The Winchell family of Egremont, Mass. stems originally from that of Robert Winchell of Windsor, Conn. The “Genealogy of the Winchell Family” by Alexander Winchell (early edition of 1869 and a new and revised edition of 1917), seems to give the earlier generations of this family correctly, but it fails to make the proper connection for David and Azariah and Joseph Winchell of Egremont. This book corrects that.
This 1865 pamphlet is a genealogical record focused on the Lyman, Dickinson, and Partridge families of New England and Canada. Compiled by James T. Dickinson, the text reconstructs lineage through historical deeds, probate records, and tombstone inscriptions to correct previous errors (pre 1865) in published family histories. The document centers on the Lyman branch in Middlefield, the Dickinsons of Montreal, and the Partridges of Hatfield, documenting their arrival and subsequent settlement in New England. Detailed pedigree charts and narrative biographies illustrate connections to significant colonial figures, including several governors and prominent ministers.
This volume presents an extensive genealogy of the descendants of Alexander Alvord, an early settler of Windsor, Connecticut, and Northampton, Massachusetts. Its preparation rests upon more than forty years of intermittent research, revision, and expansion, drawing together the efforts of several generations of family historians.
This history of Bolton, Connecticut, is a commemorative sketch prepared by Samuel Morgan Alvord for the town’s 1920 bicentennial. It emphasizes the role of small New England communities in carrying Pilgrim and Puritan traditions into the broader nation. The narrative outlines the earliest land dealings, shaped by General Court grants and by the complicated claims arising from the large tracts associated with Joshua, son of Uncas, the Mohegan sachem. Following Bolton’s incorporation in 1720, the account turns to the organization of the Congregational Church, including the town’s early call to Jonathan Edwards and the long service of Rev. Thomas White. The work then follows Bolton’s civic, religious, and household development and closes with notes on its industries and leading residents.
The history of Glastonbury, Connecticut, from 1653 to 1853 chronicles an account of its schools, commerce, mills, and ecclesiastical societies. The author, Alonzo Bowen Chapin, balances the general history with personal narratives, making the reading engaging for individuals tracing their ancestry. The work provides valuable insights into the town’s development, the contributions of its early ministers, and the influences of religion and learning that shaped the community. Unfortunately, the work is limited in the depths of the genealogy presented.
The book titled “History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880” presents a comprehensive account of Derby’s development, including the town’s Indian history, early settlers, and significant events like the Revolutionary War. It emphasizes education, commerce, and church influences, while offering an extensive collection of biographies and genealogies.
The History of the Town of Cornwall Connecticut is a comprehensive account of the town’s evolution from colonial organization in 1731 to its involvement in national events like the Civil War. They include detailed geographical descriptions, ecclesiastical histories of local churches, and biographical sketches of families such as the Sedgwicks and Golds. The records also reflect social life, farming, early fashion, and the noteworthy Foreign Mission School.
This volume brings together the vital records of Coventry, Connecticut, covering the years 1711 to 1844. The opening section outlines the early history of Coventry’s settlement, beginning with the land grant from Joshua, son of Uncas, chief of the Mohegans, and the subsequent action by the General Assembly to organize and name the town. The main body of the work arranges the records alphabetically by surname, listing names, dates, and family relationships, with occasional notes on illegitimacy, prior residence, or military service. Together, these records preserve key details of the town’s earliest generations. Included are entries drawn from both town and church sources.
This volume contains a carefully prepared transcription of the vital records of Mansfield, Connecticut, covering the years 1703 to 1850. Compiled by Susan W. Dimock, its purpose is to preserve and make accessible the town’s early historical data. That information includes lists of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths drawn from both town and church records. The introductory section outlines Mansfield’s early history, beginning with its origins in land once held by a Mohegan chief. The main body of the work arranges the records alphabetically by surname, listing names, dates, and family relationships, with occasional notes on illegitimacy, prior residence, or military service.
On 28 September 1838, 100 years after the settlement of their small town, the current citizens and some past residents gathered to celebrate the centennial of Goshen, Connecticut. On that day Grant Powers stood before then and addressed them concerning the history of their fine village. This pamphlet is that history in its published form, which was done the following year and at the request of the town proprietors.
A brief history of the town of Norfolk, Connecticut, from 1738 to 1844: and a summary of events and transactions which have occurred in this town, from its first settlement, chronologically arranged. Faithfully collected from the public records of the town and other correct documents, with the dates accurately annexed. To which is added a description of the town, incidents, list of officers, and other interesting matter.
Though the work, Historical sketch of Lisbon, Conn., from 1786-1900, forms a modest octavo volume of only eighty-four pages, this book condenses within that limit the ecclesiastical and narrative history of the town, together with brief biographies and genealogies of its sons and daughters. The ecclesiastical history covers the sixty-eight years from 1718 to 1786 when Lisbon was a part of Norwich, and brings the record down to the 1900, embracing the Hanover parish, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1891. The narrative and descriptive history commences with Lisbon’s independent existence as a town, and comes down to the present day; and the brief biographical and genealogical sketches which follow occupy the last half of the book, and include lists of town officers, members of the General Assembly, and soldiers and sailors who served in the various wars of our country.
This history of Montville, Connecticut spans from 1640 to 1896, highlighting the interactions between early colonial settlers and the Mohegan tribe, particularly regarding land disputes and legal challenges. The text, largely genealogical, traces the ancestry of local families across over 500 pages while detailing the region’s evolution from native subsistence to a burgeoning Colonial economy complete with industries like grist-mills, saw-mills, and the manufacturers of bog-iron and textiles.
The Patten genealogy is quite expansive in its 290 pages, as it presents known descendants of William Patten of Cambridge down through nine generation. Published in 1908 it lacks the source and quality control of more recent professional genealogies, but still provides Patten descendants with plenty of material for their genealogical research. Early descendants of William Patten resided in Amesbury, Billerica, Cambridge, and Tewksbury, Massachusetts; as well as Killingly, Stafford, and Windham, Connecticut and Lincoln County, Maine.
Connecticut has a rich newspaper history, with over 2,000 distinct publications since 1755, beginning with the Connecticut Gazette. While they serve genealogists through vital announcements, newspapers also document local events, legal matters, and business updates. A comprehensive list of 258 historical and current newspapers is available online, organized by town and publication date. Some papers, like the Norwich Bulletin, are especially valuable for family history research. For towns without digitized newspapers, exploring nearby options is advised.
The Connecticut State Library hosts an impressive index of approximately 25,000 transcribed entries from family Bibles and records, encompassing the 1600s to the early 1900s. Researchers can find linked volumes that detail multiple family members, with each entry noting the original source and ownership. The records are accessible online and users are encouraged to utilize the available index for navigation. Please note that Volumes 24-27 remain unindexed, and these are transcriptions rather than original document images, which remain housed in Hartford.
Miss Belle Preston initiated her ancestry research in 1898 in Hinsdale, Illinois, later tracing the Bassett lineage after moving to Brooklyn. Using various libraries as resources, she documented numerous New England colonial immigrants from both families, including six Mayflower ancestors. The book details eighty-nine Bassett and ninety-two Preston ancestors in the ninth generation. Belle’s connection to New England relatives is highlighted, noting an impending loss of that intimate knowledge as family members pass away. Read and download the PDF.
Bethany Sketches and Records, was compiled and published by W. C. Sharpe in Seymour, Connecticut, with Part 1 issued in 1908 and Part 2 in 1913. These books aim to present historical sketches, transcripts of records, and other collected data in a convenient form for reference. The compiler acknowledges that errors may exist in names and dates, likely originating from the original records themselves, where spellings varied and dates were not always correctly entered. The content contains the ecclesiastical and civil history of Bethany, Connecticut, including details on its incorporation as a society in 1762 and as a town in 1832, the development of its Congregational and Episcopal churches, vital statistics such as marriages, baptisms, and funerals, and information on local families, schools, and topography.
Charles Storrs of Brooklyn, New York, dedicated over 20 years to compiling “The Storrs Family: Genealogical and Other Memoranda,” which traces his family lineage from the immigrant ancestor Samuel Storrs in Connecticut. Although it includes some limitations regarding early history and distant branches, the 1886 publication remains a valuable resource for descendants and researchers interested in the Storrs family. Organized by generations, it serves as a guide for validating genealogical information rather than absolute proof.
Cyrus Henry Brown’s Brown Genealogy, first published in 1907, is an essential resource for genealogists tracing the Brown family lineage. This volume, published in 1915 and labeled as “Volume II,” should be understood as a complete replacement of the original volume rather than a supplementary addition. Brown’s new research and updates make this work a standalone resource for those exploring the Brown family’s extensive history. It is fully indexed, and the content spans nearly 250 years, offering valuable insight into numerous branches of the family.