Genealogy & Local History
Contact: Adult Services Desk or call 203-438-2282 x12004.
The Ridgefield Library is dedicated to maintaining a genealogy research collection and resources related to Ridgefield’s history, and to assist patrons using these collections.
The genealogy collection includes general genealogy, census and military records, advanced genealogy research, and genealogy by national origin. Online resources include American Ancestors, Ancestry Library Edition, and MyHeritage Library Edition.
The local history collection contains books and resources on the history of Ridgefield, the Ridgefield Press newspaper from 1875 to present, indexes to selected Ridgefield Press articles, local biographical information, prominent family histories, an architectural survey of historic homes in Ridgefield, and much more
Good News for Genealogists and Historians
The Ridgefield Library has a ST ViewScan III microfilm scanner to provide improved access to the Ridgefield Press from 1875 to 2003 as well as other microform content.
To learn more about this resource, contact the Adult Services Desk for an individual appointment for a demonstration.
Online Resources
Authoritative sources of articles and reference information, brought to you by the Ridgefield Library unless otherwise noted. Have your library card handy for log-in.
Genealogy Information
Search more than 500 research databases maintained by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS). Covers vital, probate, cemetery, church, and other records spanning the U.S. and beyond, including one of the most extensive online collections of early American records, and the largest searchable collection of published genealogical research journals and magazines. Available on library computers only.
Special strengths include English, New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia materials.
Established in 1845, New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) is America’s founding genealogical organization.
The world’s most popular consumer online genealogy resource. Billions of records from 8,000 databases, census data, vital records, immigration & military records, and more. Unparalleled coverage of the United States and the United Kingdom. Search by state and country included. Ancestry.com, Inc. is based in Provo, UT. Available on library computers only.
Connecticut State Library Collections in Ancestry.com
Create an individual account and search Connecticut records only. The complete version of Ancestry Library Edition is available on library computers only.
Powered by Ancestry. U.S. census records 1790-1940, local history books and articles, city directories, Revolutionary War records, and more.
More than 5 billion historical records from all over the world, including U.S. and U.K. census records, 1.5 billion exclusive family tree profiles from MyHeritage and Geni, millions of public records and tombstone photos, directories, guides, references, biographies and yearbooks, exclusive databases such as the Jewish Chronicle historical newspaper, and many others. MyHeritage is based in Israel.
Historical Newspapers
Historical Hartford Courant 1764-1922
Temporarily unavailable due to state budget cuts
Historical New York Times 1851–2009
Biographical Information
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State and Local Genealogy and History Resources
Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc.
Connecticut Society of Genealogists
Connecticut State Library History & Genealogy Reference Unit
Extensive research library available online, including index of Ridgefield names, cemetery indexes, and more.
(website created by Jack Sanders)
Ridgefield Press Obituaries Index 1875 to August 2005
A Who’s Who of People Who Made News in 20th Century Ridgefield
Genealogy Resources
Find genealogy resources on the Internet\
DAR Genealogical Research System
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
ree family history and genealogy records
World’s largest gravesite collection
British and Irish family history
Fold3 Military Records: Accessible from Connecticut State Library with a CSL library card.
World’s largest free family tree
National database of obituaries
New England Historic Genealogical Society – AmericanAncestors.org
Public records by state
Free genealogy and family history online
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Circulating books and most reference books are shelved on the Upper Level. Print magazines and newspapers are shelved in the Friends of the Library Reading Room unless otherwise noted.
Genealogy & Local History Collection – Selected Titles
- The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 4th Edition, by Val. D. Greenwood, 2017.
- Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records, Ridgefield 1709-1850 compiled by Lorraine Cook White
- The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy by Blaine T. Bettinger, 2016
- Finding Your Roots by Janice Schultz, 2013
- Unofficial Guide to Ancestry.com by Nancy Hendrickson, 2014
- Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques by George G. Morgan, 2013
- Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide by Joy Neighbors, 2017
- Family Tree Guidebook to Europe by Allison Dolan, 2013
- Family Tree Irish Genealogy Guide by Claire Santry, 2017
- Family Tree Italian Genealogy Guide by Melanie D. Holtz, 2017
- Organize Your Genealogy by Drew Smith, 2016
Books
- Biographies – Alphabetical by last name of person; monarchs and saints are by first name
- Collective Biographies (families or groups as subject) – 920’s
- Family History and Genealogy – 929.1, 929.1028
- Heraldry – 929.6
- Personal Names – 929.4
- Local family histories – Ask at the Adult Services Desk for assistance
- Connecticut History – 974.6
- Ridgefield History – 974.69
Magazines/Newspapers
- Ancestry
- Connecticut Genealogy News
- Connecticut Nutmegger
- American Ancestors (call number 929.1)
- NEHG Register: The Journal of American Genealogy (call number 929.1)