Genealogists To Discuss Newtown’s Records

By Jan Howard

Genealogist Harlan Jessup will discuss “Newtown Records: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue” during a genealogy workshop on October 27 at 10:30 am in the Cyrenius H. Booth Library in Newtown.

Mr Jessup will show some interesting records that are available in the Booth Library that would be of general interest, not just to people having ancestors in this area.

The program is sponsored jointly by Connecticut Ancestry Society and the newly formed Genealogy Club of Newtown. Refreshments will be served.

Mr Jessup has been involved in genealogy seriously for about ten years and has been doing it professionally for about six years.

Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for attendees to do research in the local collection with individual help by members of the Connecticut Ancestry Society.

The Connecticut Ancestry Society sponsors six workshops a year in area libraries and historical societies. It is the oldest genealogical society in Connecticut.

“It was founded as the Stamford Genealogical Society in 1954 and has since expanded to focus on families of southwestern Connecticut,” Mr Jessup said. Many of its members live outside of Connecticut but have ancestors who lived in the area.

In addition to the Connecticut Ancestry Society, Mr Jessup is a member of the newly formed Genealogy Club of Newtown, which meets on the second Wednesday of the month in the boardroom of the Booth Library. The club, which began with about 12 members, has grown to about 20. Anyone interested in joining the Genealogy Club of Newtown is invited to attend the next meeting on November 14 at 7:30 pm. Meetings last about an hour and a half.