Bryna O'Sullivan

Resources for researching a French-Canadian family from Connecticut

The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought French Canadian families from Quebec, often to work in Connecticut’s textile factories. While these families are well studied in Maine, Rhode Island,and elsewhere, their presence in Connecticut is less well known. If your ancestors were part of that migration, what resources exist to help you trace them?Continue reading “Resources for researching a French-Canadian family from Connecticut”

Resources for researching Polish immigrants to Connecticut

Polish immigrants had a presence in Connecticut beginning in the late 19th century. Poland has been part of multiple political jurisdictions over the centuries, which can make it challenging to research. Are there are resources that can help you trace your Polish-American ancestors back to Poland?

Fact or Myth: Connecticut’s Historical Government Records are Held by the Connecticut Historical Society?

Myth… This one is actually based on a misconception. In some states, the state historical society is the official repository for the state’s governmental records. In Connecticut, that repository is the Connecticut State Archives, which is housed in the Connecticut State Library. The Connecticut Historical Society, recently rebranded as the Connecticut Museum of Culture andContinue reading “Fact or Myth: Connecticut’s Historical Government Records are Held by the Connecticut Historical Society?”

We don’t get that many genealogy questions. Should we still expend resources?

I hear this comment and/or question often when talking to Connecticut libraries, historical societies, senior centers and community centers. They’re trying to figure out how to expend limited resources based on what questions have come to them. Unfortunately, the starting point is probably flawed. As a professional genealogist, I actually use my library’s resources (specificallyContinue reading “We don’t get that many genealogy questions. Should we still expend resources?”

Truth or Myth: The older birth certificates were transferred from my ancestor’s Connecticut town to the State Library

Myth. 100% myth. Originals of the birth records are held in the town hall or the town vital records office. They have not been transferred to the State Library. Some records still in the towns have been microfilmed (and digitized) by FamilySearch, and that’s what you’d be reviewing at the State Library. If you areContinue reading “Truth or Myth: The older birth certificates were transferred from my ancestor’s Connecticut town to the State Library”

The Connecticut Town Hall Transferred the Land Records to the State Library: Truth or Myth?

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 LibraryContinue reading “The Connecticut Town Hall Transferred the Land Records to the State Library: Truth or Myth?”

Struggling to determine an ancestor’s church affiliation? Have you checked the tax records?

Connecticut had an establishment or state church until 1818. That meant many Connecticut residents – but not all – were Congregationalist by default. Yet, the Baptist and Episcopal Churches had a foothold in the state well prior to 1818. How do you determine which of the denominations your ancestor attended? While it is possible toContinue reading “Struggling to determine an ancestor’s church affiliation? Have you checked the tax records?”

5 Common Connecticut Research Mistakes – and How to Avoid them

As a Connecticut genealogist, I see a few common mistakes happen over and over. Here are the most common research mistakes – and how to avoid them.

How do I locate a Connecticut manumission record?

Connecticut established “Gradual Emanicipation” in 1784, but it applied only to those born after March first of that year. For those already held in slavery, the route out was through manumission, the process by which the enslaver legally released the person held in slavery from enslavement. Connecticut had a process for accomplishing this goal. (SeeContinue reading “How do I locate a Connecticut manumission record?”

Connecticut and the Firelands

The Origins of the Firelands: According to the Connecticut State Library, the Firelands were created as a result of the state of Connecticut’s attempts to recompense property owners for their losses after British attacks on Danbury, Fairfield, Norwalk, New London, and New Haven. In 1792, 500,000 acres of the Western Reserve was provided to survivorsContinue reading “Connecticut and the Firelands”