Ballarat Cemeteries has published 50 stories and have collected a further 55 tales of women who rest in their grounds as part of an ongoing project the past 18 months.

Submissions have predominantly been Eureka women, suffragettes and modern prominent Ballarat women. Ballarat Cemeteries chief executive officer Annie De Jong and the cemeteries' community advisory chairman Sarah Lia said they wanted to know more about the women who loved, laughed and lived in our streets, from all eras.

"Everyday stories are the backbone to the fabric of Ballarat," Ms De Jong said. "We call them stories because they form the folklore of Ballarat, what happened in the past to make Ballarat the place it is today and those who have been significant in our lives."

They share the story of Elaine; a teacher and artist who raised seven children on a single wage. Elaine was a master of making the most from anything and everything. Her family moved from Gippsland to the Wimmera in 1967 and was shocked with drought conditions and scorching heat. Their house was not ready, their belongings were delayed when the removalist truck broke down en route. So, the family set up under the stars and camped for three days.

Ms Lia said story sharing was not a competition for worthiness because unsung role models like Elaine were vital.

"We're aware of the rich history in both cemeteries that otherwise risk all getting lost," Ms Lia said. "As a social history, they are what keeps society together."

Stories could be a couple of paragraphs, or they could be a eulogy. Ms Lia said cemeteries were a rich source for investigating history, including family history, and every story counted.

Submissions can be made: ballaratcemeteries.com.au.

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