Sherill Baldwin, an amateur genealogist, has spent the last five years researching the identities of the roughly 2,200 people buried at Blake Street Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut. The cemetery, which served as the city’s paupers’ graveyard between 1884 and 1931, is the final resting place for many who were buried in unmarked graves.

Uncovering the Stories

Baldwin’s research has led her to discover the stories of individuals such as Anna Horan, who died penniless in 1907, and Lois Tritton, a former slave who was sold at auction on the New Haven Green. Through her research, Baldwin has been able to piece together narratives about the lives of those buried at the cemetery, which she publishes on her blog, Buried Stories.

Baldwin’s work has also led to the identification of Horan’s grave, which was previously unmarked. With the help of Horan’s descendants, a new headstone was purchased and placed at the grave, giving Horan the recognition she deserved. Baldwin’s research has shed light on the lives of those who were once forgotten, and has given them a voice in the community.

A Labor of Love

Baldwin’s interest in genealogy began as a teenager, when she started researching her own family’s history. She later received a research certificate from Boston University and began exploring old cemeteries near her home. Her research at Blake Street Cemetery has been a labor of love, as she works to uncover the stories of those who were buried there.

Through her research, Baldwin has discovered that about one quarter of the people buried at Blake Street Cemetery were of African American descent. She has also found that many of the individuals buried at the cemetery were immigrants, who came to the United States in search of a better life. Baldwin’s work has given a voice to these individuals, and has helped to preserve their stories for future generations.

Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.