Tuesday's Tip: Gravestone Symbolism

Ever wonder about the artwork, symbols, or decorations on your ancestor's gravestone?  What do they mean? Check out our Facebook post today for some ideas.

Gravestone with Carvings

Godfrey's Unique Connecticut Resources

Did you know? 

Godfrey has a number of unique Connecticut resources that members can access online from home. These include everything from the Congregational church records of Middle Haddam and Cromwell to the funeral home records of Middletown. Just imagine finding your ancestor's cause of death in your PJs! Check out the full list here.

Tuesday's Tip: Doing Research in Middletown

You know your ancestors went to church or school in Middletown, but you don't know which one.  How do you find their records?

A Summer Concert at Middletown's Long Hill Estate

Middletown was once much larger and included parts of several other towns. Cromwell, north of Middletown, was founded as part of the Mattabesset settlement in 1651. It was called “Upper Houses” until its separation from Middletown in 1851. Parts of modern Portland and East Hampton also once belonged to Middletown and were called “East Middletown.” The areas were first settled in 1714. In 1767, East Middletown split from Middletown to become Chatham. In 1841, Chatham split again to become Portland and East Hampton. Middlefield was the last of Middletown’s parishes to split off, in 1866. As a result, records for these other towns may be found in Middletown archives.

For more information about Middletown and where to locate repositories, use this locality guide created by Godfrey staff member, Bryna O'Sullivan: Middletown Locality Guide

 

Tuesday's Tip: Spring Cleaning?

Are you cleaning out your bookshelves? Donate your unwanted books to the Godfrey Library!

The Godfrey Memorial Library gladly accepts donations of genealogy-related books. If we don't have a place for a book on our shelves, it may be included in our online book sale that helps support the Godfrey's continued operation.

We have more than 500 used books available for purchase on eBay and through our website. Topics include Connecticut history, New England history, genealogy resource and "how to" books, military, immigration, genealogies/biographies, and more. Many of these books are out of print and incredibly difficult to find, even through online markets. Books are priced below the rate found on AbeBooks and other popular genealogy book dealers.

Wish to make a donation? Please email Beth Mariotti at bmariotti@godfrey.org or call the library at 860-346-4375. We'll let you know what materials we can accept and how we can receive them. 

Interested in purchasing a book? Visit our online book sale for more details.

Books For Sale