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.