Blog for Connecticut Ancestor Connections: Historical and Genealogical Research

East Haddam Barns: A Pictorial Survey

2008-10-07T21:37:00.002-04:00

East Haddam Barns: A Pictorial Survey By George Fellner The pastoral character of East Haddam is enhanced by a plethora of barn subject material. This is the fifth annual photo/essay presentation performed by local architect George Fellner and sponsored by the East Haddam Historical Society and Museum.

Using his camera and lenses, Mr. Fellner searches for unique and stimulating representations of the built and natural environment,celebrating the history, architecture, and landscape of this quintessential Connecticut town. In this program, he reviews the basic history of barns, barn typology, and construction integrated with a series of visual case studies. The selected images portray a range of barn types, including old as well as recently constructed manifestations of the barn theme. As in previous programs, the intent is to evoke an appreciation of the past and to realize the relevance of the past within the context of the present!

East Haddam Historical Society & Museum
264 Town Street, East Haddam, CT
Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 7:30pm
Refreshments will be served!

Fairfield County Loyalist Documents & Ghostly Encounters

2008-10-07T21:24:00.004-04:00

Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc. Fall Program.

Fairfield County Loyalist Documents and Ghostly Encounters with Paul J. Bunnell, UE

Sunday, October 26, 2008 from 2:00 PM to 4:00
New Cannan Historical Society, 13 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan, CT

The Revolutionary War was the first Civil War in this region, pitting brother against brother, and father against son. Paul began his own genealogy not expecting it would lead him to a soldier in the company of Benedict Arnold. He has since become a leading expert in the field of Loyalist studies and is the founder and editor of the Loyalist Quarterly, the only U.S. Loyalist newsletter devoted to that history.

This lecture is centered around the Loyalist ship, Union, and its passengers, many from Fairfield County who fled from New York City in 1783 for Saint John, Nova Scotia (New Brunswick) and their settlement at Kingston, New Brunswick. Paul will also discuss other families from the area and the type of documents you will find during research. His encounter with his Loyalist ancestors ghost in 1985 and the documents, photos and physic experiences that followed will shock you in what some
research can uncover.

Admission is free. However, please RSVP to Connecticut Ancestry Society with the number of attendees at (203) 778-4794 or via rlocke@ralii.com to ensure available seating. More information about Connecticut Ancestry Society can be found on our website.

19th-Century German Genealogy at Club in Newton, CT

2008-10-04T01:22:00.001-04:00

On Wednesday October 8, the Genealogy Club of Newtown will be holding it's October meeting. The meeting will be held at the Booth Library in Newtown at 7pm. All are welcome to attend. The speaker for this meeting is Dr. Richard Eppler.

Dr. Richard Eppler, Ph.D in Chemical Engineering and Physics, will speak about 19th century German genealogy and his success in tracing his ancestral line back to Wurtemburg in the early 1800's. Dr. Eppler first became interested in genealogy about thirty years ago. His topic will cover what you can learn here by using census records and vital records. His discussion will include relevant history of the German speaking peoples and how to access German records on the Internet. The program will conclude with how to read German church records written in German script. Time will be allowed for audience questions.

If you have any questions about membership in the Genealogy Club of Newtown, please let me know.

Jim Sanders
cteagle5@sbcglobal.net

Upcoming Course: Your Family Tree on the Internet

2008-09-18T00:47:00.003-04:00

A hands-on exploration of Internet resources. Discover how to grow your family tree with this modern tool. Exchange messages, with long "lost" relatives or connect with those researching your surname or locality. Learn how to access collections, databases, and locate government papers. Determine which sources are credible and how to keep track of your favorite web sites. We will spend all our time on genealogical related Internet sites each session. Students will use individual computers with time set aside each class to practice and explore favorite genealogical sites.
Instructor: Deborah Tajmajer

Begins: September 24 Wednesday 6:30-8:30 PM
Course #GC307
Address: Three Shaw's Cove, New London
Course Length: 6 weeks

You may sign-up on the New London Adult ED website or phone them. Ask for a catalog too as it will have directions, etc.

http://www.newlondonadulted.org/contact.htm Contact by phone: (860) 437-2385

http://catalog.newlondonadulted.org/viewProduct.cfm?item_id=687602

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If you have questions let me know!
Deborah Tajmajer,
Connecticut Ancestor Connections
AncestorConnect@aol.com
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"Thunder in the Valley"

2008-09-02T22:06:00.003-04:00

The Moodus Drum & Fife Corps will host it's Annual "Thunder in the Valley" annual Ancient Muster on Saturday the 18th of October 2008 with a fife and drum parade being held at 12 noon. The Muster will be held at the old Grange Hall on Town Street, East Haddam Ct. (intersection of Rt 151 and East Haddam-Colchester Turnpike). Each year twenty Fife and Drum Corps come to East Haddam to particiapte in this evnet! Groups come from New England, New York and New Jersey. There will be a picinic dinner availble with tickers for sale at event. The public is invited.

For mapping use this address: 499 Town Street, East Haddam Ct 06423. Camping is available.

The Moodus corps strives to maintain a tempo that is considerable slower than that used by most corps today and is representative of the values instilled by the cadre of Moodus drummers that have gone before. It is this magic sound that has brought the Moodus Drum and Fife Corps a long and honored history of playing before several U.S. presidents, numerous commemorative events, and musters from Maine to Michigan.

“Life in the Past Lane V”

2008-08-30T01:00:00.001-04:00

The Friends of the National Archives - Pittsfield proudly present their Fifth Full-Day Genealogy Conference “Life in the Past Lane V”
Saturday... September 20, 2008
Location:Williams Inn On the Green
Williamstown, Massachusetts

Program:
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Registration and browse the vendor booths; deposit tickets for our free raffle

9:00AM - 9:15AM
Jan Rogge, Friends’ President — Welcome and conference information

9:15AM - 10:15AM
Gregory Pomicter, NARA College Park, MD: "Electronic Scrapbooking." — The lecture will demonstrate one way to collect, organize, and preserve family history documents and pictures in an electronic format. It also discusses the advantages and challenges in disseminating and preserving electronic media.

10:45AM - 11:45PM
Horace Waters, NARA Waltham: "Finding Your Ancestors in Maritime Federal Records." — Using Customs, Coast Guard, Bureau of Marine Inspection, and Fish and Wildlife records, Horace examines what information on our ancestors is available and, using a case study based on his family research, how to find our ancestors. Examples include 19th and 20th century crew lists, fishing licenses, whalemen’s shipping papers and master mariners’ licenses.

11:45PM - 1:00PM
Luncheon — Vegetarian vegetable soup, rolls & butter with the choice of one entrée: Lemon & Herb Baked Chicken or Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce [each served with fresh seasonal vegetable] or Chef Salad with Italian Dressing (on the side); Hot Apple Crisp with Ice Cream Ball (Special needs can be met with advance notice)

1:00PM - 2:00PM
Linda Blaser, Conservator, National Park Service: "Preserving Your Family Papers." — Linda will give us specific information and techniques for preserving our family documents and photographs.

2:15PM - 3:15PM
Jean Nudd, NARA Pittsfield: "Navigating the Bureaucracy: Using Federal Websites." — This lecture presents five free Federal government websites and tells researchers what types of records and what specific information they can find in these databases. It also examines where additional resources can be found to support the information contained on these websites.

3:30PM - 4:20PM
Roundtable — Bring your questions and ask the experts or feel free to browse the vendor booths

Venture Smith Day: Connecticut Freedom Trail Event

2008-08-11T14:55:00.003-04:00

The 12th annual Venture Smith Day Festivities will be held at Venture’s gravesite in First Church Cemetery, 499 Town Street (RT. 151), East Haddam on Saturday, September 6th starting at 1 pm until approximately 4 pm as part of the Connecticut Freedom Trail events. The program will include the reading of a Proclamation, wreath placement ceremony, as well as the annual photo shoot of Venture’s family of descendants. East Haddam Municipal Historian, Karl P. Stofko, will be commenting on his recent research on Venture Smith, an African-American slave who purchased his freedom in 1765, as well as the situations concerning Marget Smith’s gravestone and the fate of Venture’s home site at Haddam Neck. The featured speaker will be Dr. Nancy Steenburg, professor of history at UCONN Avery Point Campus at Groton. She will talk about Venture’s life as a slave and freeman in Stonington.

Please bring a comfortable chair or blanket. In the event of inclement weather we will move into the church. There will be plenty of time to renew old friendships, talk with our speakers and Venture’s descendants and partake of light refreshments. All are invited.

A brief biography of Venture Smith: Born Broteer about 1729, the eldest son of King Saungm Furro of the tribe of Dukandarra in Guinea, West Africa, Venture was captured about 1736 in his seventh year and sold for “4 gallons of rum and some calico” at Anamabo on Africa’s Gold Coast to Robinson Mumford, the steward of a Rhode Island slave ship. He was renamed Venture, having been purchased by Mumford’s own private venture. He grew up as a slave on Fishers Island, New York, which was being leased by the Mumford family at that time. About 1750 he married Meg, another Mumford slave, by whom he had four children. After a failed escape attempt in 1754, Venture was sold to Thomas Stanton of Stonington Point, Connecticut. In 1760 he was purchased for the last time by Colonel Oliver Smith, also of Southington. Colonel Smith allowed Venture to purchase his freedom in 1765 and in return Venture took the name Smith as his surname.

Venture then lived and work on Long Island to raise the necessary money to purchase the freedom of his wife and children. During these years he labored at cutting wood, farming, fishing, and spent seven months on a whaling voyage. In 1774 Venture sold all his land on Long Island and in Stonington and moved his family to East Haddam. He then began purchasing land on Haddam Neck along the Salmon River Cove from Abel Bingham and others. By his industry his farm grew to 134 acres with three houses; twenty boats, canoes and sailing vessels; two fishing businesses and a commercial orchard. His entrepreneurial ventures included river trafficking, lumberjacking, carpentry and farming. All of this was accomplished without the ability to either read or write.

In 1798 Venture dictated his autobiography to teacher Elisha Niles, which was then published in pamphlet form by Charles Holt, editor of the New London Bee. It has been reprinted many times since then. It is the only slave narrative of the 18th century that recounts life in Africa. His life story has been an inspiration to many, both black and white, over the years. Venture died on September 19, 1805, a highly respected man by all in the Haddams. He was survived by his wife, two sons, Cuff and Solomon, and seven grandchildren. Several of his descendants still live in Connecticut.

Life in the Past Lane V at Pittsfield NARA

2008-07-18T21:52:00.002-04:00

The Friends of the National Archives – Pittsfield, MA, will present its annual Full-Day Genealogy Conference, Life in the Past Lane V, on Saturday, September 20, 2008, at the Williams Inn in Williamstown, MA.

The day will include lectures by Jean Nudd, Gregory Pomicter, Horace Waters, and Linda Blaser. The registration fee includes morning and afternoon refreshments, lunch, and a roundtable question and answer period hosted by a panel of experts. Several vendors will be on hand to provide products of interest to genealogists. Complete program details and a printable registration form can be found at www.narafriends-pittsfield.org/calendar.htm or by calling 413-236-3600.

Sincerely,
Janet M. Rogge, President
Friends of NARA
10 Conte Drive
Pittsfield, MA 01201
volunteers.pittsfield@nara.gov
www.narafriends-pittsfield.org

2008 Avery Memorial Association Reunion at Mashantucket Pequot Museum

2008-07-18T12:40:00.003-04:00

The Avery Memorial Association
will hold its annual meeting/reunion Saturday,July 19Th at Mashantucket Pequot Museum, 110 Pequot Trail,Mashantucket.

Registration starts at 10:00 A.M., with the meeting program between 10:30 A.M.- 12:30 P.M.

At 12:30 P.M., will be a buffet lunch and from 2:00- 4:00 P.M., the Pequot Museum Director will be giving the attendees a thirty minute Power Point presentation and talk/Q&A about the relationship with the Avery's and Pequot Tribe. Admission is separate from the reunion but attendees can get a reduced group rate of admission.

Activities are also planned for the Avery's the day before and after the reunion in the local area. Those at this late date should check on last minute reservation availability for Saturday luncheon with Mrs. Brustolon listed below or Mrs. Lantiere also listed below.

The Avery Memorial Association is a Groton,Connecticut; based organization that operates multiple historic sites. Membership consists of active Members descendants of descendants of Christopher Avery and a Friends category. Stephanie Lantiere is president and she can be reached at sglantiere@aol.com with general questions about the organization. Reunion reservations and membership queries should be made to Betty Brustolon, membership secretary, at 860-536-7236. Among notable Christopher Avery descendants are United States Vice Presidents Schuyler Colfax and Nelson Rockefeller. More info: www.averymemorialassociation.com

New Wing Opeing at the East Haddam Society Museum

2008-07-18T00:58:00.003-04:00

You are invited to attend THE GRAND OPENING of the
EAST HADDAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM, NEW WING
264 Town Street, East Haddam, Conn.

featuring THE HEINZ WARNEKE EXHIBIT
on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 11am

Free Admission All Day!
This wing was built to accept a priceless gift--weighing 3600 pounds and standing 17 feet high--from East Haddam resident Joseph Clark. Mr. Clark, about to retire as Technical Director of the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC, felt that the "tympanum" (plaster model of the South Portal of Washington's National Cathedral, consisting of The Last Supper and The Road to Emmaus) by sculptor Heinz Warneke should be given to the EHHS for residents and visitors to enjoy. The work was created here in the Wickham Road studio of sculptor Warneke, where it resided for fifty years. Joseph Clark purchased Warneke's property from Warneke's daughter, Priscilla Waters Norton, whose son, Jonathan Waters, is also a sculptor. All three will be present for the opening of the New Wing and Heinz Warneke Exhibit.

President Charles Farrow, Vice President Mary Ellen Klinck, Museum Director George Drenga, the trustees and I would be honored by your presence. The curator for "Heinz Warneke, 1895-1983: East Haddam's Modernist Sculptor" is Laura Macaluso of Milford; her graphic artist is Jonathan Hunt of Manchester. The exhibit is made possible by a matching grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council.

Light refreshments will be served.

Please join us for this landmark occasion!

For reservations, please email asortland@snet.net or call 860-873-2832
Thank you!

--Bob Cumming, Executive Director

To locate the EHHS Museum From Route 9:
Take exit 7 off of Route 9. Go left at the blinker and right at the first traffic light (Route 82). After passing Goodspeed Opera House remain on Route 82 toward Gillette Castle. At the "T" with Route 151, go right for about one mile and see the EHHS sign on the left.

Planting Your Family Tree Online

2008-07-09T23:30:00.004-04:00

Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc. and The Historical Collections Staff of the Bridgeport Public Library

Planting Your Family Tree Online
with Robert Locke
on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 10:30 AM
The Bridgeport Public Library
Burroughs-Saden Main Branch
925 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604

More genealogical records are being made available online every day. Distant cousins are connecting with each other, just an "e-mail" away. Join this "new age" by planting your own family tree online. Get that next generation excited about your family history.

Starting at 10:30 a.m., Robert Locke will demonstrate how dynamic,work-in-progress, publishing of your own tree on the Internet can bring connections from around the world knocking on your own "electronic door". It really is easier than you think.

Robert Locke has been teaching the practical use of technology for 27 years. He currently teaches for Red Hat, Inc., the world's most trusted provider of
Linux and open source technology, and is the webmaster for Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc. and the Locke Family Association, Inc.

While the workshop is free to the public, please RSVP with the number of attendees to the Historical Collections Department at (203) 576-7417 or via email at mwitkowski@bridgeportpubliclibrary.org

History of the Valley Railroad

2008-05-12T19:25:00.002-04:00

A Cooperative Meeting of the Historical Societies
from Chester, Deep River, and East Haddam.

--- Held at the Chester Historical Society ---
9 West Main Street, Chester
(just east of the Chester Library)

Max Miller, Railroad Historian from Haddam
will present a program on the history of the Valley Railroad,
which served East Haddam with a stop at the far side of the bridge.

Free Admission! Refreshments Will Be Served!

Sunday, May 18, 2008, 3pm

More info: info@chesterhistoricalsociety.org

“The Village Smithy Speaks”

2008-05-12T16:17:00.001-04:00

East Haddam Historical Society & Museum
264 Town Street, PO Box 27
East Haddam CT 06423-0027

“The Village Smithy Speaks”
Presented by Dick Everett

Wednesday, May 14, 7:30pm

--- At the EHHS Museum ---
Free Admission for Members / $5.00 for Non-Members
Refreshments will be served!

"The Settlement of the Oblong" of CT and NY

2008-05-12T15:19:00.002-04:00

Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc. Annual Meeting & Seminar

"The Settlement of the Oblong" How the boundary between New York and Connecticut was determined with Harlan Jessup at the Keeler Tavern Museum on Sunday, May 18, 2008 beginning at 2:00 PM

Everyone Invited & Welcome Free, but RSVP requested. Sponsored and refreshments provided by Ridgefield Historical Society & The Keeler Tavern Museum

Following a brief 15-minute annual business meeting, "Connecticut Ancestry" editor, Harlan Jessup, will uncover some of the mystery surrounding the settlement of the Oblong.

Who settled this narrow strip of "Equivalent Lands" which compensated New York for that part of Fairfield County which projects toward the Hudson River? North and South Salem were settled largely by Ridgefield
families, but further north there were only squatters who had no clear title to the lands. And not all the legitimate settlers came directly from Connecticut.

The Keeler Tavern Museum is located at 132 Main Street, Ridgefield, Connecticut. Please RSVP with the number of attendees to the Ridgefield Historical Society at (203) 438-5821 or ridgefieldhistory@sbcglobal.net

Visit us at http://www.connecticutancestry.org for more details.

Also, check out an Irish Genealogical Workshop being held at the Bridgeport (CT) Public Library on Saturday, May 17th beginning at 10:30am. Details at http://www.connecticutancestry.org
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CT Vital Records Access

2008-02-26T15:10:00.003-05:00

Date: March 4, 2008, TUESDAY, 10 a.m.
Host: Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council, Inc. Meeting
Speaker: Elizabeth Frugale, State Registrar of Vital Statistics and Member of Town Clerk Certification Committee
Topic: CT Vital Record Access
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut

From CPGC website: "You do not have to be a member to attend any part of the meetings. Come and join us for genealogical education, sharing and fun. All meetings begin promptly at 10:00 am and include a business meeting and our featured program. We strive to end our meetings by 12:30, and some members have lunch together at nearby restaurants or bring lunch with them to the State Library (there is a cafeteria across the street at the Connecticut Education Association building, and meals are also available at the Legislative Office Building, across Capitol Avenue). Other events are listed here for your convenience,http://www.rootsweb.com/~ctpgc/schedule.html but CPGC does not take any responsibility for errors or omissions."
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DirectionsEmanuel Lutheran Church is located on the corner of Capitol Avenue and Hungerford Street; directly across the street from the State Armory and Legislative Office Building. 860-525-0894. Some parking available at the church lot and on street. Directions are from the church's website:

From the West via Interstate 84:
As you approach downtown Hartford, take exit 48B (Capitol Avenue). Stay in the right-hand lane. At the end of the exit turn right at the stop light onto Capitol Avenue. Emanuel is on your left-hand side at the next traffic light. Turn left onto Hungerford Street and enter the church parking lot on your right.

From the East via Interstate 84:
Take Exit 48 (Asylum Avenue) and stay in the middle lane as you approach the traffic light. Take a right onto Asylum Avenue. At the next traffic light take a left onto Broad Street. Proceed to the traffic light and take a left onto Capitol Avenue. Emanuel will be on your right at the end of the first block. Turn right onto Hungerford Street and enter the church parking lot on your right.

From North and South via Interstate 91:
Take the "Capitol Area" exit off Interstate 91 (this will be the left lanes coming from the south). Follow exit to traffic circle (Pulaski Circle); follow half-way around and bear right onto Elm Street. At the stoplight, turn left onto Trinity Street (Capitol Building will be on your right). Bear right onto Capitol Avenue. Emanuel is two blocks up on your left. Turn left onto Hungerford Street and enter the church parking lot on your right.
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Averys Reunion and Averys in the Civil War

2008-02-26T00:46:00.001-05:00

Event Date: July 19, 2008

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lunch: Buffet at 12:30
Speaker: Avery Memorial Association Historian Vincent Pitts, Ph.D.
Topic: Averys in the Civil War

Sunday, July 20, 2008 there will be a church service at the First Church of Christ in Groton, CT. A brunch in the church hall will follow - small fee for the brunch. After the church service there will be a dedication at the Avery Monument commemorating the 114th Anniversary of the burning of the Hive. After the dedication there will be a cemetery workshop at the Avery-Morgan Burying Ground in Groton, CT. The Ebenezer Avery House will be open.

Cost for the annual meeting/reunion is $30 (please inquire about lunch costs when making your reservation). For those who would like to explore the Mashantucket Pequot Museum (optional) there is a separate fee of $13.

Deadline for reservations is June 15, 2008.
Contact Stephanie Lantiere at SGLantiere@aol.com or check out the website at: www.averymemorialassociation.com

Location of Event:
Mashantucket Pequot Museum, Mashantucket, CT

Free Irish Genealogy Seminar March 15

2008-02-26T00:31:00.001-05:00

Irish Americans looking for their roots will have an opportunity to learn how to trace their family trees back to Europe at a genealogy lecture scheduled to take place in Bridgeport on Saturday, March 15, 2008. The presentations by three noted researchers will take place at Housatonic Community College 900 Lafayette Blvd in Bridgeport starting at noon.

Prof. Jonathan Shea, a foreign language professor at HCC, will lead off the sessions speaking about American sources needed to find information about the family on this side of the ocean, some of which will take the researcher back to the family's place of origin in Ireland. Among the sources to be discussed are local birth, marriage and death records, probate files, church registers and similar documentation generated on a local level as well as information laden records of the federal government such as decennial census returns, WWI draft registrations and ships passenger lists from Ellis Island and other ports of entry. Shea, a New Britain native, traces his paternal roots to the counties of Offaly and Mayo in Ireland and has done on site research in the National Archives in Dublin, local county records offices and Catholic parish archives in his counties of origin. Stated Shea" My family not only emigrated to the US but to the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina and New Zealand so tracking down all the various branches of the family has taken me on a documentary journey to four continents"

Resources in Ireland will be discussed by Janet Pestey of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists. Major records sources such as the nineteenth century Griffiths Valuation Lists and the surviving Irish census returns will be covered as well as information on national vital records indexes many of which are available at the Family History Center in Woodbridge and the resources to be found at Irish National Archives. Also included will be Civil Registration records which began in 1864, church records, tithe records estate records. Local sources and computer sites will also be discussed. The speaker is a retired educator and a frequent lecturer on the topic.

The third in the trio of experts is Daniel Lynch of Trumbull. Lynch will concentrate on internet sources researchers can use from the comfort of their own home to hunt for ancestors. As more and more records are digitized and becoming available on home computers, this facet of genealogical research is among the fastest growing aspects of genealogy. a pastime of millions Americans. Lynch is a 22 year veteran of the computer industry and served as a consultant to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and was featured on ABC News Good Morning America as part of their genealogy series. The author of numerous genealogy articles, Lynch is a frequent lecturer on genealogy and technology.

The seminar is the result of a collaboration between Housatonic, The Connecticut Society of Genealogists, headquartered in East Hartford and the Connecticut Ancestry Society headquartered in Stamford.

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Location: Housatonic Community College
Directions: Bridgeport, exit 27 from I-95, plenty of free parking.

Your Family Tree – From the Start: Genealogy Basics with Research Techniques”

2008-02-15T20:19:00.003-05:00

Six sessions 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Starts, Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Location: New London Adult Education

Uncover your family's story and preserve your heritage for future generations! Learn how to network with researchers from a distance or locally, record your family history, keep it organized, find documents, and cite sources. Sessions include an explanation of library, government and private sources such as published materials, vital data, military records, and clues to immigration documents. And, as time permits, discussions on your research progress. A hands-on introduction to Internet research is included at the last class with time to work on your own in the computer lab!

A free textbook (worth $20) is available at first class if registered in advance. Please bring a 3-ring binder to class. Handouts: $5, payable at first class.

"Your Family Tree: From the Start… " is a complete how-to course for beginners as well as those who would like to learn about traditional on-site research techniques at repositories as well as an introduction to modern genealogical tools.

Register Here: New London Adult Education: 860-437-2385

Your Family Tree – From the Start

2008-02-10T02:15:00.000-05:00

Thursday: February 14, 21, & 28, 2008
6:15 PM - 7:45 PM
Rathbun Memorial Library
36 Main Street
East Haddam, CT
873-8210

Uncover your family's story and preserve your heritage for future generations! The Rathbun Memorial Library, East Haddam, will host a series of three weekly sessions facilitated by Deborah Tajmajer, Professional Genealogist, beginning Thursday, February 14, 6:15pm to 7:45pm. Learn how to record and organize your data, find documents and cite sources. Sessions include an explanation of library, government and private sources and discussion on your research progress. These sessions are for the beginning novice as well as those who would like to learn more about onsite research. Please bring a 3-ring binder; handouts will be distributed. Pre-register by call 873-8210.

Free Lineage - Family Tree Workshop

2008-01-18T17:17:00.000-05:00

Date: 2/7/2008
Location: Rathbun Memorial Free Library
36 Main Street
East Haddam, CT 06423

Hours: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Admission: Free: Pre-Registration is important as space is limited.
Contact: (860) 873-3330 (Leave Message) or NathanHaleDAR@aol.com
Sponsor: Nathan Hale Memorial Chapter DAR

Has a branch of you family been in the United States as far back as your family can remember? Not sure which ancestor is an American Revolutionary Patriot or even if you have one? Have you wondered about joining a lineage society such as the Daughters of the American Revolution or related organizations? Learn more about your American roots and your family's role in America History! All are welcome to attend a free lineage - family tree workshop to be held at the Rathbun Memorial Library in East Haddam on Thursday, February 7, 2008 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM sponsored by the Nathan Hale Memorial Chapter DAR. Local DAR Registrar, Deborah Tajmajer of East Haddam will be on-hand to guide you through your first experience with your family tree information as referred to as genealogy. A discussion about special DAR online resources and how they can jump-start your research will be included. As space is limited, please contact Deborah by email at NathanHaleDAR@aol.com or at 860-873-3330 to reserve your seat.

The Nathan Hale Memorial Chapter DAR was organized in June 1900 and meets monthly in various towns in the lower Connecticut River Valley region. In addition to special programs and field trips, meetings include service projects for veterans and the annual Good Citizen awards that are presented to local high schools seniors. Today, this women’s organization has about 168,000 members in 3000 chapters world-wide. Any woman 18 or older who can prove a lineal bloodline descent from a patriot of the American Revolution (circa 1775-1783) is eligible for membership. Tracing your lineage is valuable because it preserves your family’s heritage. The DAR is a volunteer organization that promotes patriotism, preservation of American history, and education.

"Other than military service, acceptable service includes: Signers of the Declaration of Independence, civil service, nurses, Oath of Allegiance, those who rendered material aid, such as furnishing supplies, lending money to the Colonies, gunsmiths, and more."

Saving Connecticut’s barns -- Free

2008-01-18T17:03:00.000-05:00

The South Windsor Historical Society will present a program on saving Connecticut’s barns Jan. 10. The program, which is free and open to the public will be held at Wood Memorial Library, 783 Main St., South Windsor, at 7 p.m.
Todd Levine, a representative of the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation, will talk about taking a “windshield survey” of local barns, a project involving taking a digital photo of a barn from a safe public place, recording basic information, and inputting it into the Connecticut Barn Website (www.connecticutbarns.org) for review. The data can then be retrieved by those interested in saving the history of important agricultural structures.
Mr. Levine notes, “Until recently historic barns in Connecticut have not been completely documented. Outbuildings and barns had rarely been included in the National Registry of Historic Places. In the last decade their historic significance was realized in evaluating an historic site. Barns are disappearing from the Connecticut landscape by slow decay or by being razed for new construction. With each barn lost we lose another piece of our rich agricultural history.”
“Every town in our historic state, including South Windsor, has barns and outbuildings that should be saved either by restoration or by a digital camera,” he adds.
Anna Fiori, historical society program chair, encourages South Windsor residents to participate in the project. She said, “If you have photos of South Windsor barns bring them to this meeting. We would enjoy seeing them and perhaps you will allow us to make copies for our archives.”
For more information about the historical society and its activities,
call 860-291-9958 or visit www.southwindsorhistory.tk

East Haddam Historical Society & Museum: Open House June 9, 2007

2007-06-07T17:05:00.000-04:00

The East Haddam Historical Society & Museum will be open from 10:30am-4pm on Saturday, June 9 without charge to visitors. This is in honor of Connecticut Open House Day sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism and includes the Ambassador Program ....

This is the third annual Connecticut Open House Day involving 200 other organizations and attractions throughout the state. The East Haddam Historical Society Museum features an exhibit and 35-minute film on William Gillette and Sherlock Holmes featuring Gillette protege Helen Hayes, created by Peter Loffredo of Connecticut Heritage Productions. Works of such famous local artists as Heinz Warneke and W. Langdon Kihn are a part of the museum's holdings, along with a photographic display of the mills of Moodus, Millington Green Post Office and General Store, Moodus Drum and Fife Corps memorabilia, miniatures of the Goodspeed Opera House and an 18th-century East Haddam dwelling and outbuildings, Indian artifacts dating to 1300 B.C. and an exhibit on the last of the New England whalers, Captain George Comer.

East Haddam is comprised of the areas known as Millington, Hadlyme, North Plains, Leesville, Johnsonville, Moodus, Little Haddam and East Haddam Landing. The EHHS, located on Route 82 (264 Town Street) will soon celebrate the opening of an important new wing presently awaiting a Certificate of Occupancy. Phone 860-873-3944; email ehhistsociety@snet.net.

Connecticut Open House Day: Sat. June 9, 2007

2007-06-07T16:41:00.000-04:00

Join the party! On June 9th, art galleries and studios, museums, theaters, historic properties, tourist attractions and lodging facilities across the state will be opening their doors to Connecticut residents. Enjoy free or discounted admission and d other special incentives.

You will find the Connecticut Open House participants are listed at http://ctvisit.com/open_house_properties.htm describing what each property is offering. Search engine found at the CT Heritage site: http://www.ctheritage.org/

For example:
Oliver Ellsworth Homestead
778 Palisado Ave.(Rte. 159)
Windsor, CT
Phone: (860) 688-8717
http://www.ctdar.org
Free admission

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Nathan Hale Homestead
2299 South St.
Coventry, CT
Phone: (860) 742-6917
http://www.ctlandmarks.org/hale.php
Free admission (reg. $7)
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Shaw Mansion
New London County Historical Society
11 Blinman St.
New London, CT
Phone: (860) 443-1209
http://www.newlondonhistory.org
Free Admission

Amasa Day House Memorial Day Family Fest and Open House

2007-05-25T20:04:00.000-04:00

Bring a picnic and join us after the East Haddam parade (Monday, May 28, 2007) for a day of family fun on the beautiful Amasa Day House grounds. 11-00-3:00.One of the house’s of the Antiquirian and Landmark Society.

Free admission to the grounds and free tours of the 1816 Federal – style house, home Civil War Veteran Eugene Chafee, Amasa Day's son-in- law. Donations are kindly requested.Civil War Re-enactors! Join the drill and more. Living history at its best!

12:45 performance of the East Haddam stage company’s “They call me Lizzie… from Slavery to the White House.” Best known as dressmaker and confidant to Mary Todd Lincoln.

Purchase refreshments, victorian toys and much more.

Directions:
From Rte 9; Exit 7, Moodus, to Rte 82 East. Pass Goodspeed Opera House to Rte. 149. Museum is north 4.2 miles at the junction of Rtes 149 and 151.
From Rte 2: Exit 16, Moodus, right onto Rte 149 South. Museum is south 8 miles at the intersection of Rtes 149 and 151.

Amasa Day House
Plains Road
On the Green
Moodus, Connecticut 06469
(860) 247-8996 ext. 12
amasa.day@ctlandmarks.org
www.ctlandmarks.org/amasa.php.

109th Reunion of the descendants of Cornelius Davis held in Stafford Springs, CT

2007-05-09T19:44:00.000-04:00

The 109th Reunion of the descendants of Cornelius Davis, 2nd will be held on Sunday, August 20, 2006*. The group will meet at noon at the American Legion Hall, 3 Monson Rd. (just north of the intersection of Rtes. 32 and 190), Stafford Springs, Connecticut. ... We'll also have awards for the youngest, the oldest, the family member having come the greatest distance, and the family with the most members present.

We would like to know who will be coming by August 1, 2006, so that we may plan accordingly. ... Distance and other reasons will prevent many members from attending. We would still like to hear from you with vital information, address changes, and addresses of family members who may not be on the mailing list or changes to be made to the Family Tree.

Expenses for the Reunion are financed by a "free will" collection taken during the meeting and by generous donations received by mail.

As always, The Family Tree and the Davis Family Genealogy will be on display. These represent the on-going efforts of family members who continue to update the records of the Davis family.

Come join us as we reunite in historic Stafford, CT, originally settled by Cornelius Davis, 2nd. Davis Family Reunions have been held annually on the 3rd Sunday in August, except for a few years during World War II, starting in the late 1890s.

Sincerely, Holly Ann Thisdale,Davis Reunion Secretary
If you'd like to attend, please contact by August 1st:
Mark K. Davis; 10510 Auburndale Rd. Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023-2344