====== Cemetery Research and Preservation ======

The National Park Service and the Association for Graveyard Studies offer a great deal of information regarding cemetery preservation and documentation.

  * [[http://ncptt.nps.gov/articles/cemetery-conservation|Cemetery Conservation]]
  * [[https://gravestonestudies.org/knowledge-center/faq-s|Association of Graveyard Studies]]
  * [[https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/preservedocs/preservation-briefs/48Preserve-Brief-GraveMarkers.pdf|NPS Preservation Briefs for Grave Markers]]

===== Kentucky Cemetery Laws =====
Please familiarize yourself with the Kentucky Cemetery Laws, especially **KRS 433.660** and **KRS 525.115** Violating Graves. Violation of these statutes is considered vandalism and is a punishable offense. Remember: just because someone doesn't have malicious intent, doesn't mean they aren't violating the law.
  * [[http://www.kykinfolk.org/estill/cemetery/laws.htm|Kentucky Cemetery Laws]]
  * [[Boone County Zoning Regulations- Cemeteries]]
===== Boone County Cemetery Guidelines =====
==== Cemetery Access ====

Property owners must provide access to descendants of those buried in the cemetery, but can determine frequency of access. However, permission to access the property may be denied to anyone who is not a descendant. Anyone accessing private property without explicit permission from the property owner is subject to trespassing laws. It is advised that you receive confirmation in writing before proceeding on private property.
  * [[http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/property/2006/03/grave_matters_1.html|Grave Matters: Accessing Cemeteries on Private Property]] 

==== Grave Stone Cleaning ====

D/2 Biological Cleaner is approved for use in all Boone County cemeteries (as well as the National Park Service). BCPL staff have used it in several cemeteries in the county and the results are excellent. It is the best non-invasive way to clean stones. Basically, you spray dry stones with a 2:1 or 3:1 solution/water mix and let it go. It works over a period of three to six months with no scrubbing. Samples of the D/2 product are available upon request. Please contact localhistory@bcpl.org for more information.

  * [[http://d2bio.com/|Information about D/2 Biological Cleaner]]
  * [[http://ncptt.nps.gov/wp-content/uploads/CMC-Cleaning-Booklet-EN.pdf|Basic Monument Cleaning]]

==== Grave Stone Photography: Do's & Don'ts ====
  * DO leave all stones in place where they lay.
  * DO use a SOFT bristle brush to remove loose debris from stone.
  * DO spray the face of the stone lightly with water or D/2 cleaner ONLY to enhance the inscription.
  * DO use mirrors or a flashlight to reflect light to enhance the inscriptions.
  * DO use an umbrella, blanket, etc. to shade the stone to enhance the inscription.
  * DO use a black and white camera filter/film, etc. to enhance the inscription.
  * DO remember you are a visitor for a short time.

  * DO NOT move any stone from it's current location. (Current placement is key to identifying grave location.)
  * DO NOT dig up any buried stones. (Current placement is key to identifying grave location.)
  * DO NOT lay any foreign object directly on the stone. (Stone may be fragile or unstable.)
  * DO NOT use chalk on inscriptions. (Think of chalk as fine sand paper, which erodes over time.)
  * DO NOT do "rubbings" of inscriptions. (Some of the stones are not sturdy and may tip/break under pressure.)

==== Grave Stone Repair ====

The Boone County Planning Commission, the Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board and the Boone County Public Library advise that grave stone repair only be conducted by a professional mason. Standard practice is to leave buried stones buried- the ground actually keeps erosion at a minimum. What cemetery preservationists have found over time is that epoxies accelerate erosion around the repair. We in Boone County understand this is a conservative approach to tombstone repair, but we have seen well-intentioned repairs go wrong over a period of years and decades.

  * [[http://gravestoneguardians.com/?page_id=16|Examples of repair and cleaning gone wrong]]

==== Volunteer Activities & Expectations ====

Volunteers like yourself have done tremendous work within Boone County cemeteries by cleaning away invasive weeds and brush, petitioning owners to erect fences and photo documenting standing stones. We appreciate the time and effort you are making to help us maintain our greatest historic asset in a manner appropriate to the long term preservation and maintenance of these resources. We expect every researcher to follow cemetery preservation guidelines and best practices.

  * [[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=listFaqs#88|Find A Grave Guidelines for photographing stones]]
  * [[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=listFaqs#96|Find A Grave Guidelines for cleaning stones]]

===== Additional Topics =====
  * [[https://bcp.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/search/asset/39322/0|Guidelines for Relocating Family Cemeteries in Boone Co.]]
  * [[cemeteries|Cemeteries]]