Fairfield County, Connecticut Genealogy
Guide to Fairfield County, Connecticut ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
- This article is about a county in Connecticut. For other uses, see Fairfield (disambiguation).
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Fairfield County was created on 10 May 1666[1] and named for the hundreds of acres of salt marsh that bordered the coast.[2] The counties in Connecticut do not have county seats.The cities and towns are responsible for all local governmental activities.[3] It is located in the southwestern corner of the state.
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
There is no county government. The government is at the town level: Fairfield Region
Fairfield County, Connecticut Record Dates[edit | edit source]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1700 | 1700 | 1700 | late 1600s | 1761 | 1648 | 1670 |
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]
| Cities | ||
| Towns | ||
| Villages | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
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Towns Organized before 1800:
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History Timeline[edit | edit source]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- William Willard Roberts, Pioneers and patriots of Pequannock, 1639-1799 , (Salt Lake City, Utah Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1983). Includes sections of old Fairfield, Stratford, and Stratfield. "This historical synopsis...makes no pretense of being complete." Pequannock is now known as Bridgeport, Connecticut. Online at: FamilySearch Library, FS Library US/CAN Fiche 6019422.
- J.H. Beers & Company, Commemorative biographical record of Fairfield County, Connecticut containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, (Chicago, Illinois J.H. Beers, 1899). Includes full name index. Online at: FamilySearch Library, FS Library US/CAN Film 1421858 Items 4-5, or FS Library US/CAN Book 974.69 D3c pt.2.
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
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Census Records[edit | edit source]
For online and statewide census resources and information, see: Connecticut Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1790 | 36,290 | — |
| 1800 | 38,208 | 5.3% |
| 1810 | 41,050 | 7.4% |
| 1820 | 42,739 | 4.1% |
| 1830 | 47,010 | 10.0% |
| 1840 | 49,917 | 6.2% |
| 1850 | 59,775 | 19.7% |
| 1860 | 77,476 | 29.6% |
| 1870 | 95,276 | 23.0% |
| 1880 | 112,042 | 17.6% |
| 1890 | 150,081 | 34.0% |
| 1900 | 184,203 | 22.7% |
| 1910 | 245,322 | 33.2% |
| 1920 | 320,936 | 30.8% |
| 1930 | 386,702 | 20.5% |
| 1940 | 418,384 | 8.2% |
| 1950 | 504,342 | 20.5% |
| 1960 | 653,589 | 29.6% |
| 1970 | 792,814 | 21.3% |
| 1980 | 807,143 | 1.8% |
| 1990 | 827,645 | 2.5% |
| 2000 | 882,567 | 6.6% |
| 2010 | 916,829 | 3.9% |
| Source: Wikipedia.org". | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
- 1804-1959 Connecticut, passenger and crew lists, 1804-1959 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
- African American Civil War Memorial in Danbury, CT at New Milford History
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
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Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
Deeds, mortgages, releases, and other documents are at the town halls. Most are indexed by grantor and grantee, no statewide index. Microfilm copies (early to the mid or late 1800s, with some up to the 1900s) are available at the Connecticut State Library and also online at FamilySearch.org.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- History of Fairfield County, Connecticut. Compiled under supervision of D. Hamilton Hurd. 1881. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : J.W. Lewis. Online at: Part 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Part 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library; 2 volumes in 1 - Hathitrust Internet Archive; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928. 3 volumes. By Lynn Winfield Wilson. 1929. Chicago, Illinois : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Online at: Vol. 1 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 2 - FamilySearch Digital Library, Vol. 3 -FamilySearch Digital Library; Vols. 1-3 - Hathitrust; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Revolutionary War
- Naval history of Fairfield County men in the Revolution : a tale untold(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - digital book
Civil War
- African American Civil War Memorial in Danbury, CT at New Milford History
World War I
- 1917 Connecticut, World War I, Military Census of Nurses, 1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
World War II
- 1940-1945 Connecticut, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
See also Connecticut Naturalization and Citizenship and U.S. Naturalization Online Genealogy Records.
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1791-1906 US Naturalization Records, New England, 1791-1906 at MyHeritage - index & images ($)
- 1852-1877 Connecticut Naturalization Records, 1795-1942 Bridgeport City Court at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; List of Records Included in Collection; index & images
- 1893-1906 Connecticut, Federal Naturalization Records, 1790-1996 Connecticut Circuit Court at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- 1893-1911 Connecticut Naturalization Records, 1795-1942 U.S. Circuit Court at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1963-1992 Connecticut, District Court Naturalization Indexes, 1851-1992 Bridgeport District Court at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
- 1800s-Current Connecticut, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800s-1999 Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- 1830-Onward Connecticut, Fairfield County Obituaries at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
The records are kept at district courts. The County government does not exist. Not every town has a court. Some are included in a district making up from 1 to 5 towns. The Districts are: Avon, Berlin, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Enfield, Farmington, Granby, Hartford, Hartland, Manchester, Marlborough, Plainville, Simsbury, Southington, Suffield, and Windsor.
See Connecticut Probate Records. See also Connecticut State Library, Research Guide to Connecticut Probate Records.
Online Probate Records
- 1704-1757 Fairfield County, CT: Probate Records, 1704-1757 at American Ancestors - index only ($)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
- 1865-1874 Connecticut, U.S., Excise Tax Lists, 1865-1874 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Birth[edit | edit source]
- Pre 1850 Connecticut, Vital Records, Prior to 1850 (Barbour Collection) at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1639-1941 Connecticut, Births and Baptisms, 1639-1941 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1897-1917 The Connecticut Genealogy Index - Births at Reclaim the Records - index; Also at: Ancestry ($)
- 1897-1917 Connecticut, Births at MyHeritage — index ($)
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- Pre 1850 Connecticut, Vital Records, Prior to 1850 (Barbour Collection) at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1897-2017 The Connecticut Genealogy Index - Marriages at Reclaim the Records - index; Also at: Ancestry ($)
- 1966-2002 Connecticut, Marriages, 1966-2002 at MyHeritage - index ($)
Death[edit | edit source]
- Pre 1850 Connecticut, Vital Records, Prior to 1850 (Barbour Collection) at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1640-1955 Connecticut, Deaths, 1640-1955 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1897-2017 The Connecticut Genealogy Index - Deaths at Reclaim the Records - index
- 1917-2017 Connecticut, U.S., Death Index, 1917-2017 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1949-2012 Connecticut Death Index, 1949-2012 at MyHeritage - index ($)
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1720-1799 Divorce papers, 1720-1799, Fairfield County(*) at FamilySearch Catalog - images
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Fairfield County. For state-wide facilities, see Connecticut Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Newtown Connecticut FamilySearch Center
- Woodbridge Connecticut FamilySearch Center
- Bridgeport Public Library - an affiliate library
- Fairfield Museum and History Center - an affiliate library
- Wilton Library Association Inc. - an affiliate library
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Fairfield County. For state-wide library facilities, see Connecticut Archives and Libraries.
Bethel Public Library
189 Greenwood Ave
Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: 203-794-8756
Email: adult@bethellibrary.org
Website
Facebook
Bridgeport Public Library – History Center
925 Broad Street (3rd floor)
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: 203-576-7400, ext. #7
Fax: 203-576-8255
Email: hclibrarian@bridgeportpubliclibrary.org
Website
The Brookfield Library
182 Whisconier Road
Brookfield, CT 06804
Phone: 203-775-6241
Email: info@brookfieldlibrary.org
Website
Facebook
C.H. Booth Library
25 Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470
Phone: 203-426-4533
Email: dlord@chboothlibrary.org
Website
Danbury Public Library
170 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-797-4505
Email: comments@danburylibrary.org
Website
Facebook
Darien Library
1441 Post Road
Darien, CT 06820
Phone: 203-655-1234
Email: askus@darienlibrary.org
Website
Easton Public Library
691 Morehouse Road
Easton, CT 06612
Phone: 203-261-0134
Email: epl@eastonlibrary.org
Website
Facebook
Edith Wheeler Memorial Library
733 Monroe Turnpike
Monroe, CT 06468
Phone: 203 452-2850
Email: lrhyins@ewml.org
Website
Fairfield Public Library
1080 Old Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: 203-256-3155
Email: eref@fplct.org
Website
Facebook
Greenwich Library
101 West Putnam Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830-5387
Phone: 203 622-7948
Website
New Canaan Library
151 Main Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: 203-594-5000
Website
New Fairfield Library
2 Brush Hill Road
New Fairfield, CT 06812
Phone: 203-312-5679
Website
The Norfolk Library
9 Greenwoods Rd East
PO Box 605
Norfolk, CT 06058
Phone: 860-542-5075
Email: norfolkdirector@biblio.org
Website
Norwalk Public Library
1 Belden Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
Phone: 203-899-2780
Website
Museums[edit | edit source]
Fairfield Museum and History Center
370 Beach Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
Phone: 203-259‑1598
Website
Facebook
Westport Museum For History and Culture
25 Avery Place
Westport, CT 06880
Phone: 203-222-1424
Email: archives@westporthistory.org
Website
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Fairfield County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Connecticut Societies.
Bethel Historical Society
40 Main Street
Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: 203-743-5893
Email: president@BethelHistoricalSociety.com
Website
Facebook
The Bridgeport Community Historical Society
P.O. Box 1956
Bridgeport, CT 06601-1956
Email: audreywpca@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Brookfield Museum and Historical Society
165 Whisconier Road
P.O. Box 5231
Brookfield, CT 06804
Phone: 203-740-8140
Email: brookfieldhistsoc@snet.net
Website
Danbury Museum and Historical Society
43 Main Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-743-5200
Email: p.wells@danbury-ct.gov
Website
Facebook
Darien Historical Society
45 Old Kings Highway North
Darien, CT 06820
Phone: 203-655-9233
Email:ukremer@darienhistorical.org
Website
Gaelic American Club, Inc.
74 Beach Rd
Fairfield, CT 06824
Website
Genealogy Club of Newtown, Connecticut
25 Main Street
Newtown, CT 06470
Phone: 203-426-4533
Email: newtowngenealogy@yahoo.com
Facebook
Greenwich Historical Society
47 Strickland Road
Cos Cob, CT 06807
Phone: 203-869-6899
Email: cpandolfino@greenwichhistory.org
Historical Society of Easton
P.O. Box 121
Easton, CT 06612
Phone: 203-292-3533
Email: hseastonct@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Middlesex Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 1111
Darien, CT 06820
Phone: 203-964-4727
Email: stevenaanderson@gmail.com
Website
Monroe Historical Society
P.O. Box 212
Monroe, CT 06468
Phone: 203-261-1383
Email: society@monroecthistory.org
Website
New Canaan Historical Society
13 Oenoke Ridge Road
New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: 203-966-1776
Fax: 203-972-5917
Email: info@nchistory.org
Website
New Fairfield Historical Society
2 Brush Hill Road
New Fairfield, CT 06812
Phone: 203-312-5679
Email: mkaa4@aol.com
Website
Newtown Historical Society
P.O. Box 189
Newtown, CT 06470
Phone: 203-426-5937
Email: info@newtownhistory.org
Website
Norfolk Historical Society
13 Village Green
PO Box 288
Norfolk, CT 06058
Phone: 860-542-5761
Email: info@norfolkhistoricalsociety.org
Website
Norwalk Historical Society
P.O. Box 1640
Norwalk, CT 06852
Phone: 203-846-0525
Email: info@norwalkhistoricalsociety.org
Website
Redding Historical Society
P.O. Box 1023
43 Lonetown Road
Redding Center, CT 06875
Email: reddinghistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Website
Ridgefield Historical Society
4 Sunset Lane
Ridgefield CT 06877
Phone: 203-438-5821
Email:ridgefieldhistory@sbcglobal.net
Website
Shelton History Center
P.O. Box 2155
70 Ripton Rd
Shelton, CT 06484
Phone: 203-925-1803
Website
Sherman Historical Society
10 Route 37 Center
Sherman, CT 06784
Phone: 860-354-3083
Email: office@shermanhistoricalsociety.org
Website
Stamford Historical Society
1508 High Ridge Rd
Stamford, CT 06903
Phone: 203-329-1183
Email: history@stamfordhistory.org
Website
Stratford Historical Society
Box 382
Stratford, CT 06615
Phone: 203-378-0630
Email: judsonhousestfd@aol.com
Website
Trumbull Historical Society
P.O. Box 312
1856 Huntington Turnpike
Trumbull, CT 06611
Phone: 203-377-6620
Email: trumbullhistory@gmail.com
Website
Weston Historical Society
P.O. Box 1092
104 Weston Road
Weston, CT 06883
Phone: 203-226-1804
Email: info@westonhistoricalsociety.org
Website
Wilton Historical Society
224 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897
Phone: 203-762-7257
Email: info@wiltonhistorical.org
Website
Websites[edit | edit source]
- ancestry.com($), Available databases for Fairfield County.
- Connecticut Genealogy, LDS Genealogy Fairfield County Genealogy
- Cyndi's List, Fairfield County General Resource Sites
- The Fairfield County CTGenWeb Project, an member of The CTGenWeb Project
- Linkpendium, Fairfield County Genealogy and Famiy History
- USGennet, accessed 28 Feb 2011), provides genealogical research links for the county of Fairfield, Connecticut.
- The USGenWeb Archives Project
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Newberry
- ↑ eReference Desk
- ↑ Wikipedia
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Fairfield County, Connecticut . Page 113 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 104-110.
- ↑ Newberry
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Fairfield County, Connecticut," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfield_County%2C_Connecticut, accessed 25 September 2018.