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.

ZOOM Genealogy Club

 

John Grenham

Date:    Saturday, January 24, 2026

Time:    1:30 PM

Topic:   Mapping Ireland's Records

John Grenham, straight from Dublin, will tell us about using his website johngrenham.com for Mapping Ireland's Records.  If you've never heard John speak or visited his website, you're in for a treat.

John has extensive background in Irish genealogy, having worked for and with the Irish Times and the Dublin City Library among other prestigious organizations. With the help of his son Eoin, he now runs his own website which acts as an excellent jumping off point for Irish genealogical research. He also wrote THE book on Irish genealogy, Tracing Your Irish Ancestors. He has that lovely Irish lilt and a wonderfully wry sense of humor.  You’ll enjoy his presentation. We're thrilled that he'll be joining us.

Here is his description of his presentation:

The talk explores ways in which visualising the locations of households of particular surnames in Catholic records, valuations, census records and records of births, marriages and deaths can help with genealogy and local history, providing vivid examples of just how local some names are and how impossibly widespread others can be. All the records covered are free online and form part the basis of almost all nineteenth-century Irish research.

In addition, some of the focus will be on maps of the geographic areas used to collect the records. The talk will give some of the technical background involved in creating the maps, but will mostly focus on their use and on how they shed light on Irish surnames and Irish families.

A 33% discount on a year's subscription to www.johngrenham.com will be available for three days after the talk.  

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, January 23. 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.

HYBRID Genealogy Club - Saturday, November 22, 2025

 

Date:    Saturday, November 22, 2025

Time:    1:30 - 2:30 PM

Tried and True Published Sources for Early Connecticut Research with Al Fiacre, Board Chair and Treasurer, Godfrey Memorial Library

This is a reprise of Al's popular New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC) presentation for those of you who were unable to make it to New Hampshire earlier this month.

Not everything of genealogical value has been digitized. Join Al as he discusses some Connecticut genealogy resources that have stood the test of time and are sometimes overlooked.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, November 21 . 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.

Note:  We've had a few requests lately to try a hybrid (Zoom and in-person) Genealogy Club, and we're going to give it a try with our November meeting.  So locals, come and join us!

ZOOM Genealogy Club, Saturday, October 25, 2025

 

Date:    Saturday, October 25, 2025

Time:    1:30 PM

It's time for another Genealogy Club group chat! We'll all be presenters! Topics to consider:

1. AI -- have you found some legitimate uses for it in your genealogy?

2. How about the full-text search at FamilySearch? Success stories? Frustrations? Hints for most effective use?

3. Maybe you have a brick wall that you want the "hive mind" to help you with.

4. Other ideas? Send us an email before that day with suggestions.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, October 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, September 27, 2025

 

Date:    Saturday, September 27, 2025

Time:    1:30 PM

Marian Burk Wood will present "Free Resources for New York Genealogical Research."

This is the first time we've welcomed Marian to Genealogy Club and we think you will enjoy her presentation. New York was often the first place New England families emigrated to, so there's a good chance you had an ancestor who lived there at one time.

 "Upstate, downstate, all around the Empire state, discover or rediscover free resources for investigating ancestors' lives and family history context. Step-by-step, learn how to navigate no-fee websites with many updated links to New York area digitized county histories, digitized vital records, oral histories, old photos and postcards, state census records, historic newspapers, county/local history experts, and much more."

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, September 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.

ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, July 26, 2025

 

Date:    Saturday, July 26, 2025

Time:    1:30 - 2:30 PM

Topic:    "Hidden in Plain Sight: Using Image-Only Collections Online"

              with Katy Bodenhorn

Sites like FamilySearch contain millions of records that are online, but because they are not indexed and searchable by name, many genealogists miss out on them. From deeds and probate files to military pensions and church books, the answer to your brick wall mystery may well be accessible on your home computer without you knowing it. This presentation will cover the best ways (including the new FamilySearch Full-Text Search feature) to access these treasures hidden in plain sight.

Katy is a freelance genealogist and the former genealogy director for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) in Philadelphia. She received a BA in Family History/Genealogy from Brigham Young University and has over a decade of experience as a genealogy researcher, helping people learn about their ancestry. Prior to HSP, Katy worked for Legacy Tree Genealogists in Salt Lake City, where she spent seven years as a senior editor and researcher across a wide range of geographic specialties. Today she is the owner of Katy Bodenhorn Genealogy Research, LLC, and a contract researcher with Price Genealogy.

Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, July 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, June 28, 2025

  

Saturday, June 28, 2025

1:30 - 2:30 PM

Annette Burke Lyttle presents "Our Quaker Ancestors: Their History and the Records They Left."

Quakers were among the earliest settlers in North America and, as they moved west, they were often the earliest settlers in newly-opened territory. Quakers were amazing record-keepers. Not only did they record births, marriages, and deaths, they also kept extensive records on those who came into their local meetings and those who left. Transgressions by members of the community were publicly discussed and recorded and, as they came to believe that slavery was evil, their records on Quakers who kept slaves became extensive. Learn about the history of these pioneering Americans and how to find the rich records they left behind.

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET). Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, June 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 - Saturday, May 31, 2025

 

Date: Saturday, May 31, 2025

Time:  1:30 - 2:30 PM ET

Since May is a nice long month, we're able to squeeze in another Genealogy Club, even with the 4th Saturday being a holiday weekend. 

You're in for a treat -- we'll be hosting Thomas MacEntee who will be talking about How to Future-Proof Your Research. We can't tell you how many times we hear folks worrying about what will become of their genealogical efforts. It seems the kids don't want our heavy old furniture, nor do they necessarily want to inherit all our hours and hours of painstaking family research. We can hope they'll change their minds, but what if they don't? You may well have seen or heard Thomas before, as he's very well-known in the genealogy world, one of his specialties being things technological. He has recently announced that he will no longer be doing webinars after December, so don't miss this chance to see him! 

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET).  Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, May 30.  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, April 26, 2025

ZOOM GENEALOGY CLUB

Date:  Saturday, April 26, 2025

Time:  1:30 - 2:30 PM (ET)

Topic:  "Back to Basics:  How to Get Started When You're New to Genealogy"

Presenters:  Carol Ansel & Al Fiacre

Carol is the Library Director and Al is the Board Chair and Treasurer of the Godfrey Memorial Library, the host of this event. 

If you're an old hand at doing genealogy, join us at the halfway mark (2:00-ish) to add your two cents to the discussion -- what do you wish you had known when you were first starting out?

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET).  Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, April 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, Feb. 22, 2025

 

Date:    Saturday, February 21, 2025

Time:    1:30 pm (Eastern Time)

Topic:    "Paying It Forward"

We will welcome Michael Cassara to talk about rescuing those abandoned family photos and documents you sometimes come across in antique shops and resale stores.  Don't they make you sad?  Michael will talk about how folks are reuniting families with their treasures, something that has become somewhat easier in this digital age.

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET).  Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, February 21.  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, January 25, 2025

 

Time:    1:30 - 2:30 pm Eastern Time

Diane Boumenot joined us way back in May of 2021 to talk about vital records. It's way past time to have her join us again.

In the last five years, more records of importance to genealogists researching Rhode Island ancestors have been coming online. But these are in multiple places, and access and navigation may not be clear. Let’s explore the wealth of great Rhode Island records now available right from home.

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET).  Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, January 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 - November 23, 2024

  

Topic:    "We're Not Just Connecticut"

Time:    1:30 pm (ET) 

Godfrey Library Director Carol Ansel will share some of the interesting and helpful resources on the Scholar (online) and at the library (on-site) about places other than Connecticut.

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

If you are not a Godfrey Premium member and want to view the presentation, you can pay $10 via PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/us/home), then register using the above email.

ZOOM Genealogy Club - Saturday, October 26, 2024

 

image source:  Library of Congress

Time:  1:30 p.m.

On Saturday, October 26, Pam Vestal will present Part II of "Deciphering Old Handwriting."

We've received rave reviews on Pam's Part I of Deciphering Difficult Handwriting last month.  Now join us for Part II of her presentation/workshop on deciphering early handwritten documents. 

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET).  Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, October 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, September 28, 2024

 

Image Source:  Library of Congress

HOST:  Godfrey Memorial Library, Middletown, CT

TOPIC:  Deciphering Old Handwriting 

SPEAKER:  Pam Vestal

DATE:  Saturday, September 28, 2024

TIME:  1:30 PM (Eastern Time)

On Saturday, September 28, Pam Vestal will present Part I of Deciphering Old Handwriting.

Pam did a great presentation for the Godfrey's Genealogy Club back in March and April on researching Eastern European ancestors. This month and next month, we welcome her with her two-part presentation/workshop on deciphering early handwritten documents. We hope you will find it to be a huge help!

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET).  Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, September 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 - Saturday, July 27, 2024

 

Image Source:  Lineage Society of America

Host:  Godfrey Memorial Library, Middletown, CT

Topic:  "Lineage Societies: How to Apply"

Presenter:  Al Fiacre, Chair of the Godfrey Board of Directors

Time:  1:30 pm (ET)

Al Fiacre will give a presentation all about lineage societies. Over the years, we have helped many people with their applications to organizations such as the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution), the GSMD (General Society of Mayflower Descendants or Mayflower Society), The Society of the Cincinnati, and The Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, to name a few. Sometimes we just give a few hints and words of advice, but in many cases, folks hire us to carry out some more research and to complete the application for them. Al will share advice on how to go about putting together a strong application. Even if you're not planning on applying soon, you'll undoubtedly learn something to help you in your research.

The Zoom presentation will take place at 1:30 pm (ET) on July 27.  Please register by 4:00 PM Friday, July 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.