The state of Connecticut was one of the original thirteen colonies. It has a longer history than several other states. Genealogists who are searching for information on ancestors who lived in Connecticut can start with the links to resources that are provided in this blog.
Ancestry.com has a page that is filled with links to their many collections of records that are specific to the state of Connecticut. In order to access the majority of the records, a genealogist must have an Ancestry.com membership. Some records are offered for free, (at least for a while). Return to this list often. Ancestry.com makes a notation to indicate when a collection has been updated or if it is new.
The Connecticut Society of Genealogists has been in existence since 1968. They invite guests to explore the resources available on their website and ask that you consider becoming member. People who are members get access to the CSG publications and databases by registering with CSG. New genealogists can benefit from their “Genealogy 101: Step By Step” advice.
Connecticut Genealogy is a resource that has been designed as a method for genealogists to find online genealogy data for Connecticut. New things are listed under a header called “What’s New?” that is in red text and easy to see. In the sidebar, there are a series of links that can take you directly to more Connecticut genealogy resources. This is another site to return to, because they will be adding more information from time to time.
FamilySearch has a Wiki about Connecticut Vital Records. It gives information about what vital records are and where to locate them. This is a good resource for genealogists who want to learn basic information about birth, marriage, and death records. You can also find links to specific collections in FamilySearch or links to other useful websites.
Cyndi’s List is an incredibly useful resource for genealogists! If it exists online, Cyndi’s List has a link to it. There is a “United States – Connecticut” page that has a bunch of categories of Connecticut resources. Some categories include: “Birth, Marriage, Death”, “Census”, “Counties”, “Military”, “Newspapers”, “Obituaries”, and much more! Cyndi’s list is a great starting point for new genealogists as well genealogists who are seasoned.
The Connecticut State Library has a website that has links to all of the genealogy resources that pertain to the state of Connecticut. It notes that the Ancestry Library Edition is available at the library, (but not through the website). The same is true for Heritage Quest online. Interesting collections that are accessible online include: “Database of Individuals listed in State Archives Records”, “Ellis Island Records”, “Witchcraft Trials, Colonial” and a lot more.
Image by Matthew Hester on Flickr