Step-by-Step Connecticut Research, 1880-Present

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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives
 * Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives
 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household you might find (depending on the year) their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military.

Using the clues to lead to census record searches.

 * This birth certificate, found in old home papers, gives clues as to where and when to begin searching in census records for the Grandage and Goodell families.
 * This child is born to Herbert and Beatrice Grandage in 1920, in Stratford, Connecticut.
 * The first step would be to search tne 1940 and 1930 census of Connecticyt for a family consisting of, at least, parents Herbert and Beatrice, and a son, Herbert Grandage. In the 1920 census, Herbert, III, would not have been born yet. However, the couple would undoubtedly be married by then.

'''Here, in 1930, the family is living with Beatrice's widowed mother, Mary M. Goodell, who was born in 1862 in Connecticut. An uncle, Theophilus Patmer is also living in the home. Possibly Mary Goodell's maiden name was Patmer'''

Finding the next generation back.
Goodell: '''In 1920, Mary Goodell's husband, Beatrice's father is still alive. His name Clarence Goodell (spelled Goddell). Theo M. Patmer, again in the home, is Clarence's brother-in-law. So Mary Goodell's maiden name is Patmer.''' -- Grandage: The 1940 and 1930 censuses place Herbert Grandage's birth in 1895. The next step would be to look for him in the home of his parents, as a 5-year-old in 1900, and a 15-year-old in 1910. This names Herbert Grandage's parents as Herbert and Sabina, who were both born in England. Notice that the 1900 census also gives the month in the birth date. Notice in the far right column that Herbert, Sr., immigrated in 1880 and Sabina immigrated in 1882.



Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or even towns in some states recorded births, marriages, and deaths. In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations. A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using the census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Example of a Connecticut birth index search.

Using the census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
One main purpose for locating records for is to establish the identity of the wives--their maiden names. In some cases, particularly more recent records, the names of the parents of the bride and groom are given. Example of a Connecticut marriage index search.

Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
By studying the census records, and assuming that most people lived to be 65-70 years old, you can decide the time frame where you would expect to see a death certificate. '''It is very important to send for death certificates. Even though you might feel that knowing a death date is not high priority, the death certificate is important because of all the secondary data: birth date and place of the deceased, maiden name of the wife, names of the deceased's parents, birth places of the deceased's parents. '''This death index entry for Carence Goodell links to a full, original death record that can be requested by mail.

The examples shown above are index entries. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. In some cases, the image of the original is found online. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate in other cases.

How to Find the Records
There are basically two ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online index databases
 * purchasing them through the mail

Order Certificates from Towns or State
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).

The Connecticut Department of Public Health’s State Vital Records Office maintains the statewide registries for births, deaths, marriages and fetal deaths for all vital events occurring in Connecticut from July 1, 1897 to present. Each of Connecticut’s 169 towns operates a vital records office that issues certificates for birth, death, marriage, and fetal death events that occurred in that town. The towns also retain copies of birth, death, marriage, and fetal death certificates for events occurring in Connecticut to persons who were a resident of that town at the time of the event. Vital records prior to July 1, 1897 are maintained only at the vital records office of the town where the vital event took place.
 * Request a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate
 * Marriage and Civil Union Certificates
 * Request a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate

Addresses:
 * Town Vital Records Offices


 * Where to Write for Connecticut Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records State Vital Records Office

Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.

Obituaries

 * Archives.com Obituaries for Connecticut ($)
 * Newspaper Obituary collection for Connecticut: starts about 2003 to present ($)
 * Ancestry.com United States Obituary Collection for Connecticut ($)
 * Online Connecticut Death Indexes &amp; Records. index.
 * Connecticut Obituaries
 * — index and images
 * Search for obituaries in ProQuest Newspapers.com Library ($)

Cemeteries

 * Connecticut, Find A Grave Index, 1636-2011
 * Find A Grave for Connecticut
 * Interment.net for Connecticut
 * Billion Graves for Connecticut
 * The CTGenWeb Project, index.
 * Farber Gravestone Collection, index
 * Connecticut Cemetery Records
 * Connecticut Cemetery Records

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see Connecticut Obituaries and Connecticut Cemeteries.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card.



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see Connecticut Military Records.
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



Search for church records that can provide additional birth, marriage, and death information.

 * Index cards to vital records of Connecticut churches at the Connecticut State Library at FamilySearch
 * 1630-1920 Connecticut, Church Record Abstracts, 1630-1920 at Ancestry ($) Index.
 * 1630-1997 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection
 * 1660-1955 at FamilySearch; Index — How to Use this Collection
 * 1649-1906 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection
 * 1772-1934 Connecticut Deaths and Burials, 1772-1934 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection


 * Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800, Bailey, Frederic W., 7 vols. New Haven, Conn.: Bureau of American Ancestry for Family Research, 1896-1906.
 * Dunham-Wilcox-Trott-Kirk indexes church, cemetery, probate and other early New England, New York and New Jersey records with links to abstracts of the records.

Community of Christ, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 * Early Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Ancestry ($) Index
 * 1867-1965 Church records (New York-Philadelphia District), 1867-1965, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. New York-Philadelphia District. Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
 * 1865-1904 Church records (Philadelphia District), 1865-1904, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Philadelphia District (Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey). Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
 * 1842-1905 Church records 1842-1905, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. New York and Connecticut District. Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Lutheran

 * 1800-1947 U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Swedish American Church Records, 1800-1947 at Ancestry; index and images, incomplete.($)

Methodist

 * 1787-1922 New England, Select United Methodist Church Records, 1787-1922 at Ancestry; Index. ($)
 * 1809-1845 Church records 1809-1845, Methodist Episcopal Church. at FamilySearch; Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
 * 1903-1939 African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Records, 1903-1939, Winchester, Conn

Universalist

 * 1832-1941 Church records 1832-1941(Connecticut), Connecticut Universalist Convention at FamilySearch; Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.
 * 1836-1899 Church records 1836-1899 (Connecticut), Southern Association of Universalists (Connecticut) at FamilySearch; Includes records for the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey.

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 * For help with church records kept in Connecticut, see Connecticut Church Records.
 * To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.

 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.



Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: Connecticut
 * Connecticut, Wills and Probate Records, 1609-1999, ($), index and images, incomplete.

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each Connecticut county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Connecticut Counties

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.



Connecticut Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records
 * 1804-1959: at FamilySearch; index & images
 * 1957-1962: Hartford, Connecticut Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists at Ancestry; index & images ($)

Connecticut Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635, ($). Index.
 * Connecticut, Federal Naturalization Records, 1790-1996, index & images ($)
 * U.S. Passport Applications for Connecticut, 1795-1925 ($)
 * , index and images.
 * Connecticut, Passport and Birth Certificates, 1852-1928, ($).

For more information, see Connecticut Emigration and Immigration and Connecticut Naturalization and Citizenship.

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Connecticut; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "Connecticut" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "Connecticut" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Connecticut and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections
These collections of biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or use the "Find" function on a computer.
 * American Biographical Library for Connecticut ($)
 * The New England Historical &amp; Genealogical Register, 1847-2011 ($)
 * Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connecticut. 4 volumes., Ancestry ($).
 * The public records of the colony of Connecticut ($)
 * First Settlers of Connecticut and Massachusetts: Genealogical Notes and Contributions ($)
 * Connecticut Historical Society Collections, Volumes VIII-IX, XI, XIII, XV-XVII, and XIX ($) 3,106
 * Connecticut Puritan Settlers, 1633-1845 ($)
 * Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial, e-book
 * Connecticut history makers, e-book
 * Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut, e-book
 * Men of mark in Connecticut, e-book
 * Men of progress; biographical sketches..., e-book
 * Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894, e-book

Step 10: Contact a county historical or genealogical society.
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 * County historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.


 * If you can find the society on the internet, they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, you can hire one of their members to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * Connecticut, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * Connecticut, United States Historical Images, Old Version

Connecticut Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Connecticut Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Connecticut Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * Connecticut Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Connecticut.
This article focused more on Connecticut state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Connecticut. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.