vital records – Connecticut Roots by Charter Oak Genealogy

My Connecticut immigrant ancestor seems to be missing a vital record. What’s going on?

Connecticut began recording births, deaths, and marriages on the state level on 1 July 1897. In theory that means that any birth, death, or marriage on or after that date should be recorded in both the state vital records office and in the town clerk or health department in the town in which the eventContinue reading “My Connecticut immigrant ancestor seems to be missing a vital record. What’s going on?”

1850-1897: The Years without a Connecticut Vital Records Index

The Barbour Collection covers vital records up to 1850; statewide recording of vital records (and subsequent indexes) starts on 1 July 1897. Between 1850 and 1897, however, you need to know the town where the birth, death or marriage occurred to find the record. These sources can help:

Five Myths about Connecticut Vital Records (colonial period)

Connecticut required the filing of birth, death, and marriage record by the mid-1600s… Yet, the reality of what was recorded and when is a bit complicated. Here are five common myths about Connecticut vital records in the colonial period.

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?”

How do I locate a Connecticut birth, death or marriage record?

Adapted from a post on http://www.charteroakgenealogy.com. Here’s what you need to know for Connecticut records: Rule of thumb: FamilySearch first and then the town. State only when all other options have been exhausted.