We are OPEN again!

We are back to our normal hours:

 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

1st and 3rd Saturdays, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

We are practicing social distancing and wearing masks, and we ask that you do the same when you visit. We will be sanitizing surfaces during the day.

 

Genealogy Clubs will be presented via Zoom until further notice.

Coronavirus Closure

Due to the coronavirus concerns, we have decided to close the library to walk-in visits effective immediately, until further notice. 

 However, that doesn't mean your research has to come to a halt. We will continue to conduct research and answer your requests submitted by email, snail mail and telephone. Rest assured we will also remain busy working on digitization and organization projects in our continuing efforts to make your research experience with us even better. Take care of yourselves and each other -- and don't forget to visit the website!

Genealogy Club - March 7, 2020

     

Change of Topic

“How to Research Early American Ancestors (17th & 18th Century)”

with Al Fiacre, Chair of the Godfrey Board of Trustees

We all know the story.  You’re researching your family line, proceeding backwards through time.  You’re going along great guns, using the U.S. Census, vital records, maybe Civil War records, wills – but as you approach the early 1800s these resources seem to thin out and become less helpful. You’re thinking: “What, no family members listed in the pre-1850 census!? Now what?”

Don’t despair!  Resources do exist, but you may not be as familiar with them.  Al Fiacre will share some of the most useful 17th and early 18th century resources to help you track your ancestors from that time period.  Brick walls be gone!  We hope you can join us, and we think you’ll be glad you did.

Free to Godfrey Premium Members.  $10 per session for all others.  Open to the general public.  Attendees will have time after the meeting to do research at the library. 

Note: Due to scheduling issues, we had to change the topic of the March Genealogy Club. We hope to have a speaker on Irish Genealogy in the coming months. 

Genealogy Club - Saturday, February 1, 2020

 

Saturday, February 01, 2020

9:30 - 11:00 am

“Channeling Your Inner Columbo:  Going Beyond Vital Records to Expand Your Family Tree”

with Dorena Wasik

What does Columbo have to do with genealogy?  On the series, he always found a small detail – overlooked by everyone else – that solved the case.  In this presentation, we will learn to look for those small details to find unknown family and bring our family trees to life.  There are many useful documents to be found beyond birth, marriage, or death certificates (BMD).  They include ship arrival records, naturalization papers, and obituaries, among many other items.  Just because you think you know all the information you need, take another look to find some valuable clues.

Dorena Wasik has been doing Polish genealogy research for over 10 years.  She has spoken at several genealogy conferences in Poland, helping Polish genealogists to find their American family.  She is member of the Polish American Foundation of Connecticut, heading the program “Welcome Home” that reconnects Americans with their Polish roots.

Free to Godfrey Premium members.  $10 per session for all others.  Open to the general public.  Attendees will have time after the meeting to do research at the library.

 

BU Group Meetings for January - April 2019

The Godfrey Library hosts an open meeting for those who have earned a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University.  Meetings are typically held at the library on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 - 7:30 pm.  Come for a lively discussion on various topics of genealogical interest.  Free.

Upcoming meetings will be held on the following dates:

January 15
February 12
March 18
April 15