Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut Genealogy

Brief History
Other than Black Rock and parts of Brooklawn which were originally part of the Town of Fairfield, Bridgeport was originally a part of the Town of Stratford. The first settlement was made in 1659. It was called Pequonnock until 1695, when its name was changed to Stratfield, because of its location between the already existing towns of Stratford and Fairfield. During the American Revolution it was a center of privateering. In 1800, the borough of Bridgeport was chartered, and in 1821 the township was incorporated. The city was not chartered until 1836.

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 Bridgeport, visit. FamilySearch Places Many Connecticut churches have deposited their records at the Connecticut State Library. The following are church records available online for the town of Bridgeport:

Congregationalist
The United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, Connecticut was organized in 1916 by the union of the First and Second Congregational Churches of Bridgeport. The First Church was known in 1691 as Pequonnock Society in Fairfield and Stratford. The name was changed May 1701 to Stratfield Society and formally changed May 1847 to Bridgeport, First Congregational Church.


 * The history of the First Church of Bridgeport, from 1695 to 1853: with sketches of its ministers
 * Two hundred fifty years: the story of the United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, 1695-1945
 * United Congregational Church (Bridgeport, Connecticut) Church records, 1695-1911
 * Church records 1805-1838

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 * Record of members, 1940-1941 Record of members 1940-1941

Lutheran

 * First English Evangelical Luthern Church, 1903-1948

Protestant Episcopal

 * Calvary Church 1922-1948


 * St. John's Church, 1784-1863


 * Christ Church, 1850-1945


 * Church of the Nativity, 1858-1952


 * Stratfield Society, 1805-1838

City Directories

 * 1855-1935 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images, some years may be missing
 * 1867-1985 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 (Bridgeport) at Ancestry - index and images ($), some years may be missing
 * 1909, 1930 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * Various Dates U.S. City Directories, 1860-1960 at MyHeritage - index and images ($) some towns and years may be missing


 * Bridgeport city directories
 * Bridgeport city directory, including Stratford, Fairfield and Southport
 * 1867-1985 U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 at Ancestry ($) - index and images, some years may be missing

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

Libraries and Historical Societies
The Bridgeport Community Historical Society P.O. BOX 1956 Bridgeport, CT 06601-1956 E-mail: [mailto:audreywpca@gmail.com audreywpca@gmail.com] Facebook Website Bridgeport Public Library – History Center 925 Broad Street(3rd floor) Bridgeport, CT 06604 203 576-7400, ext. #7 203 576-8255 fax E-Mail: [mailto:hclibrarian@bridgeportpubliclibrary.org hclibrarian@bridgeportpubliclibrary.org] Website Bridgeport Public Library There are five branch locations listed below Facebook Website Burroughs – Saden Branch Location 925 Broad Street Bridgeport, CT 06604 (203) 576-7400 E-mail: [mailto:webmaster@bportlibrary.org webmaster@bportlibrary.org] Website Black Rock Branch Location 2705 Fairfield Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06605 (203) 576-7025 E-mail: [mailto:webmaster@bportlibrary.org webmaster@bportlibrary.org] Website East Side Branch Location 1174 East Main Street Bridgeport, CT 06608 203-870-1280 E-mail: [mailto:webmaster@bportlibrary.org webmaster@bportlibrary.org] Website Newfield Branch Location 755 Central Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06607 E-mail: [mailto:webmaster@bportlibrary.org webmaster@bportlibrary.org] Facebook Website North Branch Location 3455 Madison Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06606 (203) 576-7003 E-mail: [mailto:webmaster@bportlibrary.org webmaster@bportlibrary.org] Facebook Website

Maps
The following are online maps of the town of Bridgeport:
 * The Price and Lee Co's new map of Bridgeport, Connecticut
 * The Price and Lee Co.'s new map of Bridgeport, Connecticut : published for the city directory

Probate Records
In Connecticut, most probate records are kept at the town level. The following are online probate records for the town of Bridgeport:
 * 1782-1917 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1840-1916 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Town Histories

 * History of Bridgeport and vicinity
 * A history of the old town of Stratford and the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut
 * The story of Bridgeport
 * History of Bridgeport and vicinity
 * Pioneers and patriots of Pequannock, 1639-1799

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: The following are Bridgeport town records available online:
 * 1831-1900 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 *  1847-1900 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1850-1899 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1853-1904 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Town Clerk
The town clerk is responsible for these records, and so most originals can be found at the town clerk's office. Bridgeport Town Clerk 45 Lyon Terrace Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-576-7208 E-mail: [mailto:charles.clemonsjr@bridgeportct.gov charles.clemonsjr@bridgeportct.gov] Website

Births

 * 1639-1941 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1640-1955 — index
 *  1847-1900 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1850-1899 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Marriages

 * 1640-1955 — index
 * 1831-1900 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Deaths

 * 1640-1955 at FamilySearch — index
 * 1640-1955 — index
 * 1853-1904 : at FamilySearch Catalog — images