Welcome to What's New at the Godfrey!

Welcome! After a respite, we are happy to announce that we are rejuvenating the Godfrey blog presence. We will be posting news, announcements and happenings, both here at Godfrey and in the larger genealogical community. We will continue to send out announcements via email (Constant Contact) as well. You can find us on Facebook, too, as well as Instagram. We look forward to sharing the news. Join the conversation!


The Godfrey Memorial Library is a private non-profit genealogy library located at 134 Newfield Street, Middletown Connecticut.  Founded in 1947 by Wesleyan librarian and dedicated genealogist Fremont Rider, the Godfrey has always striven to fulfill our mission of inspiring people to find their place in history.  The library is open free to members, and to non-members for a day use fee. A digital collection of resources (The Godfrey Scholar) can be accessed online, with a few "extras" for Premium members.

For more information about the Godfrey, please visit our website at www.godfrey.org

Genealogy Club - Saturday 1/7/17

Topic:
Tracing & Documenting Your Ancestry for the Mayflower Society
When and Where:
9:30 a.m. at the Godfrey Library

Established in 1896, The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Connecticut is a hereditary society dedicated to preserving and recording its Mayflower ancestors and promoting Mayflower Pilgrim history and ideals.

• Are you interested in applying to join the society, but don't know where to start?
• Do you have questions about what sources are acceptable when vital records can't be found?
• Would you like to know how to access previous research to help you along your way?

Robert Perry Ulrich of Glastonbury is a member of The Society of Mayflower Descendants who can trace his lineage back to at least 5 of the Pilgrims who settled on Cape Cod. He will use his own research as an example of how you can successfully document your Mayflower lineage for application to the Society.

Genealogy Club is free to Godfrey Premium members or $10 a session for all others.  Call (860) 346-4375 for membership information.

Participants will have time after the club meeting to do research at the library. Bring your laptop!

Holiday Closures - 2016/17

The library will be closed Friday, December 23 through Monday, January 2, 2017.  We will reopen with normal hours (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) on Tuesday, January 3.

Immigrant Ancestors - 12/16/2016

Topic:  Immigrant Ancestors - Special Interest Group
When and Where:
Friday, December 16, 2016
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. 

Join us for an informal research session focused on skills for genealogists seeking ancestors in their countries of origin. Coordinators for this session have experience with finding ship manifests, naturalization documents, and vital records from other countries.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get suggestions from Godfrey staff and group participants.  Discover resources at the library, other archives, and online databases.

Bring your laptop!

Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary. For membership information, call the library at (860) 346-4375.

Genealogy Club - Saturday 12/3/2016

Topic:
Searching for Ancestors "Off the Grid"
When and Where:
9:30 a.m. at the Godfrey Library

Having trouble finding an ancestor who disappeared?

Many of our research requests come from people seeking information about a family member who left the family and whose whereabouts were unknown, or someone whom the family never talked about.  Why did this person leave and where did they end up?

Godfrey Director Beth Mariotti and Godfrey board member Cathi Maxim will give examples of research that turned up missing ancestors.  They will share strategies for locating and tracking these ancestors, and will provide sources that can be used for this type of research.

Genealogy Club is free to Godfrey Premium members or $10 a session for all others.  The club meets on the first Saturday of each month (except July and August).

Participants will have time after the club meeting to do research at the library. Bring your laptop!

Thanksgiving Holiday 2016 - Closure

The library will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, 2106 for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We will reopen with normal hours on Tuesday, November 29.

Computer Skills for Genealogists - 11/23/16

Topic:  Computer Skills for Genealogists
When and Where:
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. 

Many of our patrons do not feel confident about using computers. Join us at the library for this informal session. Get tips for conducting online research, saving and editing documents, citing material found online, using family tree software, and more.

Bring your laptop!

Session is free and open only to Godfrey Premium members. No pre-registration necessary. For membership information, call the library at (860) 346-2523.