About

ABOUT US

Our Society was founded in 1954 as the Stamford Genealogical Society and is the oldest genealogical society in Connecticut. The organization's name was officially changed to Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc., in 1989. The Society's membership now extends throughout North America with only about half living in Connecticut. The Board of Governors consists of an elected president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer together with officers appointed by the board, including the editor, genealogist, and librarian.


In support of the Society's mission we sponsor workshops and lectures throughout the year. The Society's scholarly journal, Connecticut Ancestry, is published quarterly in August, November, February and May. All the work of the Society is done by volunteers with both professional and amateur genealogists actively participating.

Our Mission

Connecticut Ancestry Society is a not-for-profit genealogical society organized for the mutual benefit and education of its members and the general public and registered with the Secretary of the State of Connecticut. As such, its members in good standing are entitled to certain statutory privileges with regard to access to Connecticut vital records, in addition to the freedom of information privileges that apply to the public in general.

Connecticut Ancestry Society's mission includes the following objectives:
  • To treat all public records and their custodians with appreciation and respect; and, to take appropriate action to discipline or terminate the membership of any individual members who fail to observe this objective.
  • To provide a variety of opportunities for its members to exchange genealogical information on an ethical and collegial basis, recognizing the need for sensitivity and confidentiality in personal matters particularly regarding the privacy of living individuals, and emphasizing the need for responsible research and diligent attention to the standards that may apply. The opportunities may include but are not limited to:
    • Regular and/or special publications that include genealogical compilations, original records, and instructional materials
    • Educational programs including lectures, workshops and seminars
    • Association and active participation with other like-minded societies on a local or regional basis, for example by participation in the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium (NERGC)
    • Maintaining a public presence for the benefit of other genealogists by providing contact information, including on the Internet
  • To promote, maintain and encourage an ongoing specific and unique interest in the genealogy of the families of southwestern Connecticut, including in particular the 23 municipalities of Fairfield County and their regional surroundings. Opportunities may include activities throughout this geographical area such as:
    • Providing a point of contact for public libraries and historical societies on genealogical matters, including joint sponsorship of meetings and other activities
    • Providing a point of contact for town clerks and other municipal officials on genealogical matters
    • Providing a point of contact for the general public on genealogical matters

About the Journal

Initially published as the Bulletin in 1958, the Society's periodical has been titled Connecticut Ancestry since 1971 and now averages 40 pages per quarterly issue. The journal's contents include well-researched and documented articles on families with roots in southwestern Connecticut, transcriptions of previously unpublished source material, and articles on genealogical technique. Members are encouraged to submit the results of their own research projects for publication.


Also published are queries, book reviews, and a calendar of genealogical events sponsored by our Society and by others. Since 1985, an every-name index is included in the last issue of each annual volume. Combined indexes for the earlier volumes are available from our list of publications along with back issues, as available.


Submission Guidelines

This is your journal on Connecticut families and Connecticut research. Sharing your knowledge of sources, your genealogical techniques, and the results of your research is what keeps the publication going. Reports on work in progress are encouraged - reader response to such an article may advance your research. Whatever you send is appreciated. We will acknowledge all contributions.


Preferred submission is now as an email attachment using any standard word-processing application to editor <at> connecticutancestry.org . As near as possible, please format as follows:

 

  • 1 inch margins all sides of 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.
  • Titles bold and centered in at least 12pt. or 14pt. type followed by author's name and contact information (address and/or email), also centered. Section titles bold on left margin.
  • Use a serif font such as Times, Times New Roman, or Garamond, usually 12pt. or 11pt.
  • For most text, justification to both left and right margins looks best.
  • For family genealogies we prefer either Register or Modified Register format.
  • Sources should be referenced with numbered footnotes (not endnotes).

 

Board of Governors

Office Name Email
President Robert A. Locke, Jr. president <at> connecticutancestry.org
Vice President Mary Elizabeth Marvin vicepresident <at> connecticutancestry.org
Secretary Barbara Dempsey secretary <at> connecticutancestry.org
Treasurer Susan C. Murphy treasurer <at> connecticutancestry.org
Genealogist Frederick C. Hart, Jr., FASG, FGBS genealogist <at> connecticutancestry.org
Editor Nora Galvin, CG editor <at> connecticutancestry.org
Librarian Sven-Eric Selander svenericsr <at> gmail.com
Programs/Publicity Janeen Bjork info <at> connecticutancestry.org
Membership Robert A. Locke, Jr. membership <at> connecticutancestry.org
NERGC Delegate Judy Goss auntjudyg <at> yahoo.com
Board Member Emeritus Harlan Jessup hjessup <at> comcast.net
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