Thank you for registering for the online course, Connecticut Research: Four Centuries of History and Genealogy!
Whether your family connection to Connecticut is 400 years old or 40, there is a treasure trove of genealogical resources waiting for you: vital records have been kept by towns since the early seventeenth century; newspapers have existed since colonial times; and there are thousands of published genealogies, local histories, study projects, and other references that exist for Connecticut research. Yet, Connecticut is not without its challenges. This online course provides a century-by-century look at the records, resources, repositories, and research strategies that are essential to exploring your Connecticut roots. We also discuss the historical context, settlement patterns, and migrations into—and out of—the state; from colony to statehood.
This course includes four 90-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation; original broadcasts January 2022.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Class 1: 17th-Century Connecticut Research
Presented by: Ann Lawthers
Many 17th-century Connecticut colonists have been researched and written about, but there remain research challenges: distinguishing people with the same name, deciphering hard-to-read handwriting, understanding unique record sets, and more. This first class looks at the beginnings of Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook Colonies and the people who inhabited the lands prior to colonization. We provide an overview of the many published genealogical resources and record transcriptions available, demonstrate how to locate and utilize primary sources, and discuss how to overcome common research challenges.
Class 2: 18th-Century Connecticut Research
Presented by: Melanie McComb
The 18th century was a transformative and foundational period for Connecticut: continued colonial conflicts, movement westward, revolution, the start of the abolition of slavery, and ultimately statehood. This session looks at just some of the many records of the era—pre- and post-American independence—including military records, tax lists, census records, newspapers, city directories, and more.
Class 3: 19th-Century Connecticut Research
Presented by: Christopher C. Child
Connecticut experienced even more transformation in the 19th century, from Civil War to the industrial revolution to an increase of immigration from across Europe, and beyond. This class discusses the start and impact of probate districts, the age of the passenger list, pension files, expanded vital records, and less commonly used records.
Class 4: 20th-Century Connecticut Research
Presented by: Christopher C. Child
Continued urbanization and industrialization characterized much of 20th-century Connecticut. This final session looks at records that emerge in the 20th century—including the special WWI Military Census for the state—and the changes in records and record keeping that persisted since the 17th century, with particular attention to the topic of “access” and the go-to repositories for Connecticut research.
COURSE HANDOUTS
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: 17th-Century Connecticut Research
Live broadcast: January 5, 2022
Presented by: Ann G. Lawthers
Runtime: 1:31:42
Class 2: 18th-Century Connecticut Research
Live Broadcast: January 12, 2022
Presented by: Melanie McComb
Runtime: 1:28:08
Class 3: 19th-Century Connecticut Research
Live Broadcast: January 19, 2022
Presented by: Christopher C. Child
Runtime: 1:29:38
Class 4: 20th-Century Connecticut Research
Live Broadcast: January 26, 2022
Presented by: Christopher C. Child
Runtime: 1:23:11
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Christopher C. Child, Senior Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press has worked for various departments at American Ancestors since 1997 and became a full-time employee in July 2003. He has been a member of American Ancestors since the age of eleven. He has written several articles in American Ancestors, The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, and The Mayflower Descendant. He is the co-editor of The Ancestry of Catherine Middleton (American Ancestors, 2011), co-author of The Descendants of Judge John Lowell of Newburyport, Massachusetts (Newbury Street Press, 2011) and Ancestors and Descendants of George Rufus and Alice Nelson Pratt (Newbury Street Press, 2013), and author of The Nelson Family of Rowley, Massachusetts (Newbury Street Press, 2014). Chris holds a B.A. in history from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. His areas of expertise include: Southern New England, especially Connecticut; New York; ancestry of notable figures, especially presidents; genetics and genealogy; African-American and Native-American genealogy, 19th- and 20th-Century research, westward migrations out of New England, and applying to hereditary societies.
Ann Lawthers, Genealogist helps members and not-yet members with their family history research by providing lectures, courses, and hands-on workshops at the American Ancestors Research Center, at genealogical conferences across the country, and online. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and the Harvard School of Public Health, with Masters and Doctoral degrees in Health Policy. Her areas of particular interest include New England and New York, the Mid-Atlantic states, the southern colonies, Ireland, and migration patterns.
Melanie McComb, Genealogist assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She also provides lectures on a variety of genealogical topics. Melanie holds a bachelor of science degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. Her areas of research interest include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Kansas, Prince Edward Island, Québec, and Ireland, and she is experienced in DNA, genealogical technology and social media, Jewish genealogy, and military records.
OTHER RESOURCES
Subject Guide: Connecticut Research
New England Town Guides
Connecticut databases on AmericanAncestors.org
Subject Guide: 17th-Century New England Research
Archived Webinars (many New England topics)