The Genealogy Club of Newtown—

A Group For People

Who Like To Shake Family Trees

By Nancy K. Crevier

For some club members like Bea Morgan, it is a fascination with history and a love of antiques. For Harlan Jessup, it is the thrill of putting pieces of information together like a giant puzzle, and for Mary Maki, it is a desire to know her roots. The club is the Genealogy Club of Newtown, and it is entering into its fifth year of existence this September.

Genealogy is the study of family lineage, and the C.H. Booth Library genealogy room is a rich resource for delving into family history, particularly if your ancestors hearken back to the New England or Mid-Atlantic regions. For those whose family roots are planted in other parts of the world, the library subscribes to genealogical services that provide access to wide-reaching resources.

Thirty to 35 members gather in the genealogy room at the C.H. Booth Library every second Wednesday of the month, from September to June, at 7 pm, to share their interest in genealogy, learn new research techniques and hear noted speakers discuss various areas of genealogy research.

“Most are looking for personal family histories,” says Ms Maki. “There’s something special about connecting with the past.”

Mr Jessup, a professional genealogist, notes that, “Roots, the TV program, created a surge in interest [in genealogy]. It’s great fun to link these families together.” As a professional genealogist, Mr Jessup is hired by others, usually people who live outside of Connecticut, to track down their family history.

Sometimes club members stumble upon surprising finds. “One member,” Mr Jessup recalls, “discovered her husband’s grandfather was jailed for murder.” Another client of his was shocked to discover that her father had been married previously — and had never mentioned that, or the fact that an older, half-sister existed.

The club members provide each other with support, but for those needing further assistance, Mr Jessup is at the library most Monday afternoons between 2 and 5 pm, as well.

The upcoming year will feature speakers Tom Howard, “Bridge to Ancestors” in September, Bob Law, “German Ancestors” in October, and Erin Nikitchyuk and Penny Hartzell, “Courthouse and Land Records” in November. The December and June meetings feature member roundtable discussions, and are the two most popular meetings, according to Ms Morgan, the library club coordinator.

All meetings of the Genealogy Club of Newtown are open to the public. Mary Maki can be contacted at 426-3889 for information on joining the club, or for further information concerning the speakers.

 “We just enjoy each other’s company,” says Ms Maki.