CEMETERY BURIALS
A project spanning several years has resulted in a database of more
than 40,000 records detailing all known burials in the County, in nearly
100 cemeteries. These range from the village-owned Lakeview Cemetery in
Penn Yan, with more than 14,000 burials, to tiny family plots with one
or two graves; and every conceivable type and size of burial ground in
between.
Readings were made of every stone, and where possible either
confirmed or reconstructed from census records, obituaries, vital
records registers, and earlier readings. An effort has been made to
document "lost" cemeteries and other recorded but now missing
graves.
New York State did not require the recording of deaths until after
1880, and researchers have been forced to turn to other methods and
sources of documentation. The gravestone may give clues to birthplace,
family ties, the ever-elusive maiden names of married women and other
facts about the deceased person's life. Because of Yates County's small
size and population it was possible to imagine the completion of such a
project within a reasonable amount of time. Even though a few
previously-unknown graves continue to turn up, the vast majority are now
recorded in this database and available only by writing or visiting the
Office.
For those who wish to have the database available in printed form, a
set of six volumes has now been published and may be purchased. A copy
of one or more volumes may be reserved via email; see the detailed description
elsewhere, in which a list of the County's cemeteries may also be
found.
For those who are searching only one name, or one cemetery, buying the book might not be cost-effective. The corrected text of all six books will eventually be posted on-line. At this writing, only the towns of Benton, Milo and Torrey (including Dresden) are available, but the others will (probably slowly) be added.