Tag Archives: Connecticut

What were the English Civil Wars, and how did they impact Connecticut?

In the 1640s, England fell into Civil War over the rule of Charles I. After much conflict, Charles was executed in January 1649. Oliver Cromwell took over, essentially pushing England into a military dictatorship. The monarchy was restored in May 1660, with Charles II. The Wars impacted Connecticut in two ways. First, some of thoseContinue reading “What were the English Civil Wars, and how did they impact Connecticut?”

Tax list or grand list?

Tax lists of all kinds can provide a valuable resource for documenting residency, particularly in colonial or early American Connecticut. Because Connecticut collects property taxes on the town level, finding someone in the tax lists is a good indication that they lived or at minimum owned property in that area. Yet, it’s important to realizeContinue reading “Tax list or grand list?”

Westmoreland County, Connecticut

Founded in 1753, the Susquehanna Company sought to permit European settlement near the Susquehanna River using an argument that the area was granted in Connecticut’s 1662 charter. (Jackson Kuhl, “The Incredibly Convoluted History of Westmoreland County, Connecticut,” Journal of the American Revolution, 29 October 2014 (https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/10/the-incredibly-convoluted-history-of-westmoreland-county-connecticut/: accessed 18 April 2024). Settlement in the area beganContinue reading “Westmoreland County, Connecticut”

Connecticut Congregational Church Records

Because the Congregational Church was the “state church” of Connecticut until the Constitution of 1818, many Connecticut ancestors were Congregational by default. As a result, Congregational Church records should be part of your search. In the early 20th century, the Connecticut State Library began a project to preserve church records. They asked churches to submitContinue reading “Connecticut Congregational Church Records”

Resources for finding the burial of a veteran ancestor in Connecticut

Looking to discover where a veteran ancestor is buried? Connecticut and national repositories maintain resources that can help. The Nationwide Gravesite Locator lists veterans buried in national cemeteries or in a private cemetery with a military headstone. The SAR has a cemetery search option that includes Revolutionary War ancestors they consider qualifying. The State LibraryContinue reading “Resources for finding the burial of a veteran ancestor in Connecticut”

Connecticut Villages: What do you need to know?

Connecticut historically had a village system. Villages – which often included churches, stores, schools and more – were typically organized either (in the 18th and early 19th century) around a church or later, around industrial centers. As much of life revolved around what they experienced in the villages, our ancestor may have listed the villageContinue reading “Connecticut Villages: What do you need to know?”

Don’t have a Connecticut State Library card? Here’s why you should…

If you’re a Connecticut resident, you’re eligible for a Connecticut State Library card. (It can be applied for here.) The State Library is separate from your local public library. The State Library houses the state archives of Connecticut but also functions as the state’s library – which means that it has books and database access.Continue reading “Don’t have a Connecticut State Library card? Here’s why you should…”

What’s a proprietor? (and why does it matter?)

When Connecticut gave land to colonial settlers, it did not do so – as other colonies did – by issuing patents to individuals. Instead, it gave a group permission to settle on a certain area of land. These individuals, referred to as “proprietors” were responsible for establishing town governance and dividing the land among themselvesContinue reading “What’s a proprietor? (and why does it matter?)”