Myth… most likely.
Those of us who do genealogical research in Connecticut receive questions about things people have been told when visiting towns, historical societies, and more.
One such comment: older land records were transferred to the Connecticut State Library. Retention schedules say that historical land records can be transferred to the Connecticut State Library but that the town has to maintain a reduced size copy. I’ve seen only a few towns do this. Most retain their full records.
However, it’s worth knowing that you may not need to go to the town clerk’s office to research land records. FamilySearch has many of the older land records digitized, although they may be only accessible from a FamilySearch affiliate library. (If you go to the State Library, you’ll generally be looking at the same microfilm.) The majority of towns have digitized their most recent records: check the town clerk’s website for the link. Typically, towns have a digitization gap in the early 20th century, but if you’re doing earlier research, everything you need is likely online.
If you do go into the town clerk’s, be aware that staff can’t help with land records research. This kind of research is considered title searching, and as it raises legal implications, staff typically cannot assist. If you think you need onsite help, look for a local professional researcher.
Connecticut Roots by Charter Oak Genealogy 