ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026

 

Date:  Saturday, September 26, 2026

Time:  1:30 PM ET

Topic:  Researching Loyalists

Presenter:  Craig R. Scott

Craig is the owner of Heritage Books and a long-time professional genealogist who specializes in military topics.

It seems like we all learned in grade school that everyone who lived in the colonies was a Patriot, and the Patriots were the "good guys" of the American Revolution.  It turns out, if you're like me and the descendants of roughly one-third of the folks living in the colonies at the time, your ancestors' loyalties lay with the King.  I remember watching John Adams with its portrayal of the tarring and feathering of a Loyalist and thinking that I'm not sure I would have sided with the rebels.  Once I researched my family, I found Patriots as well as Loyalists (who ended up in Nova Scotia) -- no wonder I could empathize with both sides of the conflict.

 

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (EST) on September 26th.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, September 25.  The invite will be sent out on that Friday.

Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org  If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library.  Then register using the above email.

 

ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, July 25, 2026

 

Date:  Saturday, 25, 2026

Time:  1:30 PM ET

Topic:  Using Real Estate Deeds In Genealogical Research

Presenter:  Al Fiacre, Board Chair and Treasurer, GML

Al Fiacre will be giving a presentation about the valuable genealogical information that can be gleaned from real estate deeds, as well as the various types of documents and how to navigate to and through them.

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (EST) on July 25th.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, July 24.  The invite will be sent out on that Friday.

Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org  If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library.  Then register using the above email.

ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, June 27, 2026

 

Date:  Saturday, June 27, 2026

Time:  1:30 - 2:20 Eastern Time

Presenter:  Carol Ansel, Director, Godfrey Memorial Library

Topic:  Cemetery Research: Online and On Site

Carol will talk with us about cemeteries.  When you think about online cemetery resources, you most likely think first of Find-a-Grave, which has both its pluses and minuses.  There are a number of other online cemetery resources, with which you might be less familiar, and each has its own features to differentiate it.  We'll take a closer look at several of them, including the Godfrey's own Laput Collection.  

We'll also talk briefly about the historic changes in headstone designs, symbolic meanings of various carvings, and we'll talk about changes in the overall design of cemeteries themselves throughout history.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, June 26.  The invite will be sent out on that Friday.

Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org  If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library.  Then register using the above email.

Godfrey Memorial Library Celebrates 75 Years - OPEN HOUSE

 

Date:  Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Time:  10 am - 4 pm

Where:  134 Newfield Street, Middletown, CT

The Godfrey will be holding an Open House to mark the 75^th anniversary of the opening of the library building.

The library is dedicated to genealogy and family history research and is a well-respected resource for both amateur and experienced family researchers.

We invite the public to visit the library during our Open House.  Let us give you a tour of the facilities and tell you about our services.

Admission will be free and refreshments offered.  Whether you are a long-time member or maybe a former member or just curious about that library on the hill, we invite everyone to join us to celebrate our 75^th anniversary.

ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, April 25, 2026

 

 Date:  Saturday, April 25, 2026

Presenter:  Michael Brophy

Topic:  The History and Background of Orphan Trains

Time:  1:30 - 2:30 PM

Michael lives in the Boston area and is both a genealogist with many years of experience, and a private investigator as well. He will be speaking about the history of orphan trains, by which orphaned children were sent west to be adopted by families, some loving and caring, some at the other end of the spectrum, simply looking for free labor.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, April 24. The invite will be sent out on that Friday.

Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org  If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library.  Then register using the above email.

 

ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, March 28, 2026

 

Topic:  10 New Resources for New York Research

Presenter:  Kory Meyerink

Date:  Saturday, March 28, 2026

Time:  1:30 PM

Kory Meyerink is a seriously well-credentialed genealogist!  He is founding director of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, a founder of ProGenealogists, and a past president of the Utah Genealogical Association.  He has written extensively, including chapters in all editions of The Source, has spoken and lectured extensively, and his most recent book, New York in 1698, was just published last year.   His specialties include Colonial New England and tracing German and Dutch immigrants to America.  He will be speaking with us about "10 New Resources for New York Research."

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, March 27. The invite will be sent out on that Friday.

Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org  If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library.  Then register using the above email.

ZOOM Genealogy Club

 

Date:  Saturday, February 28, 2026

Time:  1:30 - 2:30 PM

We will welcome Laura Hobbs, to share her case study with us about her ancestor Patrick Derby, Jr. born in the late 18th century in Middletown, CT.

Laura's day job is that of hospital pharmacist, but she has been an avid genealogist for many years. She is currently the President of the Society of Middletown First Settlers Descendants and Secretary of the Board of Godfrey Memorial Library, and has been with both groups for many years. She will walk us through how she used the resources of the Godfrey as well as other sources to piece together Patrick's story.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, February 27. The invite will be sent out on that Friday.

Godfrey Premium members can register for free at the following email: zoomregistration@godfrey.org 

If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to attend the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home) with the payment sent to Godfrey Memorial Library.  Then register using the above email.