MD-BaltimoreCity-L Archives

From: "Jane Thursby" <>
Subject: [MD-BaltimoreCity] Greenmount and Baltimore Cemetery
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2003 11:19:41 -0400

I have been seeing comments about various cemeteries and just want to share
what I know from my many visits.

GREENMOUNT is still an active cemetery. Yes, it is located in a very bad
section of Baltimore but once you enter through the castle you will find a
beautiful oasis.

I have many family members buried there and often visit and picnic near
their plots. Greenmount is still selling plots and in fact former major and
governor Schaeffer has recently purchase a plot there for himself. The
plots are very expensive but I would love to be there because it is very
beautiful. The last time I was there about 8 weeks ago, I was saddened to
see that they had lost a few trees from the extreme weather we have had the
last couple of years. Drought and then all the snow took their toll. My
cousin and I managed to load one of the cut pieces of trees into my truck
and it is now a feature of my garden. While we were there that day, we sat
of two large cut trunk sections that were perfect for our picnic. There are
about 60,000 graves.

The office has been revitalized with new employees. They have computerized
their records that formerly were just on cards. To pay for this
computerization, they ask for $5 per plot printing. I told them that was
high but they need it to help defray cost of upkeep for the cemetery, too.

While the person in the front office is typical of cemetery personnel, the
manager is very outgoing and friendly. And very interesting being from
Georgia and half Cherokee and half Irish.

I have always found that a gentle, friendly approach, not being rushed to
get answers, and sitting and chatting with the ladies had always gotten what
I wanted. I have never paid for any thing except the last time when the
tombstones didn’t reflect all that were buried there. There were seventeen
graves and $5 was Besides they weren’t out relatives just the Norwood
surname we needed. Yes, there is a sign about “genealogy request” being in
writing but I have never been stopped from getting information.

My number one suggestion is to NEVER use the word GENEALOGY. As direct
descents you probably own these plot deed and you are simply there visiting
them. “Could they help you out by telling you all the information they
have.”

BALTIMORE CEMETERY is also still active. Like Greenmount, which is near by,
it is situated in a very bad neighborhood. Also like Greenmount once
inside the gates, it is safe. But unlike Greenmount it is not pretty.
Since it was originally a non-perpetual care cemetery, they have little
funds for upkeep of the original graves. There are few trees or bushes and
in summer it can be hot as blazes. I have even found dead rats living
about. There are over 250,000 graves.

The office personnel beside Roland Burke and his son, is an older gentleman
that reminds me of a stereotypical funeral director. He has been there for
ages. He will warn up to you if you are sweet and patient. He can even
crack a smile and laugh with the right touch. He likes to be told how much
he is helping you. I have also helped them by returning to the office with
information I have found. Since all there records before 1904 were
destroyed in the Baltimore fire, don’t expect them to work magic and provide
you more than location and date of burial. Also keep in mind the spelling
for these early records is very bad to say the least. You need to be
creative about how they might have misspelled it.

Records after the fire are great but not what is first offered. Get kind,
be gentle and be patient and as out parents always told us, use the magic
words: Please and Thank you!

You will probably get the spiel about paying for back upkeep costs. Just
ignore it. They need the money but they aren’t pushy about it and you do
not need to pay it or feel guilty about not.

I have never had any problems with either of these cemeteries and both have
been so helpful that I couldn’t have done my documentation of my family
without them. I am there so often that I have become a fixture.

In both Greenmount and Baltimore, when I couldn’t find a grave even with
their great directions, I simply call the office on my cell phone and out
they come to meet me.

I wish all cemeteries were as friendly and easy to work with as these. Most
are by far worse but then again I was at New Cathedral yesterday for the
first time and WOW! But that is another email.

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• [MD-BaltimoreCity] Greenmount and Baltimore Cemetery by "Jane Thursby" <>