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.