Research Tools
We’ve collected the following references, guides, research hints, and a “Finding Aid” to the collection at the Connecticut State Library — to help you hunt for and preserve your family history!Historical Items
The “Frisbie-Frisbee Family Assn. Collection,” Connecticut State Library in Hartford, CT.
Member Nora G. Frisbie, our Frisbie-Frisbee family Historian and Genealogist for many years, collected extensive correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, published or unpublished materials, and unfinished manuscripts by and about the Frisbies.
In 2001 she donated most of her materials to the FFFAA. The FFFAA then found a permanently archived home for them at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford, CT. Member Virginia Banerjee (#6-910) dedicated many long hours working with the staff of the Connecticut State Library cataloging the materials and preparing a “Finding Aid” document. Nora’s collection is housed in 110 boxes comprising 75 cubic feet, plus a few unboxed large items, and includes folders, binders, boxes, objects and memorabilia. These materials are cataloged as the “Frisbie-Frisbee Family Association Collection” in “Record Group 74” and are available through the library upon request.
Download a “Finding Aid” pdf for the “Frisbie-Frisbee Family Association Collection” at the Connecticut State Library.
Purchase “Edward of Branford and his Descendants” Vol. I-III.
(For more on Nora Frisbie see pgs.iii-viii and 820-821 in “Edward of Branford and his Descendants” Vol. I)
Next Steps
A Guide for Hunting for Your Family
Genealogical research to obtain information about your family can be done using family records, public historical records, DNA kits, and personal interviews.
The first step in your research is to write down everything you know or “remember hearing,” such as your relative’s names and where they were born and lived. Try Google-ing your family by typing in “ancestor of…” and inserting in your grandparents or great grandparent’s names. And definitely check out internet sites like Ancestry.com. Next talk to your family members, their memories can be invaluable in your search. But be prepared, when posing the same question to three different relatives you may get three very different answers. You may want to accept all of their answers, since our memories are colored by personal experiences, and each version may hold a kernel of the whole truth. Next, be flexible in your search. If you hit a brick wall try to go around it. Try tracing aunts/uncles, cousins and distant relatives. We suggest that you keep a log and record everything along the way, the document name, where found, how much you paid, and where you have filed it. This can be very helpful when you are up to your elbows in research and cannot recall where something came from.
Census
Taken once a decade, the intent of the U.S. Census was not for genealogical purposes. It was mandated by the U.S. Constitution to determine State representation and tax apportionment, according the State’s population numbers. (Some states have had interim censuses.) All the censuses from 1790 to 1940 are available and indexed online, except for the 1890 census. Unfortunately, the 1890 census—one of the most pivotal census years, is only partially available because most of that year’s census rolls were destroyed by a fire at the census depository in St. Louis. However, some states and counties had their own census rolls in 1890, and may have the census you are looking for.
Government Documents
Birth/Marriage/Death, Wills/Inventories and Land Purchase/Sale, etc., depending on the make-up of the state governments, may not be found in the same place in every state. County and state courthouses and in some instances, county or state health departments will be the repositories for many of the documents you are looking for. Use the internet to determine where in the state your ancestor lived, and what search services are available.
Historical & Genealogical Societies
Many Historical and Genealogical Societies have copies of early documents that you may be able to access online or by writing/emailing the staff to see how to obtain copies. Personal visits to these repositories may get much faster results, and should you be permitted to look for documents yourself through indices or microfilm you can often avoid possible “search” fees. Depending on how soon you need the documents will determine which course to take. In large cities, the wait can take a year or more to obtain the results to your requests.
Other Records
Many states have county tax lists, land records, and in some cases, voter lists. Churches keep records of births, baptisms, christenings, weddings, and deaths. State and County Boards of Health keep some vital records, as do some courthouses. And there are also visits to cemeteries. Find-A-Grave.com can be extremely helpful in finding your ancestors.
Join Historical Groups
You may wish to join the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution), the General Society of War of 1812 (males over 21) or the National Society U.S. Daughters of 1812. They all have their own qualifications. Many societies do not require certified copies of documents, they will take less expensive photocopies or “for genealogical purposes only” copies from a courthouse, county office, etc. instead.
Attend Genealogical Conferences
There you can talk to other searchers, share your ideas and compare tips. They are great places to learn more.
Preservation
Hints for Preserving Your Family History
Family treasures enrich our lives and bring our ancestors to life. What did our ancestors do and why, the times they lived and how they felt about it, can be fascinating. Here are some suggestions for preserving your family history.
Memory Books
Our memories are special and unique if you record them your family and descendants will appreciate your efforts in the years to come. FFFAA member Virginia Banerjee created her own personal Memory Books, with a book for each surname branch of her family, and included a photo tour to the ancestral home in Ireland. She suggests that you create Memory Books for your family too.
Photographs
Photographs are the most common keepsake that most of us have. Are all of yours identified? If not, please do it! If you aren’t sure about the date and location simply estimate. In many cases you are the only one that can record the identity of the images. Such a tragedy to see photos that no one can identify end up in garage sales, or worse, the trash.
- To write on the back of a photograph, use only soft pencil or special pen designed for photos.
- Place the photo (and its negative if there is one, which may outlast the photo print) in an envelope. Write the identification on the envelope.
- If you plan to mount photos use “photo corners” and an archival-quality album. Do not use tape, “sticky page” albums or glue to mount your photos. These can cause great damage to your photos.
FFFAA Membership
Join the Frisbie Frisbee Family Association. The FFFAA, formed in 1950, is an organization composed of the descendants of Edward Frisbie of Branford, CT, and engaged in the preservation of the lore and history of the Frisbie-Frisbees. Our membership is worldwide, with one great thing in common—the desire to learn about our Frisbie-Frisbee family histories.
Welcome Cousin! If you are not a member yet, we invite you to join us. Let us help you on your journey of family discovery!