Two Westbrook women are gathering research for a documentary about the Saccarappa Cemetery in Westbrook and stories of those buried there.

Suzan Roberts Norton and Donna Conley are hoping to hear from people in Westbrook and Gorham who have ancestors buried in the historic cemetery. Goals of the project include raising awareness among the younger generation about the importance of sacred places following the recent vandalism at Saccarappa Cemetery.

“Both of us are very disturbed by the destruction of cemeteries and want to do something about it because we are both passionate about the history, especially the history of Westbrook,” Roberts said.

Norton said some of the earliest inhabitants of Westbrook are buried in Saccarappa Cemetery. Graves include those of 97 veterans with three from the Revolutionary War; 15, War of 1812; three, Spanish American War; 75, Civil War; and one, World War I.

Conley is one of the authors of a recent book about Westbrook cemeteries, and Norton is secretary of the Westbrook Historical Society. They are undertaking the project as a team, and it isn’t a historical society project.

“This is an important undertaking, and I should be most pleased to hear from anyone out there with info to help with this project,” said Norton, whose family originated on Saco Street in Westbrook.

She can be reached at fiddlinsuz@adelphia.net