Mike wrote --

> We have an old family cemetary which has switched hands.  Most of the
> gravestones are no longer legible

  Friend of mine is a genealogist and whenever he's back in town he
explores forgotten family grave sites.  (The current family is some distance away).  
  I've gone with him a few times and these are usually on top of some weed
and brush covered hill in the middle of nowhere.
  We would first look for slight depressions in the ground then carefully
move things in the way (it was usually in early winter so leaves, etc). 
  Many times the markers were very weathered and illegible.  Some times he
could make a rubbing of them.  (Place thin paper on the stone, rub a pencil
all over and that would give something once in a while).  Also photographing
the whole site.  Making grids o
  One small family plot, (less than 50 graves) would be an all day project. 
And unless he knew how many where there I'm sure some where lost.
  Many of the head stones were missing, broken, tossed aside and not near
anything.     

> and started moving the headstones.  Luckily, a family member who is in
> that area & who still tends to it caught him.  In Kentucky, that is
> actually illegal, even if it is on your property. 

  Some people have no respect.
  What if that were his family, would he do the the same thing?

> Since that grandfather's father's grave has long since been lost (we
think it is under a small strip mall in Pike County, KY)

  Sort of like the body of Richard III being found in a parking lot several
years ago?  :)
  Joe
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