Kyle, I have read the Cemetery Laws from front to back, and I have not found
one word that specifically forbids Probing for buried, broken stones. The
whole Idea in getting protective Laws passed for "Pioneer" cemeteries was to
protect,and restore them to a sensible state. The reason we went to the
meeting at the Falls Of The Ohio Interpretive Center in October and met with
Rep. Markt Lytle and other Reps. and a State Senator was to get protective
Laws passed. We did not expect that the very laws, such as having to be
recorded on the deed to whatever property they were found to be on would in
any way prevent us from probing. The DNR Representative at the meeting said
their policy was if we don't record them,no one will know where they are and
they will be safe from vandals and thieves. We disagreed, and said if we
know where they are they can be better protected from people vandalizing
them. I receive calls about small cemeteries from a lot of people describing
small one or two stones, and asking me if I know about them. I don't get all
of the information,but they are probably all ready known to someone anyhow. I
hope the fact that the INPCRP is known around the state as Protectors, and
not thieves or vandals will give us some leeway. If we should all quit
working on abandoned, or cemeteries that need our help, Who will clean them
up. It certainly wont be the DNR, they cant. the Job is to big, and you cant
buy the help we Donate. It was never intended for us to be buried in paper
work every time we look for a piece of missing stone. I hope this will not be
the case! I am working on a cemetery in Floyd Co. I have a Letter from
the Twp. Trustee authorizing the cleanup and restoration, and thanking me
personally for overseeing this Project. Now if you are going to work on one
the Trustee doesn't have control of, Then you should research the records and
find out who does. Get written permission, or even verbal from a responsible
Party and under the Law you should be covered. ? I can't guarantee this.
Sorry about the Length, I could make this 2 or 3 pages longer, but this all
for now, If I am wrong on anything in here someone please let me know, I
wont be offended. And the permission slip (unofficially) is a wonderful idea
Lois
Jack
Briles