My lineage society says I need vital records from NY. Do I need a court order?

I’ve heard this come up as a point of confusion often recently… New York State has restrictions on the access to vital records. (NY City has its own records system.) A lineage society requires that vital records be provided for the applicant, their parents, and their grandparents. The parents are deceased. The applicant is toldContinueContinue reading “My lineage society says I need vital records from NY. Do I need a court order?”

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”

Why does my ancestor’s residence matter?

Most Revolutionary War companies were recruited locally. Although a regiment may have contained companies from multiple towns or counties, a company was generally organized from residents of one locale. This makes knowing your ancestor’s residence key… Why? If your ancestor didn’t reside in the county or town from which the company was recruited, it’s unlikelyContinueContinue reading “Why does my ancestor’s residence matter?”

Militia or Continental Line?

Land was the biggest driver behind your (non-officer) ancestor’s decision to serve in the militia versus on the Continental Line. In the colonies, land ownership was heavily tied to agriculture. Farming requires oversight, especially New England’s smaller farms. A farm owner would have wanted to onsite as much as possible. Militia service demanded – atContinueContinue reading “Militia or Continental Line?”

Danbury, the American Revolution, and missing Connecticut records…

If you go to review the Danbury, Connecticut records on FamilySearch , you’ll note that many of the records seem to begin in the late 18th century even though the town was settled by Europeans in 1685. There is records loss in records typically held by the town clerk. Why? According to the town clerk’sContinueContinue reading “Danbury, the American Revolution, and missing Connecticut records…”