Diamond Jubilee

Royal Watchers: here is the link for the Diamond Jubilee for her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth:
http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/, who has carried out her duties with grace and dignity for many years. A true lady.

Tombstone preservation assistance

I recently received a request for information on the preservation of tombstones. 

And, while I have not used the organizations listed below, am providing this information as a public service. 

Over the years, much damage has been done by avid photographers, using shaving cream or other substances. 

Chemicals can cause a great deal of damage. 

With the advances in digital photography, we can enhance an image, and do not need to apply anything to the stone which could irreparably damage it.

On a cloudy day, bring a flashlight. 

I have long been a proponent of good old fashioned chalk, which is at least a natural substance.

In addition to documenting a gravestone using photography, many of us are faced with repairing stones after improper repairs have caused further damage -- concrete, caulk, sealers.

Sometimes the challenge to legibility indicates a need for wording to be re-incised.

None of these are tasks for amateurs.

So, for professional guidance, please consider the links below:

The Association for Gravestone Studies     http://www.gravestonestudies.org/

The American Institute for Conservation of Artistic & Historic Works     http://www.conservation-us.org/

Monument Conservation Collaborative     http://mcc-monument-conservation.com/

Custom Building & Restoration Trades Directory     http://www.restorationtradesdirectory.com/stone_restoration_conservation

Gravestone Preservation Info     http://www.gravestonepreservation.info/

To follow my blog, sign up at  http://corneliabush.blogspot.com/

Great resource for American Military Records

This year presents two major anniversaries for Americans, 50 years apart: 200 years ago, we were engaged in the War of 1812, which some people regard as the American Revolution, Part 2. 150 years ago, we were fighting the American Civil War.
To put this in perspective, if your family came here to the land of opportunity before the Revolution started, then fought and survived it, their children and/or their grandchildren fought and survived the War of 1812, and their children and/or their granchildren fought in the War between the States, and their children and/or grandchildren fought in at least one of the two World Wars.


We are survivors, which is why Americans are a tough breed.
To see my favorite resource for these events, go to http://www.fold3.com/


To follow my blog, sign up at  http://corneliabush.blogspot.com/

Orange County NY Probate Records go online

Thanks to an Agreement between the Orange County Surrogate's Office and the Genealogy Society of Utah, the early Probate Records are being digitized and made available to the public. This is an ongoing project. 

To view these records, go to http://www.orangecountygov.com/history and look for the Genealogy Section.

For more information about the Orange County Surrogate Court and its records, go to http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/9jd/orange/surrogates.shtml

To follow my blog, sign up at  http://corneliabush.blogspot.com/

Commonwealth Approves Changes to Royal Succession

I applaud this decision of the British Commonwealth, recognizing both the abilities of women to lead, and the inappropriateness of its former anti-Catholic position which dated back to the fall of the House of Stewart hundreds of years ago. Thank you, Mr. Cameron.

"PERTH, Australia—In a historic move that ushers in a new era for Britain's monarchy, rules governing succession to the throne will be changed to allow first-born females to succeed ahead of their male siblings and allow future rulers to marry a Catholic.

British Prime Minister David Cameron secured the agreement with the 16 nations that share Queen Elizabeth as their head of state during a meeting here of Commonwealth nations, a loose association of 54 countries that owes its origins largely to the British Empire.

Mr. Cameron said the changes will overturn hundreds of years of tradition but were needed to ensure the monarchy better reflects modern society.

'Attitudes have changed fundamentally over the centuries," the prime minister told reporters. "The idea that the younger son should become monarch instead of an elder daughter, simply because he is a man, or that a future monarch can marry someone of any faith except a Catholic, this way of thinking is at odds with the modern countries we have all become.'

In effect, Mr. Cameron said if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were to have a first-born female, that child would be in line for the throne."

Full article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203554104577002922751910902.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

To follow my blog, sign up at  http://corneliabush.blogspot.com/