Connecticut’s county system was abolished 1 October 1960, meaning that no functions are currently managed by the county within the state. In a 1998 memo, Judy A. Watson listed 9 functions of the county government system at its peak: Genealogists will most likely run into county records when researching ancestors who a) interacted with theContinue reading “Connecticut County Records: What do genealogists need to know?”
Tag Archives: legislation
What is coverture, and why does it matter?
Coverture or coverture is a legal principle of English common law that was commonly applied in colonial America: it essentially made a married woman a part of her husband’s legal entity. Connecticut did not begin to chip away at the principle until the mid-19th century. Prior to that point, a married woman was subject toContinue reading “What is coverture, and why does it matter?”
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?)”
Why did the town indenture my Connecticut ancestor?
19th century Connecticut newspapers include ads to reclaim those who had escaped indenture. Indenture, on the basic level, meant that someone “bound” themselves to an employer to work for a set period of time in exchange for some form of reward. Why do some of those ads mention the town as the ones doing theContinue reading “Why did the town indenture my Connecticut ancestor?”
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?”
Connecticut Roots by Charter Oak Genealogy 