'Turnback Tuesday' features Derby Public Library reference room

DERBY - Turnback Tuesday reminds us of the wealth of information and research materials available at Derby Public Library.

Published in 1935, "The Pictorial and History of the Lower Naugatuck Valley," written by Leo T. Malloy, is a treasure trove of information.

And it does not end there.

Our History Reference Room has many books on its shelves for you to peruse including those on genealogy, the history of neighboring towns, and about the Valley in general.

The room has a large table for patron use as well as a microfilm machine to view local newspaper archives.

Thanks go to Derby Public Library for making available its extensive amount of historical information about the Valley and surrounding communities.

Oxford Historical Society to document lives of American Revolution veterans

OXFORD - The Oxford Historical Society will launch its America/250 Project at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Twitchell-Rowland Homestead, 60 Towner Lane. Towner Lane is located off Route 67 across from St. Thomas Church.

The society plans to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by documenting the lives and records of Oxford’s veterans of the American Revolution for preservation in multiple formats. 

Volunteers of all ages are welcome as the group researches period records and locates veterans’ headstones in local cemeteries both in person and online. 

Genealogy researchers. photographers, readers and writers, video/sound recorders and tombstone cleaners are all needed to record the information found for future generations.

America/250 may be useful for fulfilling community service, Eagle or Gold Scout, or Capstone project requirements. 

History buffs are especially welcome. Membership in the Oxford Historical Society is not required.
Interested persons may call Dorothy DeBisschop at 203 910-4574 or simply come to the meeting. 

This is shared from the Oxford Historical Society Facebook page.

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton to host genealogy program Saturday

Genealogy Program: Researching our Roots - Digging Deeper

Location: Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton
Date: Jan. 18, 1:30 p.m.

Register online https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsRegister.cfm?SiteID=2661&BranchID=826&Branch=Plumb%20Memorial%20Library&EventID=541165&PK=
or call 203-924-1580.

Genealogical research is both rewarding and challenging. Have you hit a roadblock in your ancestral research? 

Are you not sure how to find more generations of your family? Join instructor Sarah Miller as she shares tips and tools to help you dig deeper into your family’s past. 

Sarah will present a case study of how she solved a difficult family mystery, and will introduce international research. She will also discuss strategies to feel confident in sourcing your research. 

Please bring any family documents and information you have, as well as a tablet or laptop, for guided research time.

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Research your roots at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

The Library is at 65 Wooster St., Shelton.

Sharing from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton to host program on starting ancestral research

SHELTON - Are you interested in building your family tree? 

Join instructor Sarah Miller at 11 a.m. Oct. 12 at Plumb Memorial Library as she presents strategies to begin your ancestral research using a variety of online sources. 

We’ll focus on American records available and how to locate them. The presentation is followed by guided research time with access to paid genealogical subscriptions. Please bring family documents and information, as well as a tablet or laptop. This class is designed for those just beginning their ancestral research.

Sarah Miller has been researching her family history for over 20 years. She combines her experience as an elementary school teacher with her passion for genealogy to give new researchers the tools to build their own family trees. 

Sarah works as a Literacy Tutor for the Seymour Public Schools. She lives in Oxford with her husband and daughter and their 6 cats. 

Register online https://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=2661&EventID=538729&PK=
or call 203-924-1580.

This is shared from the Shelton Library System Facebook page.

Derby Neck Library to host writers' workshop Tuesday

Derby Neck Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave., Derby.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Neck Library to host presentations on genealogy

DERBY - Derby Neck Library will host a presentation at 6:30 p.m. March 5 to cover the basic principles of genealogy and family history research to help you start uncovering the mysteries of your own family tree. 

Registration is not required.

A follow-up presentation at 6:30 p.m. March 12 will delve deeper into the sources you will encounter on your family research journey, including vital records, historical census data, and military records.  

Registration is required for this program. Please call the circulation desk at 203-734-1492 to register.

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

This is shared from the Library's website.

Program on genealogy slated at Oxford Public Library

OXFORD - Are you interested in building your family tree? 

Join instructor Sarah Miller at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at Oxford Public Library as she presents strategies to begin your ancestral research using a variety of online resources. We will focus on American records available and how to locate them. 

The presentation is followed by guided research time with access to several paid genealogical subscriptions. Please bring family documents and information as well as a tablet or laptop. 

This class is designed for those just beginning their ancestral research.

The Library is at 49 Great Oak Road.

This is shared from the Oxford Public Library Facebook page.

Seymour Historical Society to host author's talk on genealogy research

SEYMOUR - An award-winning author will offer tips on how to research your family’s history at 2 p.m. May 22 at the Seymour Historical Society, 59 West St.

The program will be hosted by Jill Marie Snyder, a retired corporate executive who turned her own genealogy research into an award-winning book about her parents, “Dear Mary, Dear Luther: A Courtship in Letters.”
Snyder now conducts family history workshops, and her book has been featured in newspapers and on Connecticut public radio stations.
She’ll talk about her own research, offer advice on genealogy research sources, and suggest the best ways to share everything that you ultimately learn about your family.

The program is free and open to the public.
Doors open at 1 p.m. for those wishing to reserve good seats. 
Masks are recommended, but not required.

For more information: email president@seymourhistoricalsociety.org or message us on Facebook.

This is shared from the Society's Facebook page.

Save the date: Genealogy program slated at Beacon Falls Senior Center

This is shared from the Beacon Falls Public Library Facebook page.

Derby Public Library to present virtual program on ancestral research

DERBY - Derby Public Library invites residents to join instructor Sarah Miller via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. Monday as she presents strategies for getting started with ancestral research using online sources. 

We’ll focus on the types of American records available and how to locate them. Please collect family documents and information as Miller will be happy to answer your questions.

This class is designed for those just beginning their ancestral research.

Registration is required for this program and will be conducted through Zoom. To download Zoom, visit your app store or download from Zoom.us to register for a free account. 

Note: Prior to the event, you will receive a reminder email with the Zoom meeting details and link.
Miller has been researching her family history for nearly 20 years. She combines her experience as an elementary school teacher with her passion for genealogy to give new researchers the tools to build their own family trees. 

Miller works as a Literacy Tutor for Seymour Public Schools. She lives in Seymour with her husband and daughter and their five cats.


This is shared from the Derby Public Library website.

Recuperation journey: Learning about ancestors

Heredity, genealogy, genetics.

I'm intrigued by the DNA test kits available to help us to better understand ourselves and those who came before us.

A first cousin of mine recently got involved, and I'm curious to find out his results.

Have you taken advantage of this technology? If so I'd love to hear about your experience. Please leave me a comment! 

Clubs are focus of local history session at Derby Public Library

DERBY - The Derby Public Library holds weekly Local History Information Sessions from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesdays.
 

During this time resident Mary Bisaccia, the Library’s Local History Coordinator, offers information on monthly highlighted topics.

The topic in March will be Clubs and Societies in Derby – Past and Present.

Assistance also will be available for research on genealogy, prominent local figures, major area events, and more.  

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.  

This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.