R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Connecticut
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Public Records
Taxation
Town Records
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIESLook this term up in the glossary.

The following archivesLook this term up in the glossary., librariesLook this term up in the glossary., and societiesLook this term up in the glossary. have major collections or services helpful to genealogical researchers.

231 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Telephone: 860-566-4301
Fax: 860-566-8940
A helpful inventory of this library is Connecticut State Library, Guide to Archives in the Connecticut State Library, 3rd ed. (Hartford, Conn.: Connecticut State Library, 1981; FHL book 974.6 A1 No. 30).

380 Trapelo Rd.
Waltham, MA 02154
Telephone: 617-647-8100
Fax: 617-647-8460

P.O. Box 435
2106 Main Street
Glastonbury, CT 06033-0435
Telephone: 860-569-0002

1 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Telephone: 860-236-5621
Fax: 860-236-2664

101 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116-3007
Telephone: 617-536-5740
Fax: 617-536-7307
  • Stamford Genealogical Society

P.O. Box 249
Stamford, CT 06904
A useful guide to the records of Connecticut is Connecticut Temporary Examiner of Public Records, Report of the Temporary Examiner of Public Records (Hartford Conn.: Case, Lockwood and Brainard, 1904). The library has reports for 1906, 1912, 1916, 1922, and 1930 (FHL book 974.6 A3c; 1930 on film 164615).


Computer NetworksLook this term up in the glossary. and Bulletin BoardsLook this term up in the glossary.

Computers with modemsLook this term up in the glossary. can be useful tools for obtaining information from selected archives and libraries. In a way, computer networks themselves serve as a library. The Internet,Look this term up in the glossary. certain computer bulletin boards, and commercial on-line services help family history researchers:

You can find computerized research tips and information about ancestors from Connecticut in a variety of sources at local, state, national, and international levels. The list of sources is growing rapidly. Most of the information is available at no cost.

Addresses on the Internet change frequently. As of April 1997, the following sites are important gateways linking you to many more network and bulletin board sites:

http://www.usgenweb.com/
A cooperative effort by many volunteers to list genealogical databases, libraries, bulletin boards, and other resources available on the Internet for each county, state, and country.

http://www.rootsweb.com/roots-l/usa/
A useful list of sites and resources. Includes a large, regularly-updated research coordination list.
For further details about using computer networks, bulletin boards, and news groupsLook this term up in the glossary. for family history research, see the United States Research Outline (30972), 2nd ed., "Archives and Libraries" section.


FamilySearch™Look this term up in the glossary.

The Family History Library and some Family History Centers have computers with FamilySearch™. FamilySearch is a collection of computer files containing several million names. FamilySearch is a good place to begin your research. Some of the records come from compiled sourcesLook this term up in the glossary.; some have been automated from original sourcesLook this term up in the glossary..


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BIBLE RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

The Connecticut State Library has collected, copied, and indexed over 25,000 Bible records. Some are bound in a set of 26 volumes while others are filed alphabetically by surname in file cabinets. The index was microfilmed in 1949 and is at the Family History Library (films 002875-82).

The Daughters of the American RevolutionLook this term up in the glossary. (DAR) collection contains Bible records from Connecticut. This collection is described in the “Genealogy” section of this outline. These DAR Bible records are partially indexed by E. Kay Kirkham, An Index to Some of the Bibles and Family Records of the United States, vol. II. (Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, 1984; FHL book 973 D22kk v.2; fiche 6089184).


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BIOGRAPHYLook this term up in the glossary.

Employees of the Stamford Public Library System are indexing biographical material from local histories for the Connecticut Biography and Portrait Index. Currently, there are more than 150,000 entries. It can be searched for a nominal fee by writing to: Turn of River Branch Library, 752 High Ridge Rd., Stamford, CT 06905.

The best collection of biographical works is at the Connecticut Historical Society. The Family History Library also has a fine collection. Representative biographical encyclopedias for Connecticut include:

Hart, Samuel, et al. Encyclopedia of Connecticut Biography. 11 vols. Boston: American Historical Society, ca. 1917-23. (FHL book 974.6 D3e vols. 1-2, 4, 7-11; films 1425622—.)

Genealogical and Biographical Records of American Citizens: Connecticut. 26 vols. Hartford: N.p., 1929-49 (not available at Family History Library).


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CEMETERIESLook this term up in the glossary.

The Charles R. Hale Collection of cemetery inscriptions (1640s-1930s) and newspaper death notices (1796-1865) is at the Connecticut State Library and on microfilm at the Family History Library (on 360 FHL films beginning with 003076). It consists of an extensive card index and 59 typed volumes of inscriptions, arranged by town, from more than 2,000 cemeteries. Additional description of this collection is in the “Vital Records” section of this outline.

The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of cemeteries in Connecticut are listed in Kemp's Connecticut Researcher's Handbook (see the “For Further Reading” section of this outline). This book also lists the number, volume, and page citations for each cemetery included within the Hale collection.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) collection also contains tombstone inscriptions from Connecticut cemeteries. This collection is described in the “Genealogy” section of this outline.


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CENSUSLook this term up in the glossary.


FederalLook this term up in the glossary.

Federal census records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more detailed information regarding these records.

The Family History Library has the U.S. federal censuses of Connecticut from 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910 to 1920. The 1890 census was destroyed.

The library has book, film, and microfiche indexes of the 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, and 1860 censuses. The Connecticut State Library and the Family History Library also have an index to the entire 1790 to 1850 censuses (listed in the Family History Library Catalog under CONNECTICUT - CENSUS - INDEXES). The page numbers of this index do not always match those on microfilms at the National Archives and the Family History Library. A soundexLook this term up in the glossary. (phonetic) index is available for part of the 1880 census and all of the 1900 and 1920 censuses.

Mortality schedulesLook this term up in the glossary. exist for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880. The schedules are at the Connecticut State Library and the Family History Library (FHL films 234536-37).

The Connecticut State Library also has a special military census taken in 1917.


ColonialLook this term up in the glossary.

A reconstructed census of over 2,300 heads of families recorded in tax lists and other records is Jay Mack Holbrook, Connecticut 1670 Census (Oxford, Massachusetts: Holbrook Research Institute, 1977; FHL book 974.6 X2h 1670).


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CHURCH RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

The Congregational Church was predominant in early Connecticut and was the state church until 1818. Other prominent churches in the state are the Methodist and Episcopal churches (colonial period), and the Roman Catholic and Baptist churches (19th century).

More than 600 churches have deposited their records with the Connecticut State Library. Most of these records are on microfilm at the Family History Library. Some of these records are indexed in a card index prepared by the Connecticut State Library. This index was microfilmed in 1949 (FHL films 0002806-74). A useful guide to this collection is List of Church Records in the Connecticut State Library (Hartford: Connecticut State Library, 1976; FHL book 974.6 A1 no. 14; film 1033856 item 9).

To learn about church records existing in 1942, see Guide to Vital Statistics in the Church Records of Connecticut (New Haven, Connecticut: Connecticut Historical Records Survey, 1942; FHL book 974.6 K23g; film 924002 item 2; fiche 6051300).

The Family History Library has an extensive microfilm collection of records of the Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist, and Methodist Episcopal churches. Published histories are available for denominations such as Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Latter-day Saint (Mormon), and Universalist.

Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.


BaptistLook this term up in the glossary.

American Baptist - Samuel Colgate Historical Library
1106 South Goodman Street
Rochester, NY 14620-2532
Telephone: 716-473-1740
Fax: 716-473-1740

CongregationalLook this term up in the glossary.

Connecticut Historical Society
1 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105
Telephone: 860-236-5621
Fax: 860-236-2664
The Congregational Library
14 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-3704
Telephone: 617-523-0470
Fax: 617-523-0491

EpiscopalLook this term up in the glossary.

Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
135 Asylum Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105-2295
Telephone: 860-233-4481
Fax: 860-523-1410

MethodistLook this term up in the glossary.

United Methodist Archives Center
Drew University Library
P.O. box 127
Madison, NJ 07940
Telephone: 201-408-3189
Fax: 201-408-3909

Roman CatholicLook this term up in the glossary.

Diocese of Norwich
201 Broadway P.O. Box 587
Norwich, CT 06360
Telephone: 860-887-9294
Fax: 860-886-1670
Diocese of Hartford
134 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06103
Telephone: 860-541-6491
Fax: 860-541-6309
An example of several published church records is Frederic W. Bailey, Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800, 7 vols. (New Haven: Bureau of American Ancestry for Family Research, 1896-1906; FHL book 974.6 K2bf; film 924061 item 3.)


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COURT RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.

Major Connecticut courts that kept records of genealogical value were established as follows:

1636-1784

General Court Look this term up in the glossary.(General Assembly after 1637) was the highest state court throughout the colonial era. It handled many criminalLook this term up in the glossary. and civilLook this term up in the glossary. cases. After 1750 it relinquished most of its judicial responsibilities. Many of the General Assembly records were published in The Public Records of The Colony of Connecticut (1636-1776), 15 vols. (Hartford, Conn.: Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co., 1850-1890; FHL book 974.6 N2c; films 908423-30; fiche 6051120). This is listed in the Family History Library Catalog under CONNECTICUT - PUBLIC RECORDS.

1630s-1961

TownLook this term up in the glossary. and borough Look this term up in the glossary.courts had jurisdiction over civil matters in towns. Justice of the peace courtsLook this term up in the glossary. (1686-1961) handled similar matters in areas without a town court. Many of these records are at the Connecticut State Library. These courts were succeeded by circuit courts.

1638-1711

Particular CourtLook this term up in the glossary. was the primary court of jurisdiction for all matters of law, including appeals from town courts. This was succeeded by the Court of Assistants (1665-1711). The published records of this court are in the Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut (described above).

1666-1855

County courtsLook this term up in the glossary. had jurisdiction over civil disputes and minor criminal cases as well as chanceryLook this term up in the glossary. and divorce matters. From 1855-1870 this court's duties were taken over by the town and justice courts and the Superior Court.

1711-pres.

Superior CourtLook this term up in the glossary. replaced the Court of Assistants and holds countywide sessions as the principal trial court for major civil and criminal cases.

1869-pres.

Courts of common pleasLook this term up in the glossary. replaced county courts and were reorganized in 1975 to include the circuit court.

The Family History Library has microfilm copies of a few Connecticut court records. Many remain in the various court offices. The major repository for the records listed above is the Connecticut State Library. A guide to their court record holdings is Records of the Judicial Department (Part A): Court Records in the Connecticut State Library, 1636-1945, revised, unpublished inventory (Hartford: Connecticut State Library, 1977; not available at Family History Library).

For more information concerning Connecticut court records, see the Guide to Archives in the Connecticut State Library (see the “Archives and Libraries” section of this outline). Also see Dwight Loomis and Joseph Gilbert Calhoun, Judicial and Civil History of Connecticut (Boston: Boston History Co., 1895; not available at Family History Library).


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DIRECTORIESLook this term up in the glossary.

The Connecticut State Library, New Haven Historical Society, New England Historic Genealogical SocietyLook this term up in the glossary., the Library of CongressLook this term up in the glossary., and the American Antiquarian Society have useful collections of city directoriesLook this term up in the glossary..

The Family History Library has directories of major cities in Connecticut. Two examples of the library's holdings are:

  • Hartford
1799-1860 FHL fiche 6043938-76
1861-1935 FHL film 1376910—
1967, 1973, 1974-75 FHL book 974.62 E4p

  • New Haven
1840-1861 FHL fiche 6044225-45
1861-1935 FHL film 1377137—
1909, 1938, etc. FHL book 974.67 E4p


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EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION


People

Colonial settlers of Connecticut generally came from Great Britain and neighboring New England states. Descendants of these early settlers later scattered throughout northern New England, upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.

Many Irish and German immigrants began coming in the late 1840s. French-Canadian immigration began after the Civil WarLook this term up in the glossary. and continued through the rest of the nineteenth century. Late in the century most immigrants came from the southern and eastern countries of Europe, including Italy, Hungary, Poland, and Russia.


The Records

The major port of entry to New England is Boston. The Family History Library and the National Archives have passenger lists for Boston for 1820 to March 1874 and 1883 to 1935 (listed in the Family History Library Catalog under MASSACHUSETTS, SUFFOLK, BOSTON - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION). The following indexes are also available:

The Massachusetts State Archives also has Boston passenger listsLook this term up in the glossary. for 1848 to 1874 and 1883 to 1891. This includes records for the nine years missing from the National Archives records. The 1848 to 1891 index (above) is an index to the state lists but can also be used for the National Archives records.

Incomplete 19th century passenger lists for Bridgeport, 1870 (FHL film 830231), Fairfield, 1820 to 1821 (FHL film 830232), Hartford, 1837 (830234), New Haven, 1820 to 1873 (FHL film 830235), New London, 1820 to 1847 (FHL film 830236), and Saybrook, 1820 (FHL film 830246) are available at the Family History Library and the National Archives. These are found in Copies of Lists of Passengers Arriving at Miscellaneous Ports . . . Atlantic and Gulf Coasts . . . listed in the Family History Library Catalog under UNITED STATES - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION. For indexes to these lists, see Supplemental Index to Passenger Lists . . . Atlantic and Gulf Coast Ports . . . listed in the Family History Library Catalog under UNITED STATES - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION - INDEXES.

Also consult passenger lists of other New England ports and for ports in Canada. Records of Canadian border entries from 1895 to 1954 are on 937 films at the Family History Library (beginning with FHL films 1472801—). These are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under UNITED STATES - EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION.

Names of colonial immigrants listed in published sources are indexed in P. William Filby, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 15 vols. (Detroit: Gale Research, 1981-; FHL book 973 W32p). The first three volumes are a combined alphabetical index published in 1981. Supplemental volumes and cumulative indexes have been published.

More detailed information on U.S. immigration sources is in the United States Research Outline.

Records and books on ethnic groups, such as African-Americans, French-Canadians, Jews, and Swedes are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under CONNECTICUT - MINORITIES.


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GAZETTEERSLook this term up in the glossary.

Several helpful gazetteersLook this term up in the glossary. of Connecticut have been published. Two of these are:

Gannett, Henry. A Geographic Dictionary of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1894. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1978. (FHL book 974 E5g; fiche 6046786.)

Hughes, Arthur H. and Allen S. Morse. Connecticut Place Names. Hartford: Connecticut Historical Society, 1976. (FHL book 974.6 E2h.)


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GENEALOGYLook this term up in the glossary.

Most archivesLook this term up in the glossary., historical societiesLook this term up in the glossary., and genealogical societiesLook this term up in the glossary. have special collections and indexes of genealogical value. These must usually be searched in person.


Manuscript CollectionsLook this term up in the glossary.

The Family History Library has copies of significant sources such as the Frank T. Calef and other collections of MayflowerLook this term up in the glossary. and PuritanLook this term up in the glossary. descendants, the Charles D. Parkhurst manuscripts for New London, and compiled genealogies for early families in Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven, and other areas.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) collection consists of transcripts of Bible records, cemetery records, church records, marriages, deaths, obituaries, and wills. It was microfilmed in 1970 and 1971 at the DAR Library in Washington, D.C., and is on 24 microfilms at the Family History Library (beginning with FHL film 844451). The collection is listed in the Family History Library Catalog under CONNECTICUT - COLLECTED WORKS.

The New England Historic Genealogical SocietyLook this term up in the glossary. has many important manuscript collections. The society's card catalog is on microfilm at the Family History Library (FHL films 544065-77; 543525-30; 543567).


Published SourcesLook this term up in the glossary.

Connecticut Society of Genealogists. Ancestry Service. 10 vols. Glastonbury, Conn.: Connecticut Society of Genealogists, ca. 1979-84. (FHL book 974.6 D2ca.) As of 1997, volumes listing surnames A-S have been published. The ancestor charts, 1962-1990, and ancestry service, 1962-1988, have been microfilmed (on 59 FHL films beginning with 1754015 item 2).

Cutter, William Richard, et al. Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut. . . . 4 vols. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1911. (FHL book 974.6 D2c; film 1000146.) An index to this and other New England publications by Cutter is Norma Olin Ireland and Winifred Irving, Cutter Index: A Consolidated Index of Cutter's Nine Genealogy Series (Fallbrook, Calif.: Ireland Indexing Service, 197?; FHL book 974 D2ci; film 1036507 item 6; fiche 6046737).

Greenlaw, William Prescott. The Greenlaw Index of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. 2 vols. Boston: G. K. Hall, 1979. (FHL book Q 974 D22g.) This is an index to many local histories and genealogies published between 1900 and about 1940.

Hinman, Royal Ralph. A Catalogue of the Names of the First Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut. . . . 1846. 2d. ed. 1852-56. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968. (FHL book 974.6 D2hra 1968; 1856 ed. is on film 186114.) The second edition includes surnames A-Danielson only. The 1846 edition contained surnames for the full alphabet (FHL film 908908 item 2.)

New England Historic Genealogical Society. English Origins of New England Families: from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. First Series, 3 vols., 1984. Second Series, 3 vols., 1985. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. (FHL book 974 D2e; fiche 6047919-21; second series book 974 D2en; fiche 6047922-24.)

New England Historic Genealogical Society. Genealogies of Connecticut Families from the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. 3 vols. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. (FHL book 974.6 D2g.)

Rider, Fremont, ed. American Genealogical- Biographical Index. Vols. 1-186. Middletown, Conn.: The Godfrey Memorial Library, 1952-. (FHL book 973 D22am Ser. 2.) This is a continuing series. As of 1997, surnames A-Walker have been indexed. An earlier version in 48 volumes was published as The American Genealogical Index, 1942-51. (FHL book 973 D22am; films 1425577-86.)

Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England. . . . 4 vols. 1860-62. Reprint. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1965. (FHL book 974 D2s; films 496426 item 3 to 496428.)


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HISTORYLook this term up in the glossary.

The following important events in the history of Connecticut affected political jurisdictions, family movements, and record keeping:

1633-1636

Puritans from Massachusetts established settlements on the Connecticut River at Windsor, Wethersfield, and Hartford.

1638

The New Haven colony was established. New London was founded soon after.

1662

A British royal charter established Connecticut as a colony separate from Massachusetts.

1740

By this date all of present-day Connecticut had been settled and organized into incorporated towns, the basic governing units.

1786-1800

Connecticut relinquished its claims to western lands, except for the Wyoming ValleyLook this term up in the glossary. in Pennsylvania which Connecticut claimed until 1799, and the Western ReserveLook this term up in the glossary. in Ohio which it claimed until 1800. Connecticut settlers remained in both areas.

1788

Connecticut ratified the Constitution to become a state.

1840s

As the factory system developed, thousands of foreign laborers began moving into Connecticut.

1861-1865

Connecticut furnished 60,000 troops to the UnionLook this term up in the glossary. Army during the Civil WarLook this term up in the glossary..

In addition to the sources mentioned in the “For Further Reading” section, an especially helpful source for studying the history of Connecticut is Charles W. Burpee's, Burpee's The Story of Connecticut, 4 vols. (New York: American Historical Co., 1939; FHL book 974.6 H2b).


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LAND AND PROPERTYLook this term up in the glossary.

Land in colonial Connecticut was granted by the Connecticut General Court. Most of these grants were to proprietorsLook this term up in the glossary.. Proprietors' recordsLook this term up in the glossary. are at the Connecticut State Archives or at the town halls. Later deedsLook this term up in the glossary., mortgagesLook this term up in the glossary., releases, and other related documents were recorded by the town clerk and are at the town halls. Most are indexed by grantorLook this term up in the glossary. and granteeLook this term up in the glossary.. There is no statewide index.

The Family History Library and the Connecticut State Library have microfilm copies of many proprietors' and town records from the earliest years to the mid or late 1800s. Some are as recent as the 1900s. They are listed in the Family History Library Catalog under the name of the town. From Hartford, for example, the library has 117 microfilms of proprietors' records (1639-1753), deeds (1678-1901), and general indexes (1639-1865).


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MAPSLook this term up in the glossary.

The Connecticut State Library, Connecticut Historical Society, Yale University, and Wesleyan University have major map collections. The Family History Library has Connecticut maps for 1790, 1810, 1823, 1838, 1850, 1862, 1878, 1884 and 1917. The library also has Hartford and New Haven city ward maps dating from 1850 to 1899 (FHL film 1377700; Hartford —fiche 6016650-54, New Haven —6016688-94).

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