Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut Genealogy

Description

 * Bridgeport, Connecticut at Wikipedia

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.

Parent Towns

 * 1821 - Created from Fairfield, Stratford

Populated Places
Includes Neighborhoods, Villages, Unincorporated Communities, Districts, and Census-Designated Places:

Adjacent Towns

 * Fairfield County: Easton| Fairfield | Stratford | Trumbull

Town Records
In New England most original vital records of birth, marriage, and death can be found at the town clerk's office

Bridgeport Town Clerk
Bridgeport Town Clerk 45 Lyon Terrace Bridgeport, CT 06604 203-576-7208 E-mail: [mailto:charles.clemonsjr@bridgeportct.gov charles.clemonsjr@bridgeportct.gov] Bridgeport Town Clerk

Births

 * 1600s-1850 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - index and images; some towns maybe missing
 * 1600s-1850 The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records This collection of bound typescripts is available at the listed libraries; some towns may be missing
 * 1600s-1870 Connecticut, U.S., Town Birth Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) at Ancestry - index and images ($); some towns maybe missing
 * 1639-1941 at FamilySearch — index


 * 1847-1900 (*); Bridgeport Registrar of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1850-1899 (*); Bridgeport Registrar of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images

Marriages

 * 1600s-1850 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - index and images; some towns maybe missing
 * 1600s-1850 The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records This collection of bound typescripts is available at the listed libraries; some towns may be missing
 * 1600s-1700s U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1600s-1870 Connecticut, U.S., Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) at Ancestry - index and images ($); some towns maybe missing


 * 1790-1833 Connecticut: Marriages and Deaths, 1790-1833 at American Ancestors — index & images ($)
 * 1831-1905 (*); Bridgeport Registrar of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1897-1968  Web: Connecticut, U.S., Marriage Records, 1897-1968 at Ancestry - index ($); Also at: Connecticut State Library
 * 1959-2012  Connecticut, U.S., Marriage Index, 1959-2012 at Ancestry - index ($)

Deaths

 * 1600s-1850 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - index and images; some towns maybe missing
 * 1600s-1850 The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records This collection of bound typescripts is available at the listed libraries; some towns may be missing
 * 1600s-1870 Connecticut, U.S., Town Death Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection) at Ancestry - index and images ($); some towns maybe missing
 * 1640-1955 at FamilySearch — index


 * 1650-1934  Connecticut, U.S., Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934 at Ancestry - index ($)
 * 1790-1833 Connecticut: Marriages and Deaths, 1790-1833 at American Ancestors — index & images ($)
 * 1853-1904 (*); Bridgeport Registrar of Vital Statistics at FamilySearch Library Catalog — images
 * 1897-1968  Web: Connecticut, U.S., Death Records, 1897-1968 at Ancestry - index ($); Also at: Connecticut State Library
 * 1949-2012  Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2012 at Ancestry - index ($)

Divorce

 * 1968-1997  Connecticut, U.S., Divorce Index, 1968-1997 at Ancestry - index ($)

Resources
For more County and State resources see:

Biographies

 * A Catalogue of the Names of the Early Puritan Settlers of the Colony of Connecticut: With the Time of Their Arrival in the Country and Colony, Their Standing in Society, Place of Residence, Condition of Life, Where From, Business, etc., as Far as is Found on Record. By Royal Ralph Hinman. Hartford, Connecticut: Case, Tiffany Co., 1852. Salt Lake City, Utah: Digitized by FamilySearch International, 2017. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
 * Connecticut Historical Collections: Containing a General Collection of Interesting Facts, Traditions, Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes, etc., Relating to the History and Antiquities of Every Town in Connecticut, With Geographical Descriptions, Illustrated by 190 Engravings. By John Warner Barber. 2nd ed. New Haven, Connecticut: Durrie & Peck and J.W. Barber, 1837. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
 * Encyclopedia of Connecticut Biography, Genealogical-Memorial: Representative Citizens. By Samuel Hart. Boston, Massachusetts: American Historical Society, 1917-1923. Online at:.
 * Ye Names & Ages of All Ye Old Folks in Every Hamlet, City and Town in Ye State of Connecticut, Now Living: With Ye Sketches of Twenty Living Centenarians Compiled by Frederick H. Nash. New Haven, Connecticut: Price, Lee & Co., 1884. San Francisco, California: Internet Archive, 2012. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
 * Who's Who in Connecticut By Ward E. Duffy. Tucson, Arizona: W.C. Cox & Co., 1975. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
 * Connecticut Biography at FamilySearch Research Wiki

Cemeteries

 * 1640-1955 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index to burial records and obituaries
 * Bridgeport Cemeteries List at FindAGrave
 * at FamilySearch Catalog
 * Fairfield County Cemeteries at FamilySearch Places

Census

 * Connecticut Census at FamilySearch Research Wiki

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.


 * 1630-1920 Connecticut, U.S., Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1660-1955 at FamilySearch; index — How to Use this Collection
 * Connecticut Church Records
 * 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 & images ($), some years may be missing
 * 1909, 1930 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * Various Dates U.S. City Directories, 1860-1960 at MyHeritage - index & images ($) 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

Court Records

 * 1636-1945 (*) Connecticut State Library at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * State of Connecticut Judicial Branch-Media-How to Obtain Court Records at jud.ct.gov ($)
 * Connecticut Court Records at FamilySearch Research Wiki

Land Records
In Connecticut, most land records are kept at the town level. The following are online land records for the town of Bridgeport:
 * 1640-1846 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
 * Connecticut Land and Property

Local 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

Maps
This selection incudes town, county, state, and historical maps
 * Boundary Map of Bridgeport at HomeTownLocator
 * Bridgeport, Connecticut Town Guides at CT State Library
 * Bridgeport at FamilySearch Places
 * Bridgeport at Google Maps
 * Bridgeport at Mapcarta
 * McConnell's Historical Maps of the United States at Library of Congress
 * Old Maps of Connecticut at Old-Maps.com
 * Connecticut Maps State Page

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

Military

 * United States Military Records

Some Records are Searchable by Town

Revolutionary War, 1775-1783
For more Revolutionary War Military Records see:
 * Connecticut Military Records - Revolutionary War, 1775-1783
 * United States Military Records - Revolutionary War, 1775-1783

Civil War, 1861-1865
For more Civil War Military Records see:
 * Connecticut Military Records - Civil War, 1861-1865
 * United States Military Records - Civil War, 1861-1865

World War I, 1917-1918
For more World War I Military Records see:
 * Connecticut Military Records - World War I, 1917-1918
 * United States Military Records - World War I, 1917-1918

World War II, 1941-1945
For more World War II Military Records see:
 * Connecticut Military Records - World War II, 1941-1945
 * United States Military Records - World War II, 1941-1945

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1852-1877 Bridgeport City Court at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; List of Records Included in Collection; index and images

Newspapers

 * 1700s (*) by Jarvis Means Morse, 1899 at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * List of Newspapers in Connecticut at Wikipedia
 * The Press of Connecticut - Newspapers at portal.ct.gov
 * Connecticut Newspapers at FamilySearch Research Wiki

Obituaries

 * 1629-1934 Connecticut, U.S., Hale Collection of Cemetery Inscriptions and Newspaper Notices, 1629-1934 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1640-1955 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index to burial records and obituaries


 * 1977-2014 (*) NewsBank (Naples, Florida) at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * Connecticut Obituaries at FamilySearch Research Wiki
 * United States Obituaries at FamilySearch Research Wiki

Probate Records
In the 1600s, probate records were kept by the Connecticut and New Haven Colonies. In 1666, the two colonies joined and formed four new probate districts and counties: Hartford, New London, New Haven, and Fairfield. More probate districts were formed by 1719.


 * 1609-1999 Connecticut, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1635-1750 Connecticut: Early Probate Records, 1635-1750 at American Ancestors — index & images ($)
 * 1787-1880 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1782-1917 : (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1840-1916 : (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1859-1931 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1881-1915 (*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * Connecticut Probate Records

Tax Records

 * 1862-1866 (*) United States. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, United States. National Archives and Records Administration (Repository), at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * 1865-1874 Connecticut, U.S., Excise Tax Lists, 1865-1874 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * 1915-1926 (*) Connecticut. Inheritance Tax Division at FamilySearch Catalog - images only
 * Connecticut Taxation at FamilySearch Research Wiki

Libraries and Historical Societies
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

FamilySearch Centers & Affiliate Libraries

 * New Haven Connecticut FamilySearch Center
 * Bridgeport Public Library - an affiliate library
 * Fairfield Museum and History Center - an affiliate library
 * Wilton Library Association Inc. - an affiliate library

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