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Norwich Genealogy
The Founder's Monument |
Norwich residents have connections to people across eastern Connecticut, into New York, and beyond. The original Connecticut colony did not have a defined western border. During two economic downturns in the mid-1600s and early 1700s, thousands of Connecticut residents, primarily from the east, left the area to go to a place called the Western Reserve, in what is now known as Ohio and Illinois. Besides these migrations, the trend for Americans to move as land or employment was scarce, means that millions of Americans can trace their roots to the early settlers of the original thirteen colonies. Descendants of Norwich residents can research their family's genealogy through several resources in Norwich.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Norwich City Clerk's Office is an excellent resource for people looking for birth and death certificates as well as property transaction records. Please call Clerk's Office to inquire about use of resources at (860)823-3732 during normal business hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
OTIS LIBRARY
Reference Librarian Dianne Norman at Otis Library (261 Main Street, Norwich, CT 06360, (860) 889-2365) can direct your genealogy inquiries to resources such as Stedman's Directories, local history books, and area listings.
HISTORICAL SOCIETIES
Norwich has several history organizations which may be able to assist with genealogical research. The Society of the Founder's of Norwich, Inc. operates the Leffingwell House Museum and can be reached at (860) 889-9440. The Daughters of the American Revolution administers two meetings houses and their Regent is Melody Whatley, (860) 887-8737. Norwich Municipal Historian, Dale Plummer, can be reached at (860) 889-2514. The Norwich Historical Society can be reached at (860) 886-1776.
ETHNIC GROUPS
If you are looking for a ethnic connection in Norwich, the following people have written brief histories of different ethnic groups in the city and may be able to point you in the right direction:
| Italian |
Paul DeSio |
(860) 887-9573 |
| Polish |
Mary Ann Bizewski |
(860) 889-6353 |
| Greek |
Mary Kizanis or Mary Georgudis |
(860) 887-3111 |
| Jewish |
Harry Swatsburg |
(860) 887-8654 |
| African-American |
Dianne Daniels |
(860) 887-4408 |
| French-Canadian |
Rene Dugas |
(860) 887-1117 |
| Native-American |
Melissa Fawcett (Mohegan) |
(860) 848-6100 |
| Mashantucket Pequot |
Joyce Walker |
(860) 396-2051 |
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