I’ve been hearing variations on the same comment a lot lately. Many people have a working assumption that a genealogy website can tell them their ancestors. It’s an understandable desire if you’ve always wanted to learn more about one branch of your family. Unfortunately, it’s not true. That’s also not what the sites are setContinueContinue reading “No, the genealogy website cannot tell you your ancestors…”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Research and resources on Connecticut’s patriots of color
This list will be updated. Please check back for updates! “Cato Freedom,” 10 Million Names (https://10millionnames.org/stories/cato-freedom: accessed 2 February 2025). Jamie H. Eves, ““Faithfully to Serve”: Jesse & Job Leason, African American Soldiers in the Revolutionary War,” Windham Textile and History Museum (https://millmuseum.org/job-jesse-leason/: accessed 2 February 2025). Kaitlyn Oberndorfer, “Enslavement and Service: The Paradox ofContinueContinue reading “Research and resources on Connecticut’s patriots of color”
My ancestors are from Fairfield County, Connecticut. Do I have Mayflower ancestors?
This question comes up far more frequently then I would have expected – and the answer is, unfortunately, generally no. Why? In the 1600s, there were many more colonies in New England than states existing today. Much of Fairfield County fell under the political jurisdiction of New Haven Colony and the commercial realm of NewContinueContinue reading “My ancestors are from Fairfield County, Connecticut. Do I have Mayflower ancestors?”
Land records: an underused source in lineage research
Land records are often a “source of last resort” for genealogists. Rarely fully indexed, they require us locating and accessing a separate index book (called a grantor/grantee index); copying down the volumes and pages that apply to our ancestor; and then going into each volume to copy the appropriate pages. It’s time consuming and oftenContinueContinue reading “Land records: an underused source in lineage research”
What’s the Hulks Act – and why did it matter to my Revolutionary ancestor?
The British government didn’t only transport prisoners to Australia – they also sent prisoners to what was to become the United States in colonial period, particularly to Maryland and Virginia. The American Revolution closed off that option. In May 1776, the British government created another option: prisoners could be placed on ships. This act, commonlyContinueContinue reading “What’s the Hulks Act – and why did it matter to my Revolutionary ancestor?”
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