When I visited Mt Moriah the other day the staff was very helpful. The condition of the grounds is about equal to the condition of the whole neighborhood. People - yes, PEOPLE - are struggling to take care of their homes in an area which, like most of the city, has suffered from the massive disinvestment in cities since the 1950s, and the particular disinvestment in Black (and other minority) neighborhoods like this one. The cemetery is fairly large and does not have the funds to do more than minimal maintenance in the older sections. I live nearby, have ridden my bike through the grounds fairly often, and have seen NO signs of damage by neighbors - just the effects of lack of maintenance resources. I would suggest that if you approach people as people who are doing their best, you will be much more likely to receive their best in response. --- Elaine had also written to ask about Holy Cross. It is run by the Archdiocese, and is therefore very well funded, well staffed, and well maintained. However, perhaps because it is so large, they receive a LOT of requests for information, so perhaps some letters don't get answered. They generally refer people to the Archidiocese cemetery office for genealogical research: 111 S. 38th Street, Philadelphia PA 19104 215-895-3450 They do charge a fee for research - I suggest calling first to find out what information they need & how much they charge. Blessings, Nancy in West Philadelphia >From: TCall2000@aol.com >Lots of luck getting any info out of Mount Moriah Cemetery. >The staff is rude, uncooperative and will not put themselves out in the >least. All they do is ask for money. Do NOT, under ANY circumstances, >send them a cent . There are stories galore of checks being cashed and >people receiving zilch in return. >Also, that place is in a pitiable condition. Those living in that >neighborhood around that cemetery (I won't dignify them by calling them >people) have ruined it! >I've heard horror stories from people daring to visit there about the >awful shape it's in!