Connecticut Ancestry Society

08/06/2026

We can't get enough of Blaine T. Bettinger! In addition to looking forward to seeing him at the NERGC - New England Regional Genealogical Conference in 2027, we're delighted to sponsor Blaine when he presents “Ethical Issues Associated with Generative AI for Genealogists” on Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10:30am. https://connecticutancestry.org/events/
https://connecticutancestry.org/members-only/

We are so excited about our two Featured Speakers for NERGC 2027! We are highlighting them both individually here and will share their presentation topics very soon! Meet Featured Speaker, Blaine Bettinger, PhD., J.D.:

Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence. In 2007, he started The Genetic Genealogist (www.thegeneticgenealogist.com), one of the earliest blogs on the topic. Blaine is the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, and co-author with Debbie Parker Wayne of the award-winning Genetic Genealogy in Practice, the world’s first genetic genealogy workbook. He also co-authored “Genetics for Genealogy” with Judy Russell in 2018’s Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (ProGen PPS)(Elizabeth Shown Mills, Author and Editor).

Blaine is or has been an instructor for genetic genealogy courses at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research.

Blaine is a graduate of ProGen Study Group 21, a trustee for the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, and a member of the DNAngels Board of Directors since 2022 (President since January 2023). He is also the founder in 2017 of Genetic Genealogy Tips & Techniques, a very active Facebook group with approximately 90,000 members.

07/19/2026

More items for you to support the Stamford History Center: A public sale on Saturday, July 25th from 9am-4pm.

07/18/2026

One week from today, there's a sale at the Stamford History Center. It's much more than jewelry! Check it out.

If you love vintage jewelry, we have it at our One Day Benefit Sale Fundraiser, happening in 1 more week. Next Saturday, from 9am-4pm shop for antiques, collectibles, tableware and more. Proceeds benefit Stamford History Center.

07/18/2026

The NERGC - New England Regional Genealogical Conference can help you find cousins, even if you won't be attending in 2027.

Queries are a beloved NERGC tradition, rooted in the joy of connecting with others and discovering new cousins. There are two ways to have your queries featured at NERGC 2027.

1. Submit them for inclusion in the Syllabus — just $10 for up to 4 lines of text. Visit https://nergc.org/queries-2027/ to get started. The deadline for submissions to be included in the Syllabus is January 1, 2027.

OR...

2. Post your query on the Bulletin Board during the conference, where fellow attendees can browse and take notice. With your permission, all queries will also be posted on the NERGC website following the conference.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

07/18/2026

Your ancestors were more than names, dates and places.

Records That Reveal Community Standing (New Quicksheet)

An ancestor’s standing within a community can often be inferred from records reflecting social position, responsibility, and participation. These records provide insight into reputation, influence, and level of respect within a local area.

Get the Quicksheet at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/records-that-reveal-community-standing/

07/18/2026

Add our congratulations, too. Way to go, Jen Zinck of Ancestor Central! Thanks for all you do for the Genealogy community.

The Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council is proud to share that CPGC President Jennifer L. Zinck, CG®, CGL®, AG®, AGL™, has been appointed by Governor Ned Lamont to the Connecticut State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB), for a term extending through June 2029.

SHRAB is the state’s central advisory body for historical records planning, working to preserve and improve access to Connecticut’s documentary heritage, including the very records genealogists rely on every day. Jennifer’s appointment brings a dedicated voice for the genealogical community to that table.

Jennifer holds credentials from both the Board for Certification of Genealogists and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, and her research, lecturing, and service have long enriched our council and the wider genealogical community.

Please join us in congratulating Jennifer on this well-deserved honor.

07/18/2026

American Ancestors has a guide for researching English records.

Use our free guide to help get you started in English research.

07/18/2026

REGISTRATION IS OPEN: Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Inc. Family History Day Seminar on Saturday, October 3, 2026 in the Hartog Auditorium at Ashlar Village in Wallingford, CT. 250 years of CT history celebrated!

📢 Registration is now open for the Connecticut Society of Genealogists' Family History Day Seminar!

Join fellow family historians for a day of education, inspiration, and discovery as we explore this year's theme: "CT 250: The Stories That Made Connecticut."

Whether you're just starting your family history journey or are an experienced researcher, you'll gain valuable insights, research strategies, and historical perspectives from expert speakers.

Learn more and register today: https://csginc.org/family-history-day-seminar/

07/18/2026

Via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Monday night. The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society - NYG&B webinar is free and open to the public. Register for the link.

Join Us Online: "Searching New York Records on Ancestry" (July 20, 2026, 6–7 p.m. EDT)

Are you finding all the New York records on Ancestry.com that you need?

Susan R. Miller, NYG&B Director, Publications, will demonstrate efficient ways to find New York records on the site. She will also show how to learn if records for the location of interest are included in the collection being searched.

This is a free online webinar, but registration is required: https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/events/searching-new-york-records-ancestry-0

07/18/2026

"...it’s an attempt to concrete over an inconvenient history...We stop building if we find Viking remains. These babies died into the 1980s and '90s," said Bessborough survivor Noelle Brown, who was born into the mother and baby home. Rallies continued today at the site of the home that has been approved for the building of 140 apartments.

The poem was written by Jim Williamson and was posted by Catherine Corless to Facebook and forwarded to us.

RESPECT NOT NEGLECT
These grounds hold such stories dark
Where is our memorial park?
A place where we can sit a while
To think of mother, think of child
We can't forget what happened here
The lack of love and lack of care
Those wretched separation hours
Supervised by thin veiled cowards
Let's not abandon them again
Let's show them that they have a friend
They deserve so much more
Than just a name that went before
This was no home, no safe place
Exiled, told they fell from grace.
Each mother who was found with child
Was judged, degraded and defiled.
You all are heroes in our eyes
We must somehow recognise
That you deserve respect, no shame.
A park with every single name.
©JIM WILLIAMSON JULY 2026

More than 250 people at Sunday’s commemoration heard that survivors of the mother and baby home and their supporters will not stand by if planning is upheld and construction begins on the site