Connecticut

Connecticut Census Research

Federal censuses for the state of Connecticut began in 1790. A Connecticut Census Index, 1790-1830 is available at the Connecticut State Library.

Jay Mack Holbrook’s Connecticut 1670 Census (Oxford, MA: Holbrook Research Institute, 1977), combines a number of sources (tax, land, church, freeman, probate) attempting to count the heads of household by name for the entire colony in the time period 1667–73. This is the most complete pre statehood enumeration available.

No state population censuses were taken for Connecticut, although a number of inventories and enumerations of population exist (with and without names). However, a special Military Census of 1917 listed all males between at least twenty to thirty years of age, although most towns reported those ages sixteen through sixty. The data includes name, age, birth and number of dependents, ability to perform certain tasks, and occupation.

Connecticut Vital Records

Marriages were recorded in Connecticut as early as 1640. In fact registration of births, marriages, and deaths had become the town clerk’s responsibility by 1650. Following the Revolution to the mid-nineteenth century, the recording is not as thorough, but by 1870 when the State Board of Health was established, recording in all towns improved. To the present, recording of vital events is the town clerk’s responsibility.

• Connecticut Department of Public Health: Holds records of births, marriages, civil unions, and deaths from 01 July 1897. For earlier records, contact the Clerk of the town where the event occurred. Records may also be requested from the Clerk of the town where the event occurred. For more information on ordering, see the Vital Records page. 
• Connecticut State Library – Vital Records page: The Library holds the Barbour Index and copies of many microfilmed vital records to about 1900.

Connecticut Research Resources

The organizations listed below provide information about Connecticut history and genealogy. In addition to these state-level resources, many counties and towns maintain important genealogical collections in local libraries, genealogical societies, or historical societies, so check for a local resource when researching

Statewide Research Resources

• Connecticut State Archives – History and Genealogy page: Describes the Archives’ extensive collection of genealogy resources, and provides a list of resource links and finding aids.
• Connecticut State Library
• Connecticut Historical Society: See the “Family History” section under Research for a description of resources available at the Research Center in Hartford, including the circulating Woodward Genealogy Loan Collection.
• Center for Connecticut Studies at Eastern Connecticut State University: Holds a variety of historical documents and records with a focus on Tolland, New London, and Windham counties.
• Connecticut Society of Genealogists (CSG): Includes an index search of CSG databases, historical records, photographs, and the digitized archives of the Society’s quarterly bulletin The Connecticut Nutmegger.
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) at Boston: This NARA facility maintains records from Federal agencies and courts in Connecticut, including census, military, court, naturalization, and immigration records.

Specialty and Regional Research

• New England Historic Genealogical Society: NEHGS holds a wide range of records on New England states, including Connecticut.
• Godfrey Memorial Library: Located in Middletown, Godfrey Library holds an extensive collection of U.S. and international genealogy research materials. The Library is the creator of the American Genealogical and Biographical Index (AGBI).
• Connecticut’s Heritage Gateway: This directory of state historical resources includes sections on “The Records of Our Past” and “Connecticut Photo Album” which may be of interest to genealogy researchers.