Genealogy Club - Saturday 1/7/17

Topic:
Tracing & Documenting Your Ancestry for the Mayflower Society
When and Where:
9:30 a.m. at the Godfrey Library

Established in 1896, The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Connecticut is a hereditary society dedicated to preserving and recording its Mayflower ancestors and promoting Mayflower Pilgrim history and ideals.

• Are you interested in applying to join the society, but don't know where to start?
• Do you have questions about what sources are acceptable when vital records can't be found?
• Would you like to know how to access previous research to help you along your way?

Robert Perry Ulrich of Glastonbury is a member of The Society of Mayflower Descendants who can trace his lineage back to at least 5 of the Pilgrims who settled on Cape Cod. He will use his own research as an example of how you can successfully document your Mayflower lineage for application to the Society.

Genealogy Club is free to Godfrey Premium members or $10 a session for all others.  Call (860) 346-4375 for membership information.

Participants will have time after the club meeting to do research at the library. Bring your laptop!

Holiday Closures - 2016/17

The library will be closed Friday, December 23 through Monday, January 2, 2017.  We will reopen with normal hours (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) on Tuesday, January 3.

Immigrant Ancestors - 12/16/2016

Topic:  Immigrant Ancestors - Special Interest Group
When and Where:
Friday, December 16, 2016
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. 

Join us for an informal research session focused on skills for genealogists seeking ancestors in their countries of origin. Coordinators for this session have experience with finding ship manifests, naturalization documents, and vital records from other countries.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.  Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases.

Bring your laptop!

Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary. For membership information, call the library at (860) 346-4375.

Genealogy Club - Saturday 12/3/2016

Topic:
Searching for Ancestors "Off the Grid"
When and Where:
9:30 a.m. at the Godfrey Library

Having trouble finding an ancestor who disappeared?

Many of our research requests come from people seeking information about a family member who left the family and whose whereabouts were unknown, or someone whom the family never talked about.  Why did this person leave and where did they end up?

Godfrey Director Beth Mariotti and Godfrey board member Cathi Maxim will give examples of research that turned up missing ancestors.  They will share strategies for locating and tracking these ancestors, and will provide sources that can be used for this type of research.

Genealogy Club is free to Godfrey Premium members or $10 a session for all others.  The club meets on the first Saturday of each month (except July and August).

Participants will have time after the club meeting to do research at the library. Bring your laptop!

Thanksgiving Holiday 2016 - Closure

The library will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, 2106 for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We will reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, November 29.

Computer Skills for Genealogists - 11/23/16

Topic:  Computer Skills for Genealogists
When and Where:
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. 

Many of our patrons do not feel confident about using computers. Join us at the library for this informal session. Get tips for conducting online research, saving and editing documents, citing material found online, using family tree software, and more.

Bring your laptop!

Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary. For membership information, call the library at (860) 346-2523.

Immigrant Ancestors - 11/18/16

Topic:  Immigrant Ancestors - Special Interest Group
When and Where:
Friday, November 18, 2016
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. 

Join us at the Godfrey Library for an informal research session focused on skills for genealogists seeking ancestors in their countries of origin. Coordinators for this session have experience with finding ship manifests, naturalization documents, and vital records from other countries.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.  Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases.

Bring your laptop!

Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary. For membership information, call the library at (860) 346-4375.

Lineage Researchers - Nov 11 & Dec 9, 2016

In November and December, the library will hold informal sessions focused on researching and submitting documentation for admission into lineage societies. Coordinators for these session have experience with lineage societies and seeking the early historical records necessary to provide adequate documentation.

Sessions will be held on the 2nd Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the library:

• Friday, November 11
• Friday, December 9

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.  Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases. Get help doing research as you learn!

Bring your laptop to make the most out of this useful information.

These sessions are free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary.  For membership information, call the library at 860-346-4375.

Genealogy Club - 11/5/2016

Topic:
Give Your Family the Gift of their Ancestry
When and Where:
9:30 a.m. at the Godfrey Library

Get tips and suggestions for holiday gift giving:  quilts, books, framed family trees, ornaments, and more.  Bring your own examples to share with others.

Genealogy Club is free to Godfrey Premium members or $10 a session for all others.  The club meets on the first Saturday of each month (except July and August).

Participants will have time after the club meeting to do research at the library. Bring your laptop!

Newer Genealogists - Nov & Dec 2016

In November and December, the library will hold informal sessions focused on building the research skills of newer genealogists. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.

The sessions are free and open only to Godfrey Premium members.  No pre-registration necessary. For membership information, call 860-346-2534.

Sessions will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the library:

• Tuesday, November 1 & 15
• Tuesday, December 6 & 20

Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases.  Get help doing research as you learn!

Computer Skills for Genealogists - 10/26/16

Topic:  Computer Skills for Genealogists
When and Where:
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. 

Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary.

Many of our patrons do not feel confident about using computers. Join us at the library for this informal session. Get tips for conducting online research, saving and editing documents, citing material found online, using family tree software, and more.

Bring your laptop!

Immigrant Ancestors - 10/21/16

Topic:  Immigrant Ancestors - Special Interest Group 
When and Where:
Friday, October 21, 2016
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
 
Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary.

Join us at the Godfrey Library for an informal research session focused on skills for genealogists seeking ancestors in their countries of origin. Coordinators for this session have experience with finding ship manifests, naturalization documents, and vital records from other countries.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.  Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases.

Bring your laptop!

Godfrey News - Columbus Day Closing 10/10/2016

The library will be CLOSED on Monday, October 10, 2016 for Columbus Day.  We will reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, October 11.

Genealogy Club - 10/1/2016

Topic:
Writing and Publishing Your Family History
When and Where:
9:30 a.m. at the Godfrey Library

Godfrey member Cindy MacNeil Sola will discuss how she formatted and published her beautifully designed 259-page family history, complete with genealogy, family stories, recipes, and thousands of digital documents and photos. Get tips and suggestions for your family history project.

Genealogy Club is free to Godfrey Premium members or $10 a session for all others.

Participants will have time after the presentation to do research at the library. Bring your laptop!

Computer Skills for Genealogists - 9/28/2016

Topic:  Computer Skills for Genealogists
When and Where:
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. 

Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary.

Many of our patrons do not feel confident about using computers. Join us at the library for this informal session. Get tips for conducting online research, saving and editing documents, citing material found online, using family tree software, and more.

Bring your laptop!

Immigrant Ancestors - 9/16/2016

Topic:  Immigrant Ancestors - Special Interest Group 
When and Where:
Friday, September 16, 2016
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
 
Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary.

Join us at the Godfrey Library for an informal research session focused on skills for genealogists seeking ancestors in their countries of origin. Coordinators for this session have experience with finding ship manifests, naturalization documents, and vital records from other countries.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.  Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases.

Bring your laptop!

Godfrey Training Series - Southington 9/19/2016

Topic: Where Did I Come From? Researching Immigrant Ancestors
When and Where:
Monday, September 19, 2016
6:30 p.m.
Southington Public Library - 255 Main Street
Southington, CT

Godfrey Director Beth Mariotti will guide participants in a search for their homeland, including a demonstration of how to locate:

• ship manifests
• naturalization records
• vital records in their country of origin

The presentation will include examples from many countries; providing tips on hiring foreign researchers; and using Family History Centers to find original foreign vital and church records.

New researchers will learn how to get started, what information is available, how to find it, and how to use it. More seasoned researchers will benefit from tips on search methods and helpful websites and databases.

Registration is required. Please call the Southington Public Library at (860) 628-0947 to register.

Godfrey Open House - 9/17/2016

134 Newfield Street, Middletown

Have you visited the Godfrey Library yet?  Stop by on Saturday, September 17th between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for our Open House.  Admission is free.

Tour the library and discover resources that can help you find your ancestors.

The Godfrey has a vast collection of books and materials from every state and many countries.  We also have a library subscription for Ancestry.com.

For more information, call 860-346-4375.

Genealogy Training Series - Norwich 9/12/16

Otis Library in Norwich

Topic:
Tips for Successful Online Research

When and Where:
September 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
Otis Library - 261 Main Street
Norwich, CT

Godfrey Director Beth Mariotti will speak on the multitude of resources available online and how to use them.  Get tips for:

• Discovering which documents are available online
• Using databases
• Successful Google searches
• Free sources such as ResearchIT and FamilySearch.org
• Managing online documents

Registration is required. Please call the Otis Library at (860) 889-2365 to register.

Lineage Researchers - Special Interest Group

Tree with Branches and Roots

These sessions are free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary.

In September and October, the library will hold informal sessions focused on researching and submitting documentation for admission into lineage societies. Coordinators for these session have experience with lineage societies and seeking the early historical records necessary to provide adequate documentation.

Sessions will be held on the 2nd Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the library:

• Friday, September 9
• Friday, October 14

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.  Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases. Get help doing research as you learn!

Bring your laptop to make the most out of this useful information.

Genealogy Training Series - Norwich 9/7/2016

Otis Library in Norwich

Topic:
Where Did I Come From? Researching Immigrant Ancestors

When and Where:
September 7, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
Otis Library - 261 Main Street
Norwich, CT

Godfrey Director Beth Mariotti will guide participants in a search for their homeland, including a demonstration of how to locate:

• ship manifests
• naturalization records
• vital records in their country of origin

The presentation will include examples from many countries; providing tips on hiring foreign researchers; and using Family History Centers to find original foreign vital and church records.

New researchers will learn how to get started, what information is available, how to find it, and how to use it. More seasoned researchers will benefit from tips on search methods and helpful websites and databases.

Registration is required. Please call the Otis Library at (860) 889-2365 to register.

Newer Genealogists - Special Interest Group

In September and October, the library will hold informal sessions focused on building the research skills of newer genealogists. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.

The sessions are free and open only to Godfrey Premium members.  No pre-registration necessary.

Sessions will be held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the library.

• Tuesday, September 6 & 20
• Tuesday, October 4 & 18

Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases.  Get help doing research as you learn!

Bring your laptop to make the most out of this useful information.
 

Godfrey News - Labor Day Closing 2016

The library will be CLOSED on Saturday, September 3rd through Monday, September 5th for the Labor Day weekend.  We will reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, September 6th.  Happy Holiday!

July Sale : 10% off Used Military Books

In the spirit of Independence Day, we're celebrating with a sale of military books in our used book collection! All military books are 10% off. If you order a book from our eBay listing, simply bid 10% less. To order from the listing on our website, call us at 860-346-4375. Sale ends Sunday, July 31.

Used Books for Sale

Upcoming Event: Cemetery Resources Online

Have you ever wondered how to locate an ancestor's tombstone?  There are online resources that can help. 

Old Tombstone

Join us June 20 from 6-8 pm for an Internet Genealogy Group session on online resources for locating cemetery records. 

Internet Genealogy Group is free for Premium members; $15 for all others. Please pre-register by calling 860-346-4375.

Upcoming Event: Open House on Middletown Resources

Library sign on Newfield Street

Are you curious about the Library, but have never visited? Join us on Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. for our quarterly open house.
 

This quarter we are celebrating our extensive collection of original Middletown records. Stop by the Library for a tour and a chance to discover resources that can teach you more about your Middletown ancestors.

Have a genealogy problem to solve? You can also schedule half-hour consultations during the Open House for a $15 fee. Consultations are available by appointment. Please call 860-346-4375 to reserve a time.

We hope to see you there!

Call for Volunteers!

If you love cemeteries, we know immediately that you're a genealogist.  But did you know you can use that interest to help other genealogists with Connecticut roots?

If you have time to share, please consider participating in the Ed Laput Cemetery Project.  Volunteers are involved in photographing and transcribing tombstones, building databases, and searching cemetery records.

Tombstones continue to deteriorate and cemetery records are sometimes missing, damaged, or poorly organized.  The project seeks to preserve tombstone design and carving, as well as identify "lost" cemeteries.  To date, volunteers have completed 956 cemeteries with 370,664 names and 303,321 photographs.  Eleven Connecticut towns have all of their cemeteries done.  

Tombstone

Volunteering can be an excellent community service project for groups or a way for a community to honor their heritage.

Interested in participating? Please email Beth Mariotti at bmariotti@godfrey.org or call the library at 860-346-4375.

Upcoming Event: Using the US Census for Family History Research

Are you just getting started in genealogy?  Imagine finding a source that would help you trace your family over time, find the names of their siblings, and much more.

Uncle Sam & U.S. Census

Discover how the U.S. Census can help your family history research in our upcoming 2-hour class. The class will explain what census enumerations are available, how to access them, and what questions they can answer about your ancestors.

The class will meet June 2 from 1-3 p.m. at Godfrey Memorial Library. The cost is $15 per person. Please pre-register by calling the Library at 860-346-4375.  Click here to see the flier. 

We hope to see you there!

Upcoming Event: Using Cemetery Records to Help Your Genealogy Research

Cemetery records can be a valuable resource for building your family tree.

gravestone

This gravestone, for example, includes not only the ancestor's information, but also whom she married.

So how do you locate gravestones, plot records, and other cemetery information?

Join us on June 4 at 9:30 a.m. for a Genealogy Club meeting on cemetery records. We'll discuss resources that can help you determine where your ancestor was buried and give hints about what other information, besides their gravestone, may exist.

Gene Gumbs, head of the Ed Laput CT Cemetery Project, will also speak about that project and how it can help your research.

Genealogy Club is free for Godfrey Premium Members or $10 per session for Guest Members.

Wesleyan University Donates Two Computers

Computer Stations at the Godfrey

Thank you to Wesleyan University for the donation of two computers for our patrons to use. Your gift is so appreciated!

Upcoming Event: Quebec Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Wondering how to locate your Quebec ancestor's birth, death, or marriage record?

French Manuscript

Quebec used church records as substitutes for birth, death, and marriage records until the 20th century. Many have been digitized and are now online.

Library sign on Newfield Street

Join us for Internet Genealogy Group on May 16 from 6-8 pm at the Library. Discover how to locate these records on Ancestry's Library Edition, and learn how to understand their content – even if you don't speak French.

Please preregister by calling 860-346-4375. Free for Premium Members; otherwise $15.

Today is our 65th Anniversary!

Front Door to Library

That's right. Sixty-five years ago today, our founder, Fremont Rider, opened Godfrey Memorial Library to the pubic.

Click here to see the newspaper article from 1951 describing our founder and the library. 

To celebrate, we are offering 50% off the price of our sale books. Click here to view book listings and purchase books. If purchasing on eBay, simply bid 50% and we will accept it.

Upcoming Event: Genealogy Club on French-Canadian Research

If your family descends from French-Canadians and you've been struggling to locate records, you're in luck! On May 7, the Godfrey Genealogy Club will welcome Maryanne LeGrow, president of the French-Canadian Genealogical Society of Connecticut.

Maryanne will discuss the types of records available for French-Canadian research; how they differ from American records; what challenges you might face when doing research; and what records you can access at the Society's library in Tolland and at the Godfrey Library.

Maryanne LeGrow

If you've yet to attend a Genealogy Club session, it's time to check us out. The Genealogy Club meets on the first Saturday of the month, starting at 9:30 a.m. For Premium members, admission is included with your membership. For Basic members and Guests of the library, admission is $10 per session.

Genealogy Club attendees are welcome to use the library after the meeting. Staff will be available to answer questions.

Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Event: Using ResearchIT CT for Genealogy

We all loving hear the words "free genealogy resources!"

Did you know Connecticut residents have free access to a number of genealogy databases through the database ResearchIT CT (formerly IConn)? These include newspaper databases, genealogy specific websites, and more. 

To begin, go to www.researchitct.org

For genealogy specific databases, click on "Genealogy" on the left side of the page. 

Then click on the title, and if requested, enter your library bar code.


To get more help or to find out what else is available, join us for a session on using the ResearchIt CT website for genealogy on April 18, 2016 between 6-8 pm.

Please bring your laptop. The session is free to Godfrey Premium members and open to others at $15.

Pre-registration is required. Register by calling the library at 860-346-4375. Questions? Visit at www.godfrey.org

Celebrating Middlefield's 150th!

  Separated from Middletown in 1866, Middlefield is celebrating its 150th this year by acknowledging its history!

  Did you have Middlefield, CT heritage? Godfrey Library can be a great place to start... We have a number of books about Middlefield's past, including cemetery inscriptions, collections of historic photos and more.

 

Middlefield's cemeteries have also been completely photographed and are available as part of our Godfrey Scholar collection for Premium Members. 

Have a membership? 

Go to www.godfrey.org and click on "Godfrey Scholar +." 

Click on "Cemeteries." 

Click on "Connecticut, Middlesex County Cemeteries."

Click on "Middlefield, CT."

And click on the cemetery name to see photos. Often, our collection is better than what's available on Find A Grave, as it is photographed more completely and earlier, avoiding the recent damage to stones...

Looking for more Middlefield history? The Middlefield Historical Society and Wadsworth Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution are hosting a cleaning for Middlefield's Old North on April 30th at 9 am. More information available here. 

Happy hunting!

Volunteering at Godfrey

  Looking for a way to give back and love genealogy? 

          Have you ever thought about volunteering for Godfrey? 

 

 

We would love your help! Here are a few of the opportunities we offer.

Database builder: As a database builder, you will digitize materials or help transcribe information in spreadsheets. You may work with original church and funeral home records or on the Ed Laput Connecticut Cemetery Collection.
Family History Center Volunteer: Our in-house Family History Center offers patrons onsite access to microfilms rented from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. As a volunteer, you will help patrons use the films and, if needed, decipher records.

         Genealogy Researcher: As a genealogy researcher, you will respond to requests for research.
         Projects may be simple look ups or require more extensive research. 

          Marketer: As a marketing volunteer, you will help create blog posts, press releases, and
          other marketing materials.  Love programming? You may be asked to help revamp our website.
          Love people? Volunteer to "man" our booth at a genealogy conference.

         Presenter: As a presenter, you will give presentations at public libraries on our behalf. Topics can be an
         overview of our resources, basic genealogy, or something more specialized.

         Reference Assistant: As a reference assistant, you will greet patrons, offer tours of the library, and
         guide them in the use of our resources.

Did you know we offer benefits? 

Volunteers receive specific training for their volunteer task; monthly group training; and premium membership to the library, allowing online access, event entry and book sale discounts.

Want to join us? 

Call 860-346-4375 today!

It's not Halloween... but it's almost time for witches!

Do you know if your ancestor was accused of witchcraft? It didn't just happen in Salem - but throughout all of New England. Godfrey resources can help you find if your ancestors were ever called "witches."

Want to know why they were called witches? Join us on April 2 for board member Cathi Maxim's Genealogy Club talk on witchcraft in colonial history! More information here.

Upcoming Event: Using the Connecticut State Library Website

Most Connecticut genealogists know the State Library is a must-visit site. They have duplicate copies of Connecticut church records, probate records, and much, much more... But did you know they also have a terrific website?

On March 21st from 6 to 8 pm, Godfrey staffer Bryna O'Sullivan will teach you  how to use the website for genealogy. Registration is required and full information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/108892012834948/.

Here's a sneak preview...

Probate records are one of the hardest types of records to use for Connecticut genealogy. Why? Because unlike vital or land records, they were never kept on the town level. Instead, probates have always been kept on the district level. Unfortunately for genealogists, those districts have changed regularly over time... so how you figure out where your ancestor's records might be located?

 Some are actually online and easily searchable. ResearchITCT gives Connecticut residents access to probate microfilms available on Ancestry.

Your ancestor's records not there? Try the guide available here to determine the correct probate district and contact the court in question...

Hope to see you Monday.

Tuesday's Tip: How to Order Films to View at the Godfrey Family History Center

Did you know you can use Godfrey’s Family History Center to look at films from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City? It’s a great way to examine records from around the world and even dating back to colonial times in the U.S.

Here's how to order.

Don’t have an account?

1.      Go to www.familysearch.org/films.

2.      Click “Create an account” and follow the steps to designate Godfrey as the Family History Center you will use to view films. 

Do you have the film number?

1)      Go back to www.familysearch.org/films

2)      Enter the number in the box to the left and click “Search.”Information will appear to the right which allows you to place your order

Don’t have the film number?

1)      Go to www.familysearch.org.

2)      Click “Search” and then “Catalog.”

3)      Choose a search category and enter the pertinent information.

4)      Click “Search.”

5)      A new page called "Search Results for FamilySearch Catalog" will open. Click on a category and then a title for more information.

6)     Scroll down to see details of the listing of films and the film numbers.

7)      Click on the film image next to the film you wish to order.

8)      A new page will open with instructions. Follow them to complete your order.