updates!

Hello all, it's been a while since I've updated this blog...my apologies. Not sure who all is still out there reading, but I'd love to revitalize it and post more about Philadelphia cemeteries. (We certainly have enough to keep the blog going.) If anyone has suggestions for what you'd like to see here, please let me know, and keep an eye out for more posts soon.

Billion Graves makes grave finding easier

If you hadn't have an opportunity yet, take a look at the new app from Billion Graves, that allows you to geocode gravesites though a simple app from your smartphone.

I'm thinking several Philadelphia graves in states of disrepair could be a great candidate for this. What do you think?

Volunteering Opportunity tomorrow

Historic Eden Cemetery Preservation Project
Saturday, June 18
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
1434 Springfield Road
Collingdale, PA 19023


MLK365, in partnership with the Friends of Historic Eden Cemetery, Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and 900-AM WURD Radio is organizing a day of volunteering and photojournalism at Historic Eden Cemetery.

Volunteers are needed to help preserve Eden's history by taking photographs and documenting the conditions of headstones, which will be archived following the completion of the project. Some cameras will be available for volunteers to use, but please bring your own digital cameras or smart phones for use in the project.
RSVP to volunteer. Questions? Contact Victoria Ford at (215) 665-2595 or vford@globalcitizen.us.com.

See you there!

Mount Moriah Closed?

It's been much too long since I've posted here...my apologies. Life has been busy, but when I heard the news about Mt. Moriah today, I had to post.

You can read more about the closing here. I found out myself when I was contacted by a member of the Friends of Mt. Moriah group. Longtime advocates of the cemetery, they're watching what's happening closely and hope for a positive outcome, as do I. As the story reports, many people have descendants buried at this cemetery, and the condition of it now is deplorable.

If you'd like to help, please contact the Friends. I'll also try and post more information here when I have it.

I was encouraged to learn that one of the local high school teachers gives his students a graveyard project. They pick a grave at the Woodlands Cemetery and then have to research the person whose grave they've chosen, then present a report about it.

I've helped a few of the students research, and I could almost see the bug biting!

Christ Church graveyard

Yesterday, I got to go graveyard wandering with a fellow genealogist--it's always a pleasure when you have friends that share your quirky hobbies!

He was on the hunt for a specific grave, while I was more interested in seeking out unusual headstones. I took a few pictures, including this marker I found fascinating. I bought a book on gravestone symbolism the other week...I need to look this one up and see what it means.

So many of the gravestones are worn away by time and the elements. Just reminded me again how so much in life is ephemeral.

I also put a few pennies on Ben Franklin's grave...we'll see if it brings me any luck. I love the epitaph he wrote for himself!

Save Jewish Graves

I had the opportunity this past week to attend the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies Conference on Jewish Genealogy. While my own roots (to the best of my knowledge) are not Jewish, my grandparents migrated from an area of Poland/the Ukraine, Galicia, where many Jewish people come from. I felt fortunate to sit in on these sessions and learn more about so much of the history and culture of that region (both painful and fascinating).

I'd like to encourage you to visit the website of The Association for the Preservation of Abandoned Jewish Cemeteries. The organization is located here in Philadelphia, and their mission is to help restore these cemeteries, as well as educate individuals about the conditions that exist, and encourage volunteers to assist in the cleanup efforts.

If you've been looking for a volunteer project, maybe this is your opportunity!