There was an item on our local news yesterday

[HeiressofBickworth]

that has implications for the genealogy community. It seems that "metal thieves" have expanded their crimes from stripping houses of metals to taking the metal plaques from tombstones in cemeteries. This utterly deplorable act could cause information to be lost to future generations. If there is no one who can replace the metal plaques, and the cemeteries can't afford to, the information is gone. I know in my research I've visited many graveyards that were no longer in business but still physically in existence. I've gleaned information off the tombstones. There is a glimmer of hope for those who can replace the plaques. There is a company in Portland OR (sorry, didn't catch the name) that has developed a stone replacement that looks like the metal which has been stolen but has no commercial value to thieves. The news said they intend to go national soon.

[kdmorris]

1. I would be so angry

to pin down an ancestor to a particular cemetery and then be unable to find them because someone stole their head stone.

I'm glad there's someone trying to make headstones that have no value to thieves (though they are still of tremendous value to us!).

[Sherman A1]

2. Interesting

Thanks for posting.

[The Genealogist]

3. People do some disgusting things

Stealing metal from a tombstone is just wrong to me, on a fundamental level. I wonder how many people do it out of meanness, how many do it just to enrich themselves, and how many do it because it means they get to eat a meal they could not have afforded otherwise. Considering there are cemeteries of all sizes in all kinds of environments, rural and urban, I wonder how many graves have been desecrated in this fashion that relatives will not discover for years. Most of my immediate family have plain old granite or other rock stones. Most of them are also a long way and I cannot afford to even travel to see if damages has been done.

[shraby]

4. I've been trying to photograph (or get photographs) of all the tombstones

in the county I live in. I have quit a few totally photographed. Once that's done, the stone will never deteriorate any more.
If you have a digital camera, you can take over 200 pics at one visit, then post them on find-a-grave.

[TuxedoKat]

5. What a great idea

It would be a good community service project for a Girl or Boy Scout Troop.

[HeiressofBickworth]

6. Thank you!!!!

It's an enormous undertaking! What a valuable tool for researchers in your area.