Simsbury Genealogical and Historical Research Library

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Upcoming Events

Genealogy 101: Tracing Your Family History
Saturdays, February 4, February 18, March 3, March 17, and March 31
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Ever wonder who might have been seated around your family’s dinner table at holiday meals hundreds of years ago?  Wonder no more – now you can find out.  The Simsbury Free Library has partnered with Sheila A. Lafferty to offer “Genealogy 101: Tracing Your Family History.” The five session series will hold classes on February 4, February 18, March 3, March 17, and March 31 from 10:00-11:30 a.m.  Participants do not need to attend all sessions.

Students will learn hands-on how to begin searching for their family histories and how online resources can provide clues about family origins.  The class includes: genealogy software, online resources (free and subscription-based), census records, vital records, church records, immigration, military, and more.

Free wireless internet access is available at the Simsbury Free Library, and students are asked to bring their own laptop computers.  The Library has a limited number of computers available for participants who do not have laptops – they can be reserved on a first register, first served basis.  Light refreshments will be provided.  The program is free to members of the Simsbury Free Library.  The fee for non-members is $10 per session or $25 for the entire series.  Membership in the Simsbury Free Library is available at the $20 and $30 levels.  Pre-registration is required to (860) 408-1336 or simsburyfreelibrary@gmail.com.  

Sheila A. Lafferty has a MS in Library Science and is the director of the Julia Brooker Thompson Library, University of Connecticut Torrington Campus.  She has worked for UConn Libraries in Waterbury and Torrington since 1989.  Lafferty is a self taught genealogist and has been researching ancestry for over 30 years.  In addition, she has delivered many presentations about Google searching, web browsers, and other Internet technologies.

Preserving Your Family History Through Photographs
Thursday February 16 at 7:00 p.m.  - OR -
Tuesday, February 21 at 3:00 p.m.,

The Simsbury Free Public Library has partnered with Creative Memories Consultant Roxane Porter to offer “Preserving Your Family History Through Photographs,” a class designed for people who feel they’re being held captive by all their old photographs, new photos, and digital images.

Presented on February 16 at 7:00 p.m. and February 21 at 3:00 p.m., the informative class will provide a variety of ideas to help people get started organizing and writing about photos.  Participants should bring a photo, old or new, that holds special meaning.  The class is free and open to the public.  Pre-registration is required by calling (860) 408-1336 or simsburyfreelibrary@gmail.com.

Connecticut in the American Civil War
Readings from Connecticut Explored|
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
2:00 — 3:30 pm
Discussion Leader Tom Ratliff, CCSU

In true Connecticut Explored style, we will take a look at some of the less-well-known aspects of the war including our state’s naval contributions (from Lincoln’s appointing Glastonbury’s Gideon Welles as secretary of the navy to our shipbuilding might), the participation of African Americans in the fight to end slavery at home and on the battlefield, and women’s efforts to supply the troops and maintain stability on the home front. This program is offered in conjunction with the Connecticut Humanities Council.

Borrow a copy of the magazine at the library and join in the discussion! Copies can be picked up four weeks prior to the program. To pre-register for the program and reserve your copy of Connecticut Explored, or for additional information, please call the Simsbury Free Library at (860) 408-1336 or email simsburyfreelibrary@gmail.com

Researching the History of Your House
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
6:30 p.m. Reception and meet the speaker
7:00 p.m. Program

You can research the history of your house whether it is 20 years old or 150 years old.  Your house is much more than just wood and nails. Discover the history of the residents who lived there before you. Marian Pierre-Louis will introduce house history research including where to find the deeds to your house, how to chain a deed, and locating other sources of information such as the US Federal Census records. Come learn some tricks to get the most out of your house history research. Pre-registration is required to 860-408-1336 or simsburyfreelibrary@gmail.com. Cost for this event is $5.00 for members, $10.00 for non-members.

Marian Pierre-Louis is a house historian, lecturer and writer.  She specializes in the histories of New England homes.  She frequently speaks at libraries, societies and conferences throughout New England on house history and genealogical topics.  She is the author of the popular blog, The New England House Historian (NEHouseHistorian.blogspot.com).  You can learn more about Marian and her work at www.FieldstoneHistoricResearch.com.

Simsbury ARTWALK
Saturday, May 19
SAVE THE DATE         

Stop by the Simsbury Free Library during the first annual Simsbury ARTWALK!  The library will host two artists as well as a special program by art restoration specialist David Kimball.  Check the website for additional information in March.

Bus Trip to Grey Towers National Historic Landmark
Wednesday, May 23
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Parking Lot on Iron Horse Blvd. off of Wilcox Street

Save the date!

Grey Towers is the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, first chief of the US Forest Service and twice Governor of Pennsylvania. Today Grey Towers serves as a conservation education and leadership center, with programs that interpret the lives of the Pinchot family. Join the Simsbury Free Library and special guest Jack Eno for a tour of the mansion and gardens at Grey Towers and a guided walking tour of historic downtown Milford.  Fee will include bus transportation to the Milford, PA park, admission and entry fees, and some refreshments on the bus.  Additional information on the event, including schedule, price and sign up, will be available in February.

DVD's of the Martin Luther King, Jr. in Connecticut documentary that was made by students 

of Simsbury High School are available at the Library for a donation of $10.00, or free with a $25.00 membership to the Simsbury Free Library.  

This is the documentary that was shown at Eno Memorial Hall on Martin Luther King, Jr. day, January 17, 2011.  This film was produced by the Simsbury Free Library, and it chronicles MLK Jr's time in Connecticut.

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The Reading Room

Simsbury Free Library Quarterly Archive
(formerly the SGHRL Newsletter Archive) 

Newsletters are archived in Adobe PDF format.  To download the Adobe Reader, click here

Fall-Winter 2011 - Volume 18, Issues 3-4
Spring-Summer 2011 - Volume 18, Issues 1-2

Winter 2010 - Volume 17, Issue 4
Fall 2010 - Volume 17, Issue 3
Summer 2010 - Volume 17, Issue 2
Spring 2010 - Volume 17, Issue 1

Fall 2009 - Volume 16, Issue 3
Summer 2009 - Volume 16, Issue 2
 Spring 2009 - Volume 16, Issue 1

Winter 2008-09 - Volume 15, Issue 4
Fall 2008 - Volume 15, Issue 3
Summer 2008 - Volume 15, Issue 2
Spring 2008 - Volume 15, Issue 1

Winter 2007-08 - Volume 14, Issue 4 
Fall 2007 - Volume 14, Issue 3
Summer 2007 - Volume 14, Issue 2
Spring 2007 - Volume 14, Issue 1

Winter 2006-07 - Volume 13, Issue 4
Fall 2006 - Volume 13, Issue 3
Spring-Summer 2006 - Volume 13, Issues 1-2

Winter 2005-06 - Volume 12, Issue 4
Summer-Fall 2005 - Volume 12, Issues 2-3
Spring 2005 - Volume 12, Issue 1

 

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