Is there a Connecticut genealogist in your life starting their holiday wish list? These are a few of my favorite options: Membership to the historical society where your ancestors lived: Because Connecticut historical societies typically don’t hold governmental records, they’re sometimes skipped by genealogists. Yet, they’re the favorite repository for genealogists to retire their papers.Continue reading “Holiday Gifts for a Connecticut Genealogist”
Tag Archives: Connecticut
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…”
I can’t locate a Connecticut birth certificate. Now where do I look?
While Connecticut required birth records as early as 1641, not everyone had one. If you can’t find a birth record for your ancestor, where else might you find their birth date and place recorded? Church records: Some churches will baptize a child at birth and keep records accordingly. Keep in mind that many colonial ConnecticutContinue reading “I can’t locate a Connecticut birth certificate. Now where do I look?”
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?)”
I can’t find a Connecticut birth record. Where do I look next?
Connecticut required vital records beginning in the 1640s on the town level and on the state level beginning on 1 July 1897. Yet, for some families, you may not find birth records until the 1910s. Where do you look next? Church records. Connecticut had a state church until 1818, so many colonial families were CongregationalContinue reading “I can’t find a Connecticut birth record. Where do I look next?”
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? The Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut & the NortheastContinue reading “Resources for researching Polish immigrants to Connecticut”
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”
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. Trying to search by the county. Connecticut hasn’t had political counties since 1960 and prior to that point, counties had only a limited role. (See here for theContinue reading “5 Common Connecticut Research Mistakes – and How to Avoid them”
