Explorer, Photographer, Historian. I enjoy exploring my city (Philadelphia) and discovering its lost history. I have recently become interested in my family genealogy. Doing research, I have discovered that I come from two long Philadelphia bloodlines, the Gilbert (arrived with William Penn in 1683) and Webster (settled in New England circa 1630) lines. Both families came from England, and have been living in the Philadelphia area since at least 1700. Any information or help regarding these two lines is always welcome and appreciated.

Southeastern Pennsylvania contains many colonial and Victorian cemeteries, and a large number of vanished ones. The Quaker city does not have a great track record of relocating its historic cemeteries. Many still lay undisturbed beneath neighborhood playgrounds, and some have vanished altogether. Putting together pieces of Philadelphia's long-buried past is a passion of mine.

Check out: www.PhiladelphiaStateHospital.com