Dear Casey, I also have family burried in Ceader Hill Cemetery in Suitland, MD and live too far away to visit. I ran across the following address for them. 4111 Pennsylvania Ave. Suitland MD. I don't have the zip on hand, but I looked it up in the zip code book at the Post Office. There was only one zip for street adresses in Suitland and my letter was not returned. As for a reply, well, let's just say that it's been MONTHS and there is a big windy noise in my mailbox where a reply letter should have been! Good luck! Amanda Cook, Macon, GA Researching BAILEY, MURPHY, TREFRY, TORNEY, COOKSY

Cedar Hill has, in the past, been managed badly, but they seem to have turned it around as of late. I haven't done any research there, but they were very helpful when I buried my Great-Aunt this past June. I have also taken my Grandmother there in the past to "visit" some other relatives buried there. I have found that as long as you can provide them some information (full name, not surnames), that they will be happy to help you find the grave. In fact, when we were there making arrangements for the burial, my Grandmother asked if there was anyone who could help her find her in-laws graves. She had forgotten exactly where they were, and we had spent about half an hour looking for them the summer before. They had a groundsman drive her out there and show her exactly where the graves were located. Now, I realize that we were customers at that point, but my Aunt had made & paid for all of her burial arrangements back in 1976 when her husband passed away, so they could have considered us a nuisance (no money to get and all). But everyone is right, if you go in and act as though you may be a potential customer, you will always get better treatment. My suggestion is to tell them you are trying to decide which cememtery you will choose, and are basing that decision on the family that is already buried there, as well other factors. Ask for some info on their services & the availability of plots near your family, too. Good Luck, -Jennifer Peterson

Hello List! I had a very good experience with Cedar Hill when I went there in June. My G Grandparents are buried there and I had never been there before. I was somewhat leery because I had read so many warnings about the location. My husband took me as I was expecting the worst. We were surprised to find the location not nearly so horrible as we expected. It was as JoAnn described, and we did not feel frightened at all. The staff was very helpful; allowing me to copy information from the old ledgers and providing me with a map and directions to the graves. They were very busy the day we were there, but never made us feel a nuisance or anything. It was a good experience. Winona

Casey I visited Cedar Hill Cemetery a few months ago looking for my uncle's grave. I had read comments on the list in the past that they weren't very helpful. However, the lady who was in the office on the day I visited couldn't have been nicer. She checked their records, made me a copy of his interment record card, drew me a map, and even furnished me the names on the first two tombstones closest to the road so I could more easily locate his grave. I guess it's not the place, it's the people you deal with. Cedar Hill is still an operating cemetery. Here's the address and telephone number: Cedar Hill Cemetery - Main OFC 4111 Pennsylvania Avenue Suitland, MD 20746 (301) 568-5400 Barbara

Hi, Casey: With regard to your note about Cedar Hill Cemetery, I thought you would like to know a little something about the place. Cedar Hill is still a very active cemetery. Rarely do I go there without seeing a new grave. My parents are buried there. It is a rather old cemetery, but has always been kept in pretty good shape. The cemetery got new owners a few years ago, and they have done a great job of sprucing the place up. Even though there are many grave markers with dates in the late-1800s, it's amazingly well-kept. They also constructed a new funeral home on the grounds about a year ago, and they completed a new mausoleum a while back. The cemetery is loaded with beautiful, old trees and rolling hills everywhere--thus, the name "Cedar Hill." It is located on the Maryland side of the DC/Maryland line in Prince George's County. Since you don't live in the DC area, I'm sure the people who run Cedar Hill would be able to give you information regarding your family and, possibly, would take a photograph of a particular grave marker for you. The address is Cedar Hill Cemetery, 4111 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suitland, Maryland, 20746 and the telephone number is 301-568-5400. If you make the trip to Maryland, be sure to visit the cemetery during working hours. It is a HUGE cemetery. I have dealt with the staff on both personal and genealogical issues, and they have always treated me very kindly. They have maps of each section of the cemetery and will mark the location of the specific graves for you so they will be easier to find. The last time I had the occasion to check, information regarding the older graves were not computerized. However, the staff allowed me to look at their old record books and helped me find the information I was seeking. Two of the graves I was looking for were unmarked. They offered to ask a groundskeeper to mark those graves with red flags, but told me that it would take a couple of days to accomplish that. I went back two days later, went to the section they identified for me earlier and found the red flags in place. Although some may disagree with me, I have always felt safe at Cedar Hill and go there alone a couple of times a month. It is bordered by a major thoroughfare (Pennsylvania Avenue/Route 4) at the main entrance and by another popular roadway (Suitland Road) on the back side of the property. You should have no problems whatsoever. I hope this information helps you. Joann Ellis Humphries JoannEllis@aol.com

In a message dated 8/22/2001 6:28:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time, APur610061@aol.com writes: << Can someone give me any information on Cedar Hill cemetery in Suitland Maryland? I have just found out that my great grandfather is buried there and want to write to them for any info they can provide. Also plan on making a visit there if it is still operational. Casey Purcell Knoxville, TN. >> Please post to the list. I am also interested in this cemetery. Linda Simpson Davidson

Can someone give me any information on Cedar Hill cemetery in Suitland Maryland? I have just found out that my great grandfather is buried there and want to write to them for any info they can provide. Also plan on making a visit there if it is still operational. Casey Purcell Knoxville, TN.

Let me echo the praise given to the staff at Glenwood. I have visited twice and was given full use of their card files and ledgers. The gentlemen in the office were busy the entire time I was there but I was never made to feel I was in the way or a nuisance. I arrived by taxi on my first visit and one gentleman in the office offered to call me a cab when my visit was over! On my next visit to Washington, DC I want to visit Oak Hill. I looked up the grave sites through the LDS microfilm and I'm hoping the office will at least provide me with a map. I've heard they are not too friendly and not open on weekends. Is this accurate? Ruth Parrish Fleak

Boy, am I sorry you have had problems with Rock Creek. In the very distant past my Dad was able to get alot of information, by letter, with no charge. Now they charge $5.00 for each name after the first, which is gratis, although they make it clear that it is done as time permits. I did not ask for searches, had already found the grave sites by other means, just a map, info on the church, etc. The lady was totally pleasant, friendly and encouraging. After spending about 2 1/2 hours visiting the sites we asked if we could use the restroom and they were very gracious about that as well. The gentleman at Glenwood let me look in the ledgers for the details of my great grands on my Dad's side. Then he gave me a map, marked the spot, explained some detail about finding it, etc. He was so professional and gracious. Both of these trips were undertaken with a bit of reluctance because I was unsure of how I would be treated. Here in Frederick County there is a much more relaxed attitude toward genealogists and their searches. We still wave to each other on the "back" roads, etc. I grew up in Silver Spring, DC was my playground for theatre, shopping and everything else. I am glad there are still people working in these places who take pride in their jobs and in their responsibility when in a public service position. After reading about everyone's problems with cemeteries I plan to write to these two places although we thanked everyone profusely. Patricia in Frederick Co.

Glenwood -- I've never had a problem with. But with Rock Creek, I guess it depends on the day, whether you are there in person or not, who you happen to get, and what you are asking. I wrote to Rock Creek several years ago for information and got a phone call in return from a woman in their office staff who told me they couldn't be bothered with genealogists because they are too busy with REAL work to do and if I wanted information I should seek their records for myself that were on microfilm. She could not have been any nastier or more insulting. Of course, last year I called and instead of asking for information on my G-G-gparent's graves, I said I wanted to take my 101 year old grandmother to see her grandparents' graves. They saw a potential sale for my 101 year old grandmother and they were more than happy to help us then. Sue Dotson Buzzybee@prodigy.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat & Gary Kelly" <pgkelly@erols.com> To: <WashingtonDC-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 7:00 AM Subject: [WashingtonDC'' ] ROCK CREEK AND GLENWOOD CEMETERIES > Hi Everyone! > > Sorry people are having problems with cemetery staffs. I just wanted to > let you all know that we were at the subject cemeteries on Monday of > this week. The staff was incredibly helpful, polite, caring, etc. We > found all the sites we needed and were even allowed to use the rest room > at Rock Creek. It could not have been a more pleasant experience, > including the fact that the grounds are perfectly maintained. > > Patricia in MD > > > > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 > >

Does anyone on this helpful list have access to the 1850 census of Washington, DC? I would like to find out about Julia Wright, pg 270, 4th ward. Perhaps her age would tell me if it was my Julia (christened Judith) who was born in Co Kilkenny Ireland and came to Washington DC with her brother-in-law, Dr. William C. McConnell in 1840. They were together in the 1840 census but she was not with them in 1850. Thanks to anyone who can solve me dilemma. Jean Broadfoot, Ottawa, Ontario.

Sue is right...always let them think that you are a potential or a returning customer. I often pick up an inexpensive bouquet of flowers before I enter the office of an unknown cemetery for the first time. I always get more cooperation that way than when I come across as a genealogist full of questions. Once when searching for a great-grandfather whose death certificate had been destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake & fire, I speculated about what might have been his cause of death at a fairly early age. The woman in the office shut down her computer, and brought out an old hand-written ledger from a back room, with cause of death, attending doctor, place of death, and much more info that was never transcribed into the computer-based locator. It's amazing what they have available in some places! Frank Dunnigan -----Original Message----- From: Sue Dotson <buzzybee@prodigy.net> To: WashingtonDC-L@rootsweb.com <WashingtonDC-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 12:07 PM Subject: Re: [WashingtonDC'' ] ROCK CREEK AND GLENWOOD CEMETERIES >Glenwood -- I've never had a problem with. But with Rock Creek, I guess it >depends on the day, whether you are there in person or not, who you happen >to get, and what you are asking. I wrote to Rock Creek several years ago >for information and got a phone call in return from a woman in their office >staff who told me they couldn't be bothered with genealogists because they >are too busy with REAL work to do and if I wanted information I should seek >their records for myself that were on microfilm. She could not have been >any nastier or more insulting. Of course, last year I called and instead of >asking for information on my G-G-gparent's graves, I said I wanted to take >my 101 year old grandmother to see her grandparents' graves. They saw a >potential sale for my 101 year old grandmother and they were more than happy >to help us then. > >Sue Dotson >Buzzybee@prodigy.net > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Pat & Gary Kelly" <pgkelly@erols.com> >To: <WashingtonDC-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 7:00 AM >Subject: [WashingtonDC'' ] ROCK CREEK AND GLENWOOD CEMETERIES > > >> Hi Everyone! >> >> Sorry people are having problems with cemetery staffs. I just wanted to >> let you all know that we were at the subject cemeteries on Monday of >> this week. The staff was incredibly helpful, polite, caring, etc. We >> found all the sites we needed and were even allowed to use the rest room >> at Rock Creek. It could not have been a more pleasant experience, >> including the fact that the grounds are perfectly maintained. >> >> Patricia in MD >> >> >> >> >> ============================== >> Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! >> http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 >> >> > > >============================== >Shop Ancestry - Everything you need to Discover, Preserve & Celebrate >your heritage! >http://shop.myfamily.com/ancestrycatalog >

I would try contacting your local funeral home for that info. I know that funeral homes are regulated by an independent agency now, but I'm not sure of cemeteries (it's shameful what they can get away with in regards to cemteries). In Maryland, I would suggest Lee's Funeral Home. They are a wonderful group of people, who are extremely helpful in every aspect of the process. My family has been using their services for about 100 years. Good luck, -Jennifer Peterson MCKIM/ASHWORTH/OGDEN/LUSBY/ALLEN/PYLES(PILES)/PETERSON(PETTERSSON)/LEEK/DAY/KA RNES DC/VA/MD/NJ/MA/ME/NY/TN/OH/IN/GA

HI Bill: Great that you are working there now! Don't forget people.....no need to bother for Jones's buried at Congresssional...I have them online at my site: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/4759 also some Philips and misc. Take care, Debi "

Hi Everyone! Sorry people are having problems with cemetery staffs. I just wanted to let you all know that we were at the subject cemeteries on Monday of this week. The staff was incredibly helpful, polite, caring, etc. We found all the sites we needed and were even allowed to use the rest room at Rock Creek. It could not have been a more pleasant experience, including the fact that the grounds are perfectly maintained. Patricia in MD

Dear Anthony (and List), You checked for Dr. John Patrick Gilroy for me at Congressional Cemetery some time ago and could find nothing there. He was shown in DC on the 1860 Census, died at the newly opened Providence Hospital in October of 1861 and supposedly was buried at Congressional Cemetery. He was from Charles County, Maryland, and was a contract physician with the Union Army. Is the information for the years 1861 and 1862 new materal? Betty GILROY Lawson bglawson@atlnet.com Atlanta, GA Anthony Long wrote: > > Dear Bill and list > I have been wanting to pass this on for years and time has slipped by. > Now that Bill is working as a part time Genealogist at Congressional > this could help him and some on the list. There is a book there named > Burial Register of United States Personnel in Congressional Cemetery. > The names of some cover the missing years June 1861 > threw 1862 and 1862 threw 1866. These years were missing in Washington > DC I guess because of the Civil War. > Many of the names in this Book are surnames from Fairfax Co Va > Alexandra Va and Charles Co Md.{ Union Personnel that is} > The Confederate names were from the old Capitol prison and from the > southern states not DC. > I have found some DC names in this book that was not listed any were > else. I hope this may help someone as I was going to list the names on > the list but there are to many. If you go there or Bill looks for you I > would give a donation as this is one of the best Cemetery's to do > research in. Thank you Bill. > Anthony Long > > ============================== > Ancestry.com Genealogical Databases > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist2.asp > Search over 2500 databases with one easy query!

Carol Ann Nida wrote: > Unfortunately Emily Hoff is no longer at Fort Lincoln.� Our family was there in > December of 2000 for my uncle's burial and the staff was unfriendly and > downright rude.� My aunt has been having problems with them ever since then, in > regards to my uncle's marker, which has still not been placed on his grave. So > it's not just genealogists.� The staff is just plain uncaring. > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 now here is the big question ?? where would one report such ignorance too, in regards to cemeteries or funeral homes? � -- from:D.L.M.FOX UPDATED JULY 29,2001 http://sites.netscape.net/INVESTIGATORFOX/ http://americasunknownchild.net/ http://www.ancestry.com/main.htm?sourceid=00289336853522699155 �

Unfortunately Emily Hoff is no longer at Fort Lincoln. Our family was there in December of 2000 for my uncle's burial and the staff was unfriendly and downright rude. My aunt has been having problems with them ever since then, in regards to my uncle's marker, which has still not been placed on his grave. So it's not just genealogists. The staff is just plain uncaring.

After reading Anthony's very useful message about information found at Congressional, I thought I'd share a humorous note. The first time I contacted Congressional via e-mail, I got a response from a nice volunteer named Melvin. I wrote back to ask him whether plots in the cemetery were available only to U.S. personnel of some description. He quickly responded: "Not so. All you have to be to get in is dead!" I knew right then that I was going to like the guy. Melvin went on to help me identify some of my Rawlings and Bright burial sites. Thanks, Anthony, for this good info. about the Register for those searching for U. S. personnel. Sherry At 06:36 PM 08/21/2001 -0700, you wrote: >Dear Bill and list >I have been wanting to pass this on for years and time has slipped by. >Now that Bill is working as a part time Genealogist at Congressional >this could help him and some on the list. There is a book there named >Burial Register of United States Personnel in Congressional Cemetery. >The names of some cover the missing years June 1861 >threw 1862 and 1862 threw 1866. These years were missing in Washington >DC I guess because of the Civil War. >Many of the names in this Book are surnames from Fairfax Co Va >Alexandra Va and Charles Co Md.{ Union Personnel that is} >The Confederate names were from the old Capitol prison and from the >southern states not DC. >I have found some DC names in this book that was not listed any were >else. I hope this may help someone as I was going to list the names on >the list but there are to many. If you go there or Bill looks for you I >would give a donation as this is one of the best Cemetery's to do >research in. Thank you Bill. > Anthony Long >

Dear Mr Boswell, I would like to have a look-up done on my GGrandmother Gertrude Zerwes Smoot. My GGrandfather, Richard Hamilton Smoot is buried there and I am assuming she is too. He died in 1942 and the death certificate has her still listed as his wife so would assume she was still living at that time. If she is there I would like to know where she died so I can get a death certificate. Also are her parents names given. Am willing to pay for the research. Thank You Helen Disharoon