Historian Helen Brink searching Steuben County for cemeteries large, small, often forgotten
By JEN CARPENTER HORNELL EVENING TRIBUNE

PHOTO BY JEN CARPENTER Helen Brink, pictured above with her dog Cricket, is searching for all the cemeteries in Steuben County.

BATH - A Bath woman interested in history is trying to make a difference in a different way - by locating all existing cemeteries in Steuben County.

Helen Brink, who volunteers at the Steuben County Historical Society in Bath, began a quest last year to map out all the cemeteries in Steuben County. Brink said she began her search to make it easier for people who are not familiar with the county to be able to find a cemetery. She said many people who are trying to research family genealogy often have trouble finding where relatives are buried.

"Number one, road names have changed," she said.

Brink said a lot of cemeteries have depleted over time, and many no longer exist. The Historical Society has a book containing burial records for Steuben County. Brink said stone readings were done in the 1970s. Numerous cemeteries are listed, but the directions to reach them are not good enough.

"It's not specific enough," she said.

Brink said her goal is to provide researchers with maps showing the exact locations of cemeteries. She said this could include exact mileage to the cemetery, if it is visible from the road, which side of the road it is on, how big it is, and other distinguishing factors. The detailed instructions she has created so far include a map of the town and a description of where the cemeteries in the area are located.

"You ought to be able to go right there," she added.

Brink has written up schedules for her cemetery search, and organized her search geographically. She said she usually drives to two neighboring towns in one day, with her dog Cricket along for company.

"It's something I feel is worth the time and effort," she said.

Brink said eventually something new will have to be done in order to keep up with all the cemeteries. She said most places in Europe have worked out a better system. In Europe, families are able to lease a cemetery plot for 20 years. Once the lease is up, the family can renew the lease, or if nobody is left to take care of the plot, it can be cleared and leased to somebody new.

"Those cemeteries are like public parks," she said, noting plot owners are able to decorate the space any way they choose.

Brink said eventually this country will run out of available land to put cemeteries on.

"It's very evident that we don't have enough money or people interested," she said.