Promote genealogical scholarship
Preserve source records
Exchange family histories
focused on southwestern Connecticut
Past meetings from 2024
"Making WikiTree Work for You" with Connie Davis
Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
The virtual program is one of many member benefits of the Connecticut Ancestry Society. Members will be sent a Zoom link in the week prior to the meeting.
WikiTree started growing 15 years ago, from the grassroots up. The community is now 1,051,986 members strong. Most genealogists and serious family historians have accounts. The shared tree has 36,145,574 profiles. 12,387,832 have DNA test connections.
Connie Davis earned a certificate in Family History and Genealogy from the University of Washington in 1999 and has been a professional genealogist since 2018, providing education and client services. Connie also works as a DNA coach and instructor for Your DNA Guide. Connie is a member of the Association for Professional Genealogists and supports the Linked Descendants group of Coming to the Table, a non-profit with a core of genealogical research dedicated to facing history and healing racial wounds created by slavery and its impact. Connie has been a WikiTree member since 2017 and works with WikiTree’s Ambassador and US Black Heritage Projects. Connie believes sharing the stories of our families can lead to a better future.
Past meetings from 2023
"Navigating Digitized NARA Content" with Alec Ferretti
Saturday, February 4, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
The Connecticut Ancestry Society is pleased to welcome back Alec Ferretti, a New York City-based professional genealogist, who works for the Wells Fargo Family & Business History Center, researching family histories for high-net-worth clients. He was graduated from NYU and LIU’s dual Master's program, with degrees in archives and library science.
"Let's Write a Sketch" with Nora Galvin, CG
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 12 Noon.
Networking at 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
How can you communicate your findings to relatives, young and old? How are you going to preserve all the work you've done researching your family? This month's presentation will help to address those questions, and lead you to a feeling of satisfaction, too.
The lecture is "Let's Write a Sketch." Nora Galvin, CG, will demonstrate a format for narrative genealogy that is appropriate both for family members and for publication.
"Reelin' 'Em in with Cousin Bait: 10 Ways to Connect with Family" with Cheri Hudson Passey
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
Cousin bait helps you connect with others who may have information about your family. Learn the best ways to share so others can find you. Professional Genealogist, Instructor, Writer, Speaker and owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC, Cheri Hudson Passey, is also the host of the YouTube genealogy chat show GenFriends. She is a genealogical researcher for US Army Past Conflict Repatriations. She currently serves as vice president, NGS Society & Organization Management.
The virtual program is one of many member benefits of the Connecticut Ancestry Society. Members will be sent a Zoom link in the week prior to the meeting. Non-members can participate for a fee of $10.
Non-members may REGISTER HERE:
New England Regional Genealogical Consortium
May 3 - 6, 2023
The Connecticut Ancestry Society invites you to join us in Springfield, Massachusetts for the 2023 New England Genealogical Regional Consortium conference. Look for programs from two of our board members, Nora Galvin and Janeen Bjork.
Learn more: https://nergc.org/2023-conference/
New England Regional Genealogical Consortium
May 6, 2023
The Connecticut Ancestry Society is proud to present back-to-back programs by our own Nora Galvin and by luncheon speaker Debra M. Dudek on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Prior to registering, you can download the conference brochure, which includes the full program of the conference, at https://nergc.org/brochure/
You can register and pay by credit card at https://nergc.org/registration
For more information, see https://nergc.org/ and NERGC E-zine 3:
"Making The Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne Your Research Assistant: Collections & Services of this National Family History Repository" with Curt B. Witcher
Sat. May 13, 2023 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Connecticut Ancestry Society Annual Meeting and Program
Networking at 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
Learn how you can make a national family history research center your personal research assistant. One can benefit from resources available at the Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana whether researching onsite or from afar. The Main Library of the ACPL is home to The Genealogy Center, which holds the largest Genealogy collection in the United States.
Curt Witcher is the Director of Special Collections at the Allen County Public Library, managing the widely acclaimed Genealogy Center as well as the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research and the institution’s Fine Books Collection. He is a former president of both the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society, and the founding president of the Indiana Genealogical Society.
Curt has penned many hundreds of articles on topics of interest to family historians, librarians and archivists, and has presented lectures to historical and genealogical groups across the country and beyond. He currently serves on the Indiana State Historical Records Advisory Board, the board of the Friends of the Indiana State Archives, the Indiana Historical Society’s publications committee, and the executive committee of the Friends of the Lincoln Collection of Indiana’s Board of Directors. Curt also serves on the Northeast Indiana Jewish Genealogy Society board of directors as well as an advisor for the African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne.
Curt is distinguished as a fellow of both the Indiana Genealogical Society and the Utah Genealogical Association. Over the decades he led collaborative national efforts to preserve and make more accessible historical data. For those efforts he has received the Federation of Genealogical Societies' Rabbi Malcolm H. Stern Humanitarian Award and the National Genealogical Society’s P. William Filby Award for outstanding, life-time contributions to genealogical librarianship. Curt’s passion for finding families’ stories and his belief in the power of those stories to change lives has been recognized by numerous organizations, most recently receiving the Indiana Historical Society’s 2019 Eli Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award for extraordinary contributions to the field of history. Curt has completed four decades of service at the Allen County Public Library.
The virtual program is one of many member benefits of the Connecticut Ancestry Society. Members will be sent a Zoom link in the week prior to the meeting. Non-members can participate for a fee of $10.
Non-members may REGISTER HERE:
"Making Sense of the Census" with Debbie Wilson Smyth
Saturday, June 10, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
The U.S. census schedules are valuable records for genealogists; each of the decennial surveys, from 1790 to 1950, contain unique information. This presentation offers tips for analysis of the data across the census years, including the tick marks of the pre-1850 census.
Debbie Wilson Smyth has been researching her family since 1993 and holds a Certificate in the Genealogical Research program from Boston University. As the owner of Oak Trails Genealogy Services, LLC, she provides professional genealogical services in research, education, consultation, and speaking. Her research focuses on midwestern and southern states, methodology, lineage society applications, and DNA. Debbie is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Genealogy Speakers Guild, as well as a number of national, state, and local societies.
The virtual program is one of many member benefits of the Connecticut Ancestry Society. Members will be sent a Zoom link in the week prior to the meeting. Non-members can participate for a fee of $5.
Non-members may REGISTER HERE:
"U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service for Genealogists" with Alec Ferretti
Saturday, September 16, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
The Connecticut Ancestry Society is pleased to welcome back Alec Ferretti, a New York City-based professional genealogist, who works for the Wells Fargo Family & Business History Center, researching family histories for high-net-worth clients. He was graduated from NYU and LIU’s dual Master's program, with degrees in archives and library science.
"Exploring Your Homeland with the Power of Maps" with Nora Galvin
Saturday, October 14, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
The virtual program is one of many member benefits of the Connecticut Ancestry Society. Members will be sent a Zoom link in the week prior to the meeting.
Nora Galvin, CG, is a professional genealogist with specialties in Genetic Genealogy and Irish research. A former high school Biology teacher and laboratory research scientist, she has been a Certified Genealogist® since 2014.
"Was Your Ancestor Involved in the Connecticut Witchcraft Trials?" with Sarah Jack and Josh Hutchinson
Saturday, November 11, 2023, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
The virtual program is one of many member benefits of the Connecticut Ancestry Society. Members will be sent a Zoom link in the week prior to the meeting.
Learn about Connecticut witch trial history and how to find out if you are related to any of the participants. This presentation will also include an overview of the Connecticut witch trial exoneration bill, and the effort to memorialize the victims.
Josh Hutchinson is a descendant of both witch trial accusers and accused. He is a lay historian, writer, and podcast creator. He has been studying witch trials for fifteen years and sharing witch-hunt facts online for ten. Josh is a co-founder of End Witch Hunts, the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project, The Massachusetts Witch Hunt Justice Project and Thou Shalt Not Suffer: The Witch Trial Podcast.
Sarah Jack is a descendant of Massachusetts and Connecticut accused witches. She is Co-founder of the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project, Massachusetts Witch Hunt Justice Project Co-creator and co-host of Thou Shalt Not Suffer: The Witch Trial Podcast, and President of End Witch Hunts Nonprofit Organization.
Past meetings from 2022
“Here Comes The 1950 U.S. Census! What To Expect.” with Joel Weintraub
Saturday, February 19, 2022, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
The U.S. 1950 census will become public on April 1, 2022. Joel will prepare us for its debut by covering what is a census, who uses the census, census caveats, how the 1950 census was taken, training of enumerators, enumerator instruction manuals, census sampling, 1950 population and housing forms, census questions, post enumeration codes, 1950 undercount, and a summary of the results. Joel will conclude with a discussion on his and Steve Morse’s 1950 census locational tools, online right now at the stevemorse.org website. Those 1950 utilities took almost 8 years to produce with the help of under 70 volunteers, involve 230,000 or so searchable 1950 census district definitions with about 79,000 more small community names added, and street indexes for over 2,400 1950 urban areas that correlate with 1950 census district numbers.
Joel Weintraub, a New Yorker by birth, is an emeritus Biology Professor at California State University, Fullerton. He became interested in genealogy over 20 years ago, and volunteered for 9 years at the National Archives in southern California. Joel helped produce location tools for the 1900 through 1950 federal censuses, and the NY State censuses for NYC (1905, 1915, 1925) for the Steve Morse “One-Step” website. He has published articles on the U.S. census and the 72-year rule, the name change belief and finding difficult passenger records at Ellis Island, and searching NYC census records with the problems of NYC geography. He has a YouTube channel that has his genealogy (and biology) talks at “JDW Talks”.
The program is a CAS member benefit. All those whose memberships are current will be sent the ZOOM link to the event via email. The society's membership year is June 1st to May 31st.
"A Whole New World of Catholic Records" with Margaret R. Fortier, CG
Saturday, March 5, 2022, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual meeting
Catholic records can be a game changer; every researcher should know about them. Learn about why Catholic records were created, what treasures they contain, how to interpret them, and how to locate them online and offline.
Margaret Rose Fortier, a Board-certified genealogical researcher, writer, and lecturer, is named after her grandmothers and is inspired by her mother’s phenomenal memory. She specializes in immigrant ancestors to New England and serves on the board of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
"Caveats for Colonial Researchers Looking for African Americans, Native Americans, and their Enslavers" with Teresa Vega
Saturday, April 2, 2022, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual meeting
The Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 will be discussed as migratory events that spread both enslaved, Free Blacks, and their enslavers across multiple states and countries. Changing borders and jurisdictions (e.g., local, county, and state) during this specific time and afterwards add a further complication. A variety of documents, local history books, and individual case studies will show how “digging deeper” can provide meaningful and insightful evidence of the lives of enslaved/formerly enslaved, Free Blacks, and enslavers during the colonial era. A handout with methodology, tips, and resources will be distributed.
Teresa Vega holds degrees in Anthropology and Asian Studies from Bowdoin College. She is a proud member of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (NY/NJ Chapters) as well as a member of the Greenwich Preservation Trust. She serves as a core panelist on BlackProGen Live, a podcast of professional genealogists, and is also the co-administrator of FamilyTree DNA's Malagasy Roots Project along with CeCe Moore of PBS's Finding Your Roots. Her genealogy blog can be found at www.radiantrootsboricuabranches.com. Most recently, she is the founder/owner of the new online genealogy-focused store, www.rrbb-Shop.com.
Telling Their Story: Adding Character to Your Genealogical Narrative, with Michael Lacopo, DVM
Saturday, May 7, 2022, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Networking at 12:30 p.m. The program follows a brief annual meeting at 1 p.m.
The lives of our ancestors were more interesting than just their births, marriages and deaths. In this talk Dr. Lacopo will explore how we can enhance the narrative and learn how common records can be used in a broader context.
Dr. Michael D. Lacopo, a retired small-animal veterinarian, was born and raised in northern Indiana surrounded by extended family members who were always willing to tell tall tales. Intrigued by his maternal family’s claim to be kinfolk of Abraham Lincoln, and his paternal family’s stories of murder and mayhem, he took to genealogical research in 1980 to substantiate these family stories. He takes a scientific approach to his research as he does to his profession. Dr. Lacopo has lectured internationally and written for numerous periodicals and journals.
"Researching Graphically – Expanding Your Research with Timelines, Charts, Spreadsheets and Diagrams" with Ari Wilkins
Saturday, June 4, 2022, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
Think about researching and organizing documents beyond genealogical software. We will talk about visualizing research problems – such as brainstorming and bubble diagrams. The presentation will include charting your thoughts; composing hypotheses; mind mapping; creating timelines, spreadsheets and diagrams.
Ari has been a Library Associate at Dallas Public Library since 2007. She specializes in African American research and has lectured on African American immigration.
"Prove It!" with Nora Galvin, CG
Saturday, September 17, 2022, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
It can be frustrating not to find direct evidence, and some people think they can’t go farther. Using the Genealogical Proof Standard, good evidence analysis, and clear written language, researchers can craft a proof argument that will carry them on to the next generation.
"Finding the Living" with Ron Arons
Saturday, October 15, 2022, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
The talk will cover, by example, the multitude of categories of websites that can be used to track down or simply discover living relatives. Beyond Google, websites discussed will fall into the following categories: professions, people directories, court and other government records, aggregation' websites, and, of course, social networking websites. Furthermore, Ron will show that, by using these websites together, their synergies can provide even more fantastic search results.
Over the past 20 years, Ron has researched his roots to England, Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Romania. Along the way he uncovered a deeply-buried secret about one of his ancestors that ultimately prompted him to author three books. Ron has given more than 500 presentations on researching criminal ancestors, methodology, and technology. Ron earned degrees from Princeton and the University of Chicago.
"Getting Started with Connecticut Genealogy" with Bryna O'Sullivan
Saturday, November 19, 2022, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
Using a Connecticut ancestor as a sample case study, this program introduces the most commonly used sources for Connecticut research: vital records, church records, gravestones, land records, and probate files. It will delve deeply into the process of locating and using these sources, including the best ways to access them online, what sources may or may not be digitized, and why they may or may not work for the ancestor in question. Attendees will leave with a strong understanding of the foundations of Connecticut research.
Past meetings from 2021
"Cruising Long Island Sound" with Fred Hart Jr.
Saturday, February 6, 2021, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
THE PROGRAM
This is a narrated introduction to the Long Island Sound region’s impact on the genealogy of families throughout its surrounding land areas. This regional aspect has had a major impact on family history ever since the earliest colonial times. The talk is illustrated with multiple examples of actual individual and group migrations from state-to-state and from town-to-town throughout the region. Any researcher of families in any of the shoreline towns, regardless of county or state, will want to consider this regional aspect and incorporate it into their research plans.
THE SPEAKER
Fred Hart is a native of Norwalk, Connecticut, and a graduate of Dartmouth College (AB, 1958) and the Thayer School of Engineering (MSEE, 1960). His engineering career was with the Connecticut Light and Power Company and its successor Northeast Utilities (now part of Eversource Energy), where he held a progression of engineering, supervision and management positions until his retirement in 1995. He has held the Certified Genealogist credential since 1993 and was elected a fellow of the American Society of Genealogists in 2007. He has held the position of genealogist with Connecticut Ancestry Society for many years, and is a member of the Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council, the New England Historic Genealogical Society and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society where he serves on the Editorial Board of its journal, and where he was elected a Fellow of that Society in October 2015.
"Mining DNA Results" with Janeen Bjork
Saturday, March 6, 2021, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Using case studies of two adoptees who were looking for their biological families, Genealogy teacher Janeen Bjork will demonstrate some of the tools and strategies that are available for making the most of DNA results, particularly the tools for Family Tree DNA, ancestryDNA, MyHeritage and 23andMe.
New England Regional Genealogical Consortium
April 1 - May 31, 2021
There will be no Connecticut Ancestry Society meeting in April, 2021, as we will be attending, and are encouraging all our members to participate in, the all-virtual New England Genealogical Regional Consortium conference. Look for a combination of live and on-demand events, including three programs from our own Nora Galvin.
Learn more: https://nergc.org/2021-conference-2/
Download the conference brochure from below:
CAS Annual meeting + monthly program, "Member Show & Tell"
Saturday, May 15, 2021, 10:30 a.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Annual Meeting
Please join us for Connecticut Ancestry Society’s Annual Meeting. The short business portion of the meeting will include committee reports and election of officers. We will also be interested in hearing ideas from members about future projects and programs you would enjoy. Any member interested in joining the Board of Governors should contact us at info@connecticutancestry.org. We need additional volunteer support to continue the mission of the Society.
Our program will be a "Show & Tell." Since the NERGC Conference will still be under way, we thought a non-lecture program would be a nice change. Please find an interesting artifact or story you can share with the group. Your time will be limited to approximately 5 minutes. Email us at info@connecticutancestry.org to let us know you are participating so we can have an orderly session.
"Reasonably Exhaustive Research: Do You Know All the Online Resources for Connecticut?" with Nora Galvin, CG
Saturday, June 5, 2021, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
The Genealogical Proof Standard’s first step is to perform reasonably exhaustive research. How can we do that if we don’t know all the resources available to us? This lecture will help you zero in on Connecticut resources online at sites like FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, AmericanAncestors.org and the State Library website. Make sure you are taking advantage of these accessible databases.
The program is a CAS member benefit. All those whose memberships are current will be sent the ZOOM link to the event. The society's membership year is June 1st to May 31st.
"Finding and Using Connecticut Vital Records" with Jennifer Zinck, CG
Saturday, September 18, 2021, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
From early town books to post-1897 certificates, Connecticut has a rich collection of vital records. Maximize your ability to find and use the records that serve as the foundation for Connecticut genealogical research as we take a deep dive into various forms of vital records, the information they contain, and the laws governing their creation and use.
Jennifer Zinck is a Certified Genealogist® who is currently serving her third term as the President of the Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council. She is an instructor in the Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate Program. Jennifer enjoys sharing her passion for family history with all ages, from school children to seniors.
"Finding the Living" with Alec Ferretti
Saturday, October 9, 2021, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
This presentation will discuss the types of sources that are available for finding people who lived in the late 20th and early 21st century, whether you know them or not, and where they can be found.
Alec Ferretti earned dual master's degrees in 2020, one in Archives & Public History from New York University, and one in Library & Information Science from Long Island University. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Reclaim the Records. Alec is also the President of the New York Genealogy & Technology Group.
The program is a CAS member benefit. All those whose memberships are current will be sent the ZOOM link to the event via email. The society's membership year is June 1st to May 31st.
"Using Crowdsourcing for Genealogy" with Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz
Saturday, November 13, 2021, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Networking at 10 a.m.
Virtual Meeting
Learn how best to leverage social media, like Rootsweb/Ancestry message boards, Facebook groups, and other internet forums, to help you with your research. Learn the best practices for finding and interacting with likeminded genealogists and researchers, as well as how to spot misinformation.
Researcher, lecturer, and author, Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz has been doing genealogy research for over 20 years, with an emphasis on research in Poland, Germany, the U.S., and Canada. She is an administrator of several Facebook groups. Her blog is From Shepherds and Shoemakers
https://fromshepherdsandshoemakers.wordpress.com/
The program is a CAS member benefit. All those whose memberships are current will be sent the ZOOM link to the event via email. The society's membership year is June 1st to May 31st.
Past meetings from 2020
Genealogy Story Slam: "American Idol" meets "Finding Your Roots"
CAS Annual meeting + monthly program, "Reclaim The Records and You" presentation
"Insiders Guide to Genealogical Cousin Bait" with Marian Wood
"You Should Write a Book!" with Shelley Lowell and Janeen Bjork
“Genealogy and Technology: Problems, Pitfalls, and Lots of Promise” with Rob Locke
“Think Like a Reporter to Avoid Genealogy Mistakes” with Jennifer Mendelsohn
Saturday, November 21, 2020,10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Networking at 10 a.m.
Think Like a Reporter to Avoid Genealogy Mistakes; More than two decades of journalism experience has helped Jennifer as a genealogist, both to zero in on reliable information and not to be duped by unreliable information. She’ll talk about using the “Law and Order” method (follow the “dun duns!”) to track down information and how relying on simple principles like Occam’s Razor – that the most likely scenario is the least complicated – and logic grids can help you get further. We’ll go over pitfalls like not blindly using Ancestry hints, assessing the credibility of sources, not being wedded to spelling, (hello, wildcard searches!) and why genealogy is like playing Concentration: you always have to remember the cards you’ve seen and turned over.
Jennifer Mendelsohn is a seasoned journalist and ghostwriter whose work has appeared in numerous local and national publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, People, Slate, and USA Today.
A native Long Islander now based in Baltimore, Mendelsohn serves on the board of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Maryland and is the administrator of Facebook’s Jewish genetic genealogy group. A member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, she is the creator of the movement known as #resistancegenealogy, a project that uses genealogical and historical records to fight disinformation and honor America’s immigrant past. Her work has received international media attention, including being featured on CNN.com, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post.
Past meetings from 2019
DNA for Genealogy Roundtable
Saturday, February 2, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - noon
The event will be co-sponsored by the Friends of the Cos Cob Library. The program is free and all are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Snow date, February 9th, 2019.
Cos Cob Library
5 Sinawoy Rd
Cos Cob, CT 06807
Computers and Technology: Problems, Pitfalls, and lots of Promise" with Rob Locke
Saturday, March 2, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - noon
While Rob will kick off with several slides and demonstrations, this is intended to be a more interactive session with attendees encouraged to ask lots of questions.
Danbury Public Library
170 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810
2019 Conference | NERGC
April 3rd-6th, 2019
There will be no Connecticut Ancestry Society meeting in April, 2019, as we will be attending, and are encouraging all our members to attend, the New England Genealogical Regional Consortium conference.
Learn more: https://www.nergc.org/2019-conference/
Radisson Hotel
Manchester, New Hampshire
WWI Show & Tell
Sunday, May 5, 2019, 1 - 4 p.m.
Our Show & Tell presentations included:
- Christine Pittsley from the Connecticut State Archives discussed resources that may be of interest to folks researching WWI ancestors. She also talked about the independent research she has done regarding Connecticut soldiers in the Great War, and the trip she will be making this sumer with Connecticut students to restore American trenches in Seicheprey, France.
- A grandson spoke about the memorabilia he has from his grandfather's service in France. That included his uniform, his diary, and his Croix de Guerre and Distinguished Service Cross medals, as well as various citations.
- The granddaughter of a Fairfield librarian spoke about her grandmother who went to Paris during the War with the AEF as part of the YMCA Canten Unit out of NYC.
- A rifle collector displayed his 1917 Enfield, the standard-issue American Army rifle that was manufactured in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The governor of Connecticut was quoted in 1917 as saying that 55% of American munitions were produced in the Nutmeg state.
- A daughter shared the wartime correspondence between her parents that she transcribed, and published and made available to the library of their local historical society.
- The descendants of two brothers who were separated by the war, were reunited by DNA testing in 2019.
Fairfield Museum & History Center
370 Beach Rd
Fairfield, CT
Wills and Probate
Saturday, June 1, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - noon
If you are traveling from the north of Exit 9 on I-95, you are strongly advised to find an alternate route.
A joint presentation of the Connecticut Ancestry Society and the Friends of the Cos Cob Library.
Cos Cob Library
5 Sinawoy Rd
Cos Cob, CT 06807
“Genealogy and Technology: Problems, Pitfalls, and Lots of Promise”
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - noon
A joint presentation of the Connecticut Ancestry Society and the Friends of the Cos Cob Library. The interactive session will begin with several slides and demonstrations by Rob Locke, and continue with audience participation. Attendees are encouraged to bring any technology and genealogy questions they would like to have answered.
MORE INFO:
Cos Cob Library
5 Sinawoy Road
Cos Cob, CT 06807
“Let’s Write a Sketch (About Anybody You Like)”
Saturday, October 26, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Writing Workshop co-sponsored by the Connecticut Ancestry Society and the Danbury Public Library
Join Certified Genealogist Nora Galvin for instruction and support as you write a Genealogical Sketch. Bring samples of your work and whatever you write with (a tablet, a laptop, or pencil and paper) with you. The program is free and all are welcome.
Danbury Public Library
170 Main Street
Danbury, CT
"More Than a Will: Understanding Probate Records"
Saturday, November 23, 2019, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Connecticut Ancestry Society and the Trumbull Historical Society are partnering to present noted Connecticut Genealogy speaker, Edwin W. Strickland II and his program, "MORE THAN A WILL: UNDERSTANDING PROBATE RECORDS," on Saturday, November 23, 2019, from 10:30 a.m. – noon. The program will begin with a discussion of the records that you find for probate, both the Docket Books and the files. Mr. Strickland will then review the probate process and the records that may be generated, including accounts, wills, and the appointment of administrators. He will also cover some of the matters that may be handled by the probate court, including: Guardianship; Mental Competency; Adoptions and Minors’ Trusts; Separation and Divorce, and Insolvent Estates. Many of these records can be found through the card catalog at Ancestry.com and the records at FamilySearch.org. Mr. Strickland has been doing genealogy both as an amateur and professionally for 40 years. He teaches and lectures throughout New England. His extensive professional associations include:
- Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council, Inc. - Charter Member (1993). Consultant for Genealogy Road Shows
- Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Inc. (1975) Life member, Past President and Board of Governors
- Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor, Inc. - Charter (1983) Life member, Past President and Genealogist over 35 years
- Foote Family Association of America, Inc. - Editor of Foote Family Genealogy and History, Volume III
- National Society of the Descendants of Textile Workers of America, Inc. - Charter Member (2014)
- New England Historic Genealogical Society, Inc.
- Sheldon Family Association, Inc. - Life Member
The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome. No reservations are necessary.
Trumbull Historical Society
1856 Huntington Turnpike
Trumbull, CT 06611
Past meetings from 2018
DNA Roundtable
Saturday, February 10th, 2018, 10:30 a.m. - noon
Join Certified Genealogist and former biology teacher, Nora Galvin, as she leads a roundtable discussion about DNA Testing for Genealogy Research. Bring your questions and your relatives who are reluctant to test! The program is co-sponsored by the Connecticut Ancestry Society and the Stamford Historical Society. It's free and all are welcome.
Note: The Connecticut Ancestry Society does not meet in December or January.
Stamford History Center
1508 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06903
Autosomal DNA Workshop
Saturday March 3, 2018, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Led by Nora Galvin, CG.
The workshop is free and open to the public.
Genetic Genealogists of all levels are welcome.
Snow date: March 10, 2018
Danbury Public Library
170 Main Street
Danbury, CT
Google Earth for Genealogy
Saturday, April 14th, 2018, 10:30 a.m. - noon
Learn how to use Google Earth, Google Maps, websites with antique maps, and your own uploaded maps to find where your ancestors lived, and to travel with them as they immigrate and migrate. Bring your own electronic device and travel along.
Trumbull Public Library
33 Quality Street
Trumbull, CT 06611
Genealogy Publishing Made Simple: Sharing Your Stories [or Research] in as Few as Four Pages
Saturday May 5, 2018, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join the Connecticut Ancestry Society for our annual meeting and a presentation to help genealogists and non-genealogists understand what it takes to publish one's research or stories.
Join us for a presentation on the steps required and the options available for publishing your work. Painter, graphic artist, illustrator and book designer Shelley Lowell has experience with the creation of books that range from four pages (a story about how a gun saved a family) to 700+ pages (an annotated Bible). The photo of Shelley was taken in late 2017 when the author of the book "Home Front" presented her with a first printing of the front cover she illustrated for his book about his experience of being raised by his mother while his father was away fighting in WWII and the awkwardness of his father's return to the family.
Fairfield Museum and History Center
370 Beach Road
Fairfield CT 06824
“Let’s Write a Sketch (About Anybody You Like)”
Saturday, June 9, 2018, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Writing Workshop co-sponsored by the Connecticut Ancestry Society and the Stamford Historical Society.
Certified Genealogist Nora Galvin offered instruction and support to workshop participants as they crafted Genealogical sketches.
Stamford History Center
1508 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06903
Discover FamilySearch.org
Saturday, July 7, 2018 10:30 a.m. - noon
Connecticut genealogical researcher, teacher, and French-to-English translator Bryna O’Sullivan demonstrated some of the many ways FamilySearch.org can be used for Genealogy.
Danbury Public Library
170 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810
DNA Genealogy Roundtable Discussion
Saturday, August 4, 2018 10:30 a.m. - noon
Trumbull Historical Society
1856 Huntington Turnpike
Trumbull, CT 06611
"Land Records: More Than Metes the Eye"
Saturday, September 22, 2018 10:30 a.m. - noon
Genealogist Edwin W. Strickland II offered eight case studies that demonstrated how to get proofs, connections and relationships from land records.
Cos Cob Library
5 Sinawoy Rd
Cos Cob, CT 06807
Genealogy Roundtable Discussion
Saturday, October 20, 2018 10:30 a.m. - noon
Danbury Public Library
170 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810
DNA Technology Workshop
Saturday, November 3, 2018, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Certified Genealogist and former Biology teacher Nora Galvin demonstrated DNA websites ancestry.com, FamilyTreeDNA.com and GEDmatch.com.
Trumbull Historical Society
1856 Huntington Turnpike
Trumbull, CT 06611
Past meetings from 2017
February 4 in Stamford
DNA Genealogy Roundtable
March 4 in Danbury
Nora Galvin’s Writing Workshop
April 8 in Trumbull
Bruce Frail, “NARA and Civil War Ancestors"
April 26 – 29 in Springfield, Mass.
New England Regional Genealogical Conference
May 21 at the Fairfield Museum and History Center
Annual Meeting: Tour of the Museum and the Collier Collection
June 3 in Stamford
Rob Locke’s Genealogy 101 Workshop
July 15 in Danbury
Nora Galvin, “US Census: Your #1 Building Block for Genealogical Research”
August 12 in Trumbull
DNA Roundtable
September 16 in Stamford
Marian Wood, "Free or Fee Genealogy: Finding Free Records, Deciding When to Pay"
October 7 in Newtown
Nora Galvin, DNA Roundtable
November 11 in Trumbull
Shannon Green, Writing Workshop
Past meetings from 2016
February 4 in Stamford
DNA Genealogy Roundtable
March 4 in Danbury
Nora Galvin’s Writing Workshop
April 8 in Trumbull
Bruce Frail, “NARA and Civil War Ancestors"
April 26 – 29 in Springfield, Mass.
New England Regional Genealogical Conference
May 21 at the Fairfield Museum and History Center
Annual Meeting: Tour of the Museum and the Collier Collection
June 3 in Stamford
Rob Locke’s Genealogy 101 Workshop
July 15 in Danbury
Nora Galvin, “US Census: Your #1 Building Block for Genealogical Research”
August 12 in Trumbull
DNA Roundtable
September 16 in Stamford
Marian Wood, "Free or Fee Genealogy: Finding Free Records, Deciding When to Pay"
October 7 in Newtown
Nora Galvin, DNA Roundtable
November 11 in Trumbull
Shannon Green, Writing Workshop
