CARMARTHENSHIRE-L Archives

Archiver > CARMARTHENSHIRE > 2000-03 > 0952060780


From: "bluecelt" <>
Subject: Re: Monument Inscriptions
Date: Fri, 3 Mar 2000 00:19:40 -0500


Ron,
>From what everyone is saying about Welsh weather, I was getting an image of
a guy sitting in the rain with a laptop (with an extension cord???). Seems
like a good way to become a permanent resident instead of a recorder of
MI's.

I forgot to mention before that in addition to the shaving cream I also took
along a handheld microcassette recorder and simply read the headstones. I
also recorded directions to the cemeteries I visited, and described the
locations of family members' stones in the cemetery (i.e., 2nd road past the
main entrance, go NW 50 yards, 3rd row, twelfth marker, etc.), and anything
else I wanted to remember. I transcribed the info later, at home, and was
pleased that I had myself a pretty detailed & permanent verbal account of
things. It's also handy since you can make a record of what you THINK
something says, or who someone is (much easier and alot faster than trying
to take notes of all that). You can pick up a recorder for under $40, and
the ones with two recording speeds will let you put 2 hours onto a 60 minute
tape; also voice activated. Easy to carry alot of the small tapes (and
batteries) and they shouldn't be affected by airport scanners.

One last idea. Since you are looking to record alot of MI's, and will
probably encounter many difficult-to-read ones, if you do want to go well
armed for possibly making alot of "rubbings", you might want to take along a
roll of "onion skin" tracing paper. Engineers and architects use this to
overlay over a drawing and sketch on it without writing on the original. It
comes in rolls of various widths (maybe as wide as 3 feet) so you can cover
the whole stone with one piece, then tear it off. We get it from a company
that sells blueprint supplies, but probably any art supplies store would
have it. It's fairly durable, but won't stand up to rain!

Happy hunting. I'd say go for all the information you can get and worry
about formatting it later.

Tom

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronald E. Lund" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2000 10:42 AM
Subject: Re: Monument Inscriptions


> Pauline, Tom, and Carmsman
>
> Thanks for the ideas and suggestions. I have access to a global satellite
> positioner and plan to take it along. For hard to read stones I have
> thought of a "rubbings" approach using paper and charcoal but shaving
cream
> sounds quicker. I thought the easiest way would be to enter data straight
> away into my computer off the monuments. A portable table for the laptop
> would be good. Battery life is a concern. Would have to have multiple
> batteries or a long extension cord. Have thought that difficult to read
> monuments would be identified by position and then left for later rather
> than labor over them. Try to get as much input as fast as possible.
> Digital camera is an interesting thought but seems expensive even if I can
> get access to one. I'll look into this one more.
> I will work with the local vicar to make sure he/they know what is
> happening.
>
> I was thinking there might be some sort of practice developed for
recording
> the data (how much, what to include, what to not include, use welsh or
> convert to English, that sort of thing). I have only seen one work done
on
> the Rhydabont chapel near Llanybydder. That work seemed to use a grid
> numbering system that allowed relationship reference as monuments were
> recorded. It also included dates and ages. I am beginning to think that
it
> is more likely done in whatever ways best meets the needs of the
extractors.
> Is there any already established system that anyone knows about or has
> someone learned the hard way?
>
> By the way my itinerary is as follows:
> March 27th arrive Cardiff about noon and drive to Llanwenog spend the day
in
> preparation.
> 28th MI recording
> 29th Go to my "for pay" day job
> 30th More day job
> 31 Back to Llanwenog for MI recording
> April 1 Continue MIs
> April 2 MIs part of the day and then must leave to be in Belgium that
> evening.
>
> I have seen a hotel by the name of High Mead. Anyone know anything about
> this hotel. I'd like one close to the work. Suggestions appreciated.
>
> Again thanks to all. Ron
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Carmsman <>
> To: <>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2000 5:24 PM
> Subject: Re: Monument Inscriptions
>
>
> > I have considered myself to undertake this...however the neatest
solution
> I
> > guess would be quite expensive:
> > i. identifying a grave, within a churh yard, easiest solution is a
global
> > sattelite position within a church yard; is it capable of an
> identification
> > within one third of a metre...eg 1 foot?
> > ii. it would be quicker to record the inscription on a digi cam and then
> > enter it onto a database using the satellite record of location.
> > iii. how do you record headstones that are sunk without decription..
have
> > seen them.
> > iv. how do you record headstones that are difficult to transcribe
because
> > the stone work has deteriorated? Big problem in Wales because it is so
> wet.
> > Surely the military has a solution for all of this.
> >
> > Don't want to appear stupid but if you can hit a building in Bagdad with
> > satlitte coms then you can deal with these questions? ask Washington.
> >
> > Let me know what you think.
> >
> > I have tried what you are trying to achieve and it's laborius
> >
> > Get on with it.......
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Ronald E. Lund <>
> > To: <>
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2000 3:20 AM
> > Subject: Monument Inscriptions
> >
> >
> > > I am interested in collecting (on computer) monument inscriptions from
> the
> > parishes of Pencarreg and Llanwenog. I plan to conduct some of this
work
> > the last week of March. This is the first time I have done this. I
would
> > appreciate knowing of established procedures and practices for this
work.
> > >
> > > I have plans to do some of this work the last week of March
> > >
> > > a.. If you know of pre-existing work of this sort I would very much
> > > appreciate learning of it.
> > > b.. If there are others who would be interested in helping or
> > > participating with me I would like to learn of it also.
> > > If you can refer me or direct me forward it would be much appreciated.
> > >
> > > I am
> > > Ronald E. Lund
> > > Michigan, USA
> > > email =
> > >
> >
>

This thread: