Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut Genealogy

Brief History
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles (26 km) south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653.

The land on the western bank of the Connecticut River where Middletown now lies was home to the Mattabesett Native Americans (also spelled Mattabesec, Mattabeseck, and Mattabesek); the area they inhabited—now Middletown and the surrounding area—was named after them. At the time the first European settlers arrived in the region, the Mattabesetts were a part of the group of tribes in the Connecticut Valley, under a single chief named Sowheag

In 1784, the central settlement was incorporated as a city distinct from the town.

In 1923, the City of Middletown was consolidated with the Town, making the city limits of the city quite extensive. Originally a busy sailing port and then an industrial center, it is now largely residential with its downtown serving as a college town for Wesleyan University. Middletown was the county seat of Middlesex County from its creation in 1785 until the elimination of county government in 1960.

Church Records
At its founding, Congregationalism was the dominant religion in Connecticut and was even the state religion until 1818. Other common Christian denominations include the Methodist, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and Baptist churches. To see the churches in Middletown, visit. Many Connecticut churches have deposited their records at the Connecticut State Library. The following are church records available online for the town of Middletown:

Land Records
In Connecticut, most land records are kept at the town level. The following are online land records for the town of Middletown:

Libraries and Historical Societies
Middlesex County Historical Society (accessed 12 February 2012): Although it has resources for all of Middlesex County, the Middlesex County Historical Society Collection focused on Middletown.

Russell Library(accessed 12 February 2012): The public library for Middletown, Russell Library has a significant local history collection.

Wesleyan University Special Collections &amp; Archives (accessed 19 April 2012): Wesleyan University's Archives also stores local records.

Godfrey Memorial Library - Genealogy and History Library. Site has databases for a subscription fee.

Maps
The following are online maps of the town of Middletown:

Newspapers
The Hartford Courant : The statewide newspaper, The Courant is the most widely read local newspaper.

Middletown Patch : A branch of Patch.com, the Middletown Patch has a regular Middletown history column.

The Middletown Press : The major local newspaper, the Press is also available on microfilm at the Russell Library.

Probate Records
In Connecticut, most probate records are kept at the town level. Middletown Probate District covers Towns of Cromwell, Durham, Middlefield and Middletown. Constituted May session 1752, from Hartford, Guilford and East Haddam. Part of Town of Berlin was set off to form the Town of Berlin and subsequently Berlin Probate District 2 June 1824. The following are online probate records for the town of Middletown:

Town Records
In Connecticut, most records are kept at the town level and generally began being kept at the founding of the town. These records may include the following:  Births Marriages Deaths Burials Cemetery records Appointments Earmarks Estrays (stray animals)</li> Freemens' oaths (men eligible to vote)</li> Land records</li> Mortgages</li> Name changes</li> Care of the poor</li> School records</li> Surveys</li> Tax lists</li> Town meeting minutes</li> Voter registrations</li> Warning outs (of town)</li>

The following are Middletown town records available online:

Town Clerk
The town clerk is responsible for these records, and so most originals can be found at the town clerk's office. Vital records are held by the Health Department.