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.