Lynn, My nephew and I were at Harleigh about three weeks ago and obtained copies of plots and information on location. We weren't charged anything at all and could not have been treated better. Maybe because we were actually there in person, but I think the woman would have had to do as much work in the lookup either way. Vince Lentz ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lynn Jefferies" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 1:31 PM Subject: Re: [NJCAMDEN] Colestown Cemetery wants $100.00 for my family's cemetery records > > I've been reading with interest the Colestown Cemetery discussion. > Several points. First of all, receiving records from a cemetery is not an entitlement for a researcher. The second is that most cemeteries are not non-profits, they are businesses. Today, you can't even dial directory assistance for a telephone number without incurring a charge. So, why should cemeteries be any different? You are asking for a service, they are charging a fee for that service. Whether or not you decide to pay that charge is your decision. > The sad fact is, that as genealogy grows as a hobby, more and more strains are placed on support staff in the cemetery offices. To compensate for this, more cemeteries are charging fees. Most not as high as Colestown, but they do charge. Harleigh in Camden, the last time I checked, charged $18 an hour plus cost of copies. > As for reporting Colestown to the state. For what? Charging a fee. > When you write to cemeteries, do you offer to pay copying costs? Anyone connected with business knows that copier toner and supplies are expensive. Or, in the case of non-profits, additionally offer to make a donation to their perpetual care funds? > From what I have heard through the researcher grapevine is that there was a change in Colestown personnel several years ago. The new person in charge is much less amenable to researchers. As a result these records have gone from extremely accessible to almost inacessible. > If you don't want to pay the fees, you have several options. Two books have been printed recording gravestone inscriptions at Colestown. One is a typescript done by a DAR chapter years ago. This book has the advantage that some genealogy is included with certain entries. The second was done several years ago as an Eagle Scout project. Both of these books are available at the Camden County Historical Society and probably elsewhere. Another course is to check the Cemetery Cards at the Camden County Historical Society. These record county burials up to about 1937. > Lynn > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do You Yahoo!? > LAUNCH - Your Yahoo! Music Experience > >