Quick Links to Early Families of Redding, Connecticut:
Adams, Banks, Barlow, Bartlett, Bartram, Bates, Beach, Benedict, Betts, Burr, Burritt, Burton, Chatfield, Couch, Darling, Fairchild, Foster, Gilbert, Gold, Gorham, Gray, Griffin, Hall, Hawley, Heron, Hill, Hull, Jackson, Lee, Lord, Lyon, Mallory, Meade, Meeker, Merchant, Morehouse, Perry, Platt, Read, Rogers, Rumsey, Sanford, Smith, Stowe

Genealogy/Family History Advice:

Many requests come in regarding the names that appear on this website. In most cases I am able to provide information and direction for individuals in need of Genealogy assistance. And though I'd like to take full credit, I do have help. What I do when conducting a search for an individual is as follows:

First, I take into account what timeframe the individual was alive. This is very important, for obvious reasons...those being: It determines where to look and what source(s) to look in. For Example:

• If an individual was living in Redding before 1767 (for example) you will need to look in Fairfield, Connecticut records because prior to 1767, 1729-1767 to be exact, Redding was a parish of Fairfield, CT. This is true for most towns in Southwestern Connecticut, Weston was also a parish of Fairfield, Easton, was too. Wilton is another example, it was once a parish of Norwalk, CT so the timeframe is very important in determining where to look.

  • The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records is helpful for Redding from 1767 up to 1852. This volume in the Barbour series, which covers the towns of Portland, Prospect, Redding, and Ridgefield encompasses 30,200 persons!

  • U.S. Census records are sometimes helpful but keep in mind that from 1790-1840 only the head of household is listed, the number of household members in different age groups is noted but that's it. Ancestry.com allows you to search them. I'd suggest an initial search on the name you're looking for to see if it's in their database.

  • Court, Land, Probate Records and Miltary Records can be helpful in this timeframe as well, again, Ancestry.com allows you to search these types of records, however, Land and Probate Records should be searched for at the Town House of the town they lived in. Footnote.com has Military documentation available online.

  • For many searches on early to mid 1700's data, a trip to the town is necessary. Libraries and Historical Societies are the places to start at, a call or e-mail to each prior to arrival helps. Libraries and Historical Societies contain a wealth of information for those seeking Genealogical information...the key to success is coming prepared and being respectful to the staff, remember that in most cases they are volunteers.

  • Many towns have a town historian which is helpful too. Town historians are very knowledgeable on all periods of town history. And they usually author or have knowledge of historical reports filed in town, these reports contain very good and up-to-date historical information on: Churches, Housing, Landscape, Parks, Businesses, etc....These reports are rarely "readily" available to the public, but can be obtained.

• For Individuals living between 1850 and 1900, there is a probability they will show up on Township maps listing property owners, Beers was a common map-makers name for towns in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. In addition to the maps, I'll also review Civil War records, the U.S. census, Immigration & Naturalization Records, Birth, Marriage, Death records too. Census records allow you to both confirm information, and to learn a lot more. Beginning with the 1850 Census, details are provided for all individuals in households which is very cool. I've used several online tools and have had the best luck with Ancestry.com. The annual membership saves $17 a month. It's a wonderful tool, they also have Family Tree builders to help you sort out what you find.

Second, upon finding a match I'll start looking for details on the individual. In most cases, the details (if any) will show up in a book or historical report on the town the individual lived in. Searching Amazon.com is a good start, I usually search the town name. "Redding, Connecticut" under books to bring up a listing of Books relating to Redding, if the list is too long I add "history" to the search term: "Redding, Connecticut + History". For those interested Redding, Connecticut, books about it can be found here: Books on Redding, Connecticut. In some towns, books and reports can be tough to find online and require some legwork...your own or someone you hire to do it for you. Also be sure to try typing your names into Google's new book search database to see if anything shows up there.

• Libraries in the town the individual lived in will contain books on the history of the town. They sometimes have history rooms where you can view reports, histories, newspapers, family collections, microfilms, etc... Wilton, Connecticut's library has an amazing history room, well staffed and packed with history information. New: What is available at the Mark Twain Library

• When looking at town history books, a quick flip to the index to search for your name(s) speeds up the process. Don't limit your search to just the town, get familiar with the towns around it and view their town histories too. Sometimes an individual living on or near the border of another town will be included in that town's history. For example: In Georgetown CT, residents come from several towns: Redding, Wilton and Weston...confusing as it sounds it makes sense to Georgetowners.

• If your individual happens to be listed in a church history section of a town history book, a follow up with the church can be helpful. Christ Church on Redding Ridge, for example, put out a 250 yr. history booklet in 1982 that is not all that common...rare as they call it. Without a call to the church I wouldn't have known it existed. View Books on Redding, Connecticut for a book on the Congregational Church by Lawrence Banks, this one is available online.

• Review Connecticut Guides and Histories. For example: "The Connecticut Guide" released by the State Planning Board in 1935 contains tid-bits on all the towns in Connecticut and is peppered with names of early settlers, preachers, businessmen, etc.. Who knows, you may find the name your looking for.

• If your lucky enough to learn where the individual worked, there's a chance that a history has been written about the company and details can be found there. Gilbert and Bennett Manufacturing Co. in Georgetown, CT had two books and several booklets written about it, they all contain a wealth of information on not only the executives but employees as well. Rare book sellers and Ebay are places I search when looking for these type of books.

Third, I'll post an information request at several online Genealogy forums. This can be helpful whether or not I have located the individual...sometimes I have a decent amount of information and a post results in even more OR I have nothing, I post a request, receive nothing in response and at that point it's much easier to end the search knowing I've exhausted all resources.

So as you can see, this isn't rocket science...you just need the right tools, a little patience, and a lot of luck. And keep in mind that you don't have to go it alone, Genealogy experts do exist and there are plenty of them ready to assist you. Contact the Historical Society in the area you are searching in for a list of Top Guns.

Happy Searching!!
Brent M. Colley

Want to earn commissions selling Revolutionary War and Civil War products online? It's easy, I do it and have had quite a few sales. I use Aurora History Boutique.

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