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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Best Cemetery Ever -- I Hope your Ancestors were Buried Here at Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, MA

The first cemetery I visited was 10 years after I began doing research. On a cold but sunny January day, in 1999 I discovered my 2nd great-grandfather was buried in Salem, Massachusetts (after reading his Illinois obituary). When I called the cemetery, I reached the nicest receptionist who confirmed that indeed my ancestor was buried there, along with many other Pooles. Within 45 minutes I was there!

Harmony Grove isn't a small cemetery, it is huge and on a large hill. My ancestor and immediate family were buried feet from the main road, so I was fortunate to locate them quickly, with a help of a map. With too many new names for me to digest, I returned a week later, and was given two detailed packets of information (one shown below), in addition, the receptionist went through their books and wrote out all the information for each individual! Information like their parents, age, cause of death, spouse, and so forth. Must have taken hours to do it. On my 3rd trip, I brought her a box of fudge, and wrote a letter of recommendation for her file.

After all these years, I still remember how helpful she was, and that was the only time I brought a gift or wrote a letter. A few months ago I was thinking about her and called the cemetery, and the same wonderful Administrative Assistant answered. We chatted like old friends...she remembered me, the name, the fudge, and how excited I was. When I found out she was retiring in two years, I said I would be back, and she suggested lunch. What a nice gesture. 



Below are the excellent records for my Poole family as supplied by Harmony Grove Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts. The earliest was in 1796, a transfer from another cemetery.