Excerpt from Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800, Vol. 4 It may be remarked in passin how many early records have never been provided with indexes of t e Grantors, though quite as essential as that of the Grantees to be found. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800, Vol. 5 The question of the abandoned farm seems to us at times to be more a question of the abandoned family than anything else. In other words a case wherein some well established family of to - day in the changing vicissitudes of our American life as is so common had lost all knowledge of its early career. Even the traditional had faded from view and that usual mainstay - a Bible record - but began a short and' uninteresting story some two or three generations back with the bare facts of a birth. A marriage and the children; just where, it did not seem as if of enough consequence to state., There are, we feel sure, many such instances all over the land of old American families that through the changing years and circumstances have become detached from their early anchorage, while the effort to find it again has seemed so hopeless as to induce the feeling of utter despair. It might seem therefore as if the disclosure of these early marriage records might serve a good purpose if they surely revealed the long hid den secret and fixed the locality in the minds and hearts of this genera tion. In our last issue - Book IV - we had occasion in the Preface to refer to the bright prospects of some definite action by the state authorities to repair and save the old records scattered about; and could wish now it was our pleasure to report steady progress in that direction. The ques tion seemed so vital and so completely removed from any thought of party prejudice that every member of the General Assembly might be presumed to have an interest as he had an interest in his own town's need. A definite policy for the reconstruction of the old books seemed to be the most natural conclusion to draw from the facts in hand. From our view therefore it is a real disappointment to have to chronicle here that when the special commission had, after months of labor, made its interest ing report, been given a hearing and had pressed its recommendations, said report met the same fate as many another unpopular though worthy cause. And so here seems to be the end of the suggestion which Governor Lounsbury so faithfully urged, with nothing apparently gained by the long discussion. The old records are now two years older than when this subject was first as a crying need advocated; while what is a more serious complication consists in the fact that in two old towns at least with rec ords of very ancient date, a private corporation has seen fit to make com plete abstracts of both land and probate for their own use, while the originals freely handled have suffered even more serious damage. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800, Vol. 2 Encouraged by the unexpected interest taken in our first book of Early Connecticut Marriages which now seems to be fulfilling its purpose; and desirous of assisting still further the efforts of persistent seekers scattered all over our vast country who would know still more of their early Connecticut ancestors. This second book is so soon issued; being well assured that if original data is required this will prove to be even more useful than the first. While certain to be of service to many in supplying needful facts and dates long sought for, it will necessarily prove disappointing to others, who finding not just what they want, must still longer struggle with the old and perplexing problems. Realizing too truly how humble our effort is thus to bring to view a portion of the valuable genealogical matter hidden away in obscure quarters of the state. Our own regret is that with what is even here dis closed absolute completeness in every detail cannot be secured. For not only have the years left their destroying impress upon many a page, but in other cases difiicult indeed would it be to tell just what was there in written. If in this particular we seem to criticise the pastor's scrawling hand, that in some cases was quite unique, we stand ready to defend him against critics who in reading herein will see instead a spelling of names seemingly unjustified. So far as our endeavor is concerned we have followed closely the text. And in defense of the minister's apparent mistakes here it might well be agreed that in those days there was no standard for the spelling of surnames, however much the Holy Scrip tures may have guided all in the construction of Christian names. Educated though he was, the art. Of printing, so limited in its employ ment then, had not touched a subject which, by the common use of the printing press to-day, is fixed in every man's mind. On some of the old town records a single page will bear the same surname spelled in several different ways, merely from the want of a standard which even the owner himself could not set. However, it is a matter deserving fuller treatmenthistorically by some able specialist, who may settle forever some such questions as thus stand in the way to successful search. Our desire is to warn the reader not to allow any peculiar spelling of a name to throw him off the track, nor fail to give due weight to every name that in any degree could resemble that sought for. It has been observed that in a few extraordinary cases marked changes have occurred in some names to puzzle and bewilder the seeker; but in the large majority of instances it were well to follow the slight variations to their legitimate end. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Early Connecticut Marriages as Found on Ancient Church Records, Prior to 1800, Vol. 3 A preface to this, the Third Book of Early Connecticut Marriages. Seems hardly necessary in view of the fact that so little is to be added to what has already been stated in our two previous issues. And yet a word must be said if only to express our sincere gratification that through sufficient patronage this unique genealogical enterprise should have been found popular enough to warrant the issue of a third book of the kind without financial loss. However certain a gain all such productions always are to earnest seekers, we ourselves are not so sure but that its fate may yet be not unlike many another such - a drug on the market; still, with past encouragement and increasing interest the hope is augmented that as a natural consequence a fourth book may duly appear, leading to the ulti mate completion of this most helpful work. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from Early Connecticut Marriages: As Found on Ancient Church Records, Prior to 1800 So often is it such undertakings as this are left very incomplete that we have special reason for gratification in the final accomplishment of a task begun some ten years ago with timid heart. It was a large task then set ourselves; but the years and the accomplishment alone have revealed its full meaning. And now we are exceeding glad of the effort in that so many in all parts of the country have received some benefit therefrom. As to the records herein, so far as can be discovered they are the only existing ones of this period not before appearing in print. It is possible the coming years may reveal others as in the case of Glastonbury and gradually our list of "Church Records Lost" see some reduction. Let us hope so. Our own search has failed to find more. Any information that would lead to the discovery of a single additional book would be gladly welcomed. For the value of such records lies but in their ability to disclose additional family data whereby to anchor another American family to the good old state of Connecticut and to the churches that have in all the years fostered the Christian manhood and womanhood shared by the generations of to-day. In addition to the records of Congregational churches it is our pleasure to supply herein those of the Episcopal Church also. Unfortunately they are comparatively few though the Church was early established here and might but for the trials of the Revolution which scattered so many of its adherents have contributed much more to the result. However herein are published all that can be found to date. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.