Not paying attention to who holds what records and how to access them. If you’ve started your research outside of New England, Connecticut’s records storage system is going to seem strange. From vital records to be stored on the town level to district probate courts, Connecticut has its own unique systems. Taking some time learn how records are kept and what’s online (thank you FamilySearch!) can help you save time and money.
Not checking church records. In many areas, church records are hard to access. But Connecticut had a state church until 1818, and the Connecticut State Library made a concerted effort to collect church records. They’re a great substitute for civil records in the colonial period.
Not checking land records. This one isn’t just Connecticut! Land records are often skipped because they feel challenging to use. In an agricultural society, land was often a family’s most valuable possession. Many families were more careful with their land records than with other types of records.
Asking the wrong people for help. Most records administrators have limits to what they can do to assist a genealogist. A town clerk staffer legally can’t help with land records searching. (It’s considered title searching, and if they help, they make the town legally liable for error.) Libraries and archives have some records but not others. If you’re not sure if someone can help, ask if they can help you identify the best person to assist!
Not paying for help. Sometimes you really do need to pay for help. When you hire a professional, you’re often paying less for records access and more for their expertise. Do you know where to look for records from a family living in East Middletown, Chatham, or Saybrook?
Proprietor of Charter Oak Genealogy, Bryna O'Sullivan specializes in assisting clients with lineage society applications and with French to English genealogical translations.
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Connecticut Roots by Charter Oak Genealogy 