, so I won't make any judgment. I'll let others decide. However, until I see something in writing from a person whose credentials give some assurance of the person's expertise, I won't be using flour for any of my tombstone work.
You can watch the "flour video" at http://youtu.be/WVBMNVqGhck or click on the image below.
My thanks to Leonard McCown for telling me about this video.
If you enjoyed this article, Tweet it, share it on Google+, Facebook or on your preferred social network.
Republishing of this article in newsletters, blogs, and elsewhere is allowed and encouraged. Details may be found at http://goo.gl/hoHH1.
Of course, if you haven’t done so already, you should join my email newsletter mailing list to stay current on my latest articles and announcements. You can also cancel at any time within seconds. I promise to never, ever send you any unrequested e-mail, other than newsletter updates.
