Tag Archives: Resources

Are there multiple versions of the Barbour Collection?

The Barbour Collection is an index and abstract of pre-1850 Connecticut vital records created in the early 1900s. For a history of the collection, see the “LibGuide” on the Connecticut State Library website. It’s a commonly used resource for Connecticut research, and, as it’s considered to be generally reliable, is accepted as “proof” by manyContinue reading “Are there multiple versions of the Barbour Collection?”

Stuck researching a Connecticut ancestor? Have you checked these sources?

Sometimes we get stuck in research simply because we don’t know where to look next. While this list is far from exhaustive – and will apply better to the colonial period – here are sources you can check to learn more about your Connecticut ancestors. Keep in mind, these are a starting point. There areContinue reading “Stuck researching a Connecticut ancestor? Have you checked these sources?”

The Hale Collection: A Resource for Cemetery Inscriptions

An outgrowth of a project to document veteran’s graves, the Hale Collection was largely compiled between 1932 and 1935. To create the collection, staffers visited the town, attempted to locate all relevant cemeteries, and transcribe the headstones. Those transcriptions were then organized into volumes by town and then by cemetery. The volumes are available onContinue reading “The Hale Collection: A Resource for Cemetery Inscriptions”

How do I find the district probate court that holds my Connecticut ancestor’s records?

Since 1719, Connecticut has used district – rather than county – probate courts. The boundaries of the districts have changed periodically, but the records do not move with district changes. To identify the probate court that would have served your ancestor, you need to know in which district their town of residence was located atContinue reading “How do I find the district probate court that holds my Connecticut ancestor’s records?”

Connecticut Colonial Census Enumerations

copied from a post at Charter Oak Genealogy To apply to a Revolutionary War era lineage society, the applicant needs to document not only the ancestor’s service but also the ancestor’s residence during the War. For Connecticut ancestors, there are four sources typically used to “prove” residence: One could add a fifth: census enumerations. EvenContinue reading “Connecticut Colonial Census Enumerations”

Running a genealogy group in a Connecticut library? Here are some resources to help.

Connecticut’s libraries are amazing. And many are trying to make programs and projects happen on limited resources. If you are a library staff member or volunteer in a Connecticut library, here are some resources that can help.

Why am I seeing a microfilm icon when researching Connecticut vital records on FamilySearch?

The website FamilySearch is an amazing resource for Connecticut vital records. Most pre-1900 vital records were microfilmed by FamilySearch and placed online after 2018. These records can be accessed by searching for the town name in the catalog. When you make that search, you’ll notice that a few catalog entries still have microfilm reel imagesContinue reading “Why am I seeing a microfilm icon when researching Connecticut vital records on FamilySearch?”

What newspaper covered my Connecticut ancestor?

You’ve heard about The Hartford Courant and The New Haven Register. But how do you identify the smaller newspapers that might have covered your ancestor’s day to day life? The Connecticut State Library has a resource that can help. It allows you to enter a town name and range of years. It will return aContinue reading “What newspaper covered my Connecticut ancestor?”