Author Archives: Bryna O'Sullivan

Connecticut Comptroller Records

The Connecticut State Library today announced the release of an index to the Comptroller records. The Facebook post describes the index as an “Index of Connecticut town officials requesting state aid for support of non-resident individuals in their municipality[…]” What exactly does that mean? Someone from another town? Another state? The answer can be foundContinue reading “Connecticut Comptroller Records”

How do I find Connecticut naturalization records?

When you’re searching for naturalization records, remember that 1906 is the “magic” date. The Naturalization Act of 1906 dramatically increased the level of detail found on a record and limited the number of courts in which one could be naturalized. Prior to that date, applicants could naturalize at any court. Earlier records do exist, butContinue reading “How do I find Connecticut naturalization records?”

Were Connecticut Revolutionary War units integrated or segregated?

Both. Connecticut had one segregated unit: the company of Capt. David Humphreys in the 4th Connecticut. The privates in that company were all men of color. The company never saw its commander, who was assigned as a staff officer to Washington. The men consistently refer to him as Elijah Humphreys in pension applications. Although itContinue reading “Were Connecticut Revolutionary War units integrated or segregated?”

Did Connecticut warn out?

If you’ve studied colonial New England genealogy, you’ve probably heard about the practice of “warning out”. “Warning out” was a practice in which the town’s selectmen would tell unwanted inhabitants they had to leave the community, usually to avoid paying for care of an individual not raised in or with deep ties to a community.Continue reading “Did Connecticut warn out?”

How do I determine what Connecticut laws might have impacted my ancestor?

Civil records of our ancestors were the end result of a series of laws. Laws determined when vital records were created, who had to be recorded, what information was included, what fees were charged for that recording, and more. Reviewing the original laws can help us understand what a source can and cannot tell usContinue reading “How do I determine what Connecticut laws might have impacted my ancestor?”

What is the Connecticut Church Record Abstract Collection and how can it help my research?

Until 1818, the Congregational Church was the establishment or state church of Connecticut. As a result, many families were members by default. Congregational Church records can provide substitute records of birth, marriage, and death. In the early 1900s, the Connecticut State Library began to collect copies of the state’s church records to ensure their preservation.Continue reading “What is the Connecticut Church Record Abstract Collection and how can it help my research?”