Overview
Uncover your Connecticut roots on a special day trip to the Connecticut State Library and Archives. While there, you will have exclusive access to city directories, town records, newspapers, probate records, special genealogy files, published resources, and much more! Our experts will help you plan your research with a pre-trip consultation and will be there with you during the trip to provide additional support. Whether this is your first trip to the Connecticut State Library or one of many, American Ancestors will help you make the most of your time there while also enjoying the company and camaraderie of fellow researchers!
This program includes:
- 30-minute virtual consultation via Zoom, scheduled prior to the day trip
- Tour and orientation by Connecticut State Library staff
- Lunch (provided)
- Research assistance by American Ancestors experts while at the repository
Please note: registration does not include transportation to or from the repository.
About the Connecticut Library & Archives
The Connecticut State Library is home to a treasure trove of records for researching your family history, including the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, and the Hale Collection of Connecticut cemetery inscriptions. It also has a large collection of newspaper records, church records, census records, probates, directories, land records, passenger arrivals and naturalization records, and more! Please explore their helpful guide on Preparing for Your Research Trip to the History and Genealogy Unit. You can also review their Rules & Procedures for Using Archival Materials here.
Participant Form
Please fill out the Participant Form linked below as soon as possible, and no later than July 17. This will allow our genealogists to prepare for your pre-tour consultation and to help you make the most of your consultation time. We cannot guarantee that we can schedule a pre-tour consultation if we receive your form after July 17.
Schedule
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Arrival: Gather at the South Entrance of the Connecticut State Library prior to our 9:30 start time. The entrance is in the back of the building, under an archway off the employee parking lot. We have been given special permission to enter the library prior to their regular opening hours, and they share the building with the Connecticut Supreme Court. For this reason, State Marshals will be present to process and escort our group into the building.
The main History & Genealogy Reading Room is open to our group from 9:30-4:00. The State Archives are open to us from 10:00-3:45.
Schedule Breakdown:
9:30 a.m.: Tour and Orientation by Connecticut State Library Staff
10:30 a.m.: Personal Research
12:00 p.m.: Lunch (provided- boxed lunches from Panera)
1:00 p.m.: Personal research
4:00 p.m.: Program concludes
*Schedule subject to change
Directions
The Connecticut State Library is located at 231 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106.
Directions
From Interstate 84 Eastbound – take Exit 48, Capitol Ave. The Library is diagonally across Capitol Ave. at the end of the exit ramp.
From Interstate 84 Westbound – take Exit 47, Sigourney St. Turn Left under Interstate 84; Left again back onto Interstate 84 eastbound. Take Exit 48, Capitol Ave. The Library is diagonally across Capitol Ave. at the end of the exit ramp.
From Interstate 91 North or Southbound – take Exit 29A, Capitol Area. At the traffic circle, take Elm Street (Bushnell Park will be on your right). At the traffic light, turn Left onto Trinity Street. At the next light, the Library is diagonally across Capitol Ave, directly across from the State Capitol.
Parking
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Metered on-street parking is available on Oak, Russ, Lafayette (one-way street from Capitol Ave.), and Buckingham streets.
- All-day free parking on Hungerford Street, (one-way street from Capitol Ave.) one block west of, and parallel to, Oak Street. Early arrivals may find spaces in the Capitol Place parking garage at 21 Oak St. A parking lot at Buckingham and Hudson Streets offers reasonable all-day rates.
- Call the State Library/Supreme Court Security Office (860) 757-2299 for information on Handicapped parking and access to the building.
Arrival
Gather at the South Entrance of the Connecticut State Library prior to our 9:30 start time. The entrance is in the back of the building, under an archway off the employee parking lot. We have been given special permission to enter the library prior to their regular opening hours, and they share the building with the Connecticut Supreme Court. For this reason, State Marshals will be present to process and escort our group into the building.
Meet Our Experts
