Page 7 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 56 Autumn 2025

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of
Wallingford: 1885-1965. Maps the
central part of town (both East and
West of Colony), including buildings
and houses. These are also online.

GENERAL LIBRARY MATERIALS
Once your journey through time begins,
you will probably become passionate
about the search, relishing every clue,
story and dusty scrap you encounter so
that, even after digging up all you can
find on your house, you may decide
to expand your research and discover
what the town of Wallingford was like
when your house was built, or during
the ensuing decades. The following land transactions and permits that can
sources may prove helpful: be consulted to create a chain of prop-
erty ownership, beginning with the
The History of Wallingford, Con- current owner and, hopefully, work-
necticut, from its Settlement in 1670 ing back to the original owner of your
to the Present Time, by Charles house. These records can include spe-
Henry Davis. 1870. cific information about the buildings on
the property and neighboring families
From These Roots: A Bicentennial and date back centuries! If you are suc-
History of a New England Town. cessful in eventually compiling a list of
Wallingford Bicentennial Commis- the previous owners’ names and dates,
sion, 1976. Whitney Library located in the you can then begin the search for infor-
Jubilee 300: an Historical Book New Haven Museum (daily use fee mation about these people, thus flesh-
Commemorating the Tercentennial required) ing out the bare bones of documenta-
Anniversary of Wallingford, Con- Godfrey Memorial Library tion. While you’re at the Town Clerk’s
necticut 1670-1970. in Middletown (daily use fee office you can inspect the Vital Records
Souvenir History of Wallingford, required) volumes which contain information on
births, deaths, and marriages to see if
Connecticut, 1895. Compiled by C.B. Connecticut State Library they contain listings for families you are
Gillespie. The Journal Publishing in Hartford researching.
Company, Meriden.

Wallingford Historic District: Study Wallingford Historical Online Sources
Committee Report, April 1990. Societies During Covid lockdown I relied almost
entirely on online resources to research
WALLINGFORD HISTORIC house and family history; and I still use
Special Libraries in PRESERVATION TRUST & them constantly as they are invaluable.
Connecticut WALLINGFORD HISTORICAL Most of these sources are subscription
based with a range of fees; but they
SOCIETY
Connecticut is endowed with a rich li- These organizations are not set up for can also be accessed for free if you are
brary culture. There are many public the public to browse like a library, but a Wallingford Public Library cardholder
libraries, archives, historical societies, they can be contacted to determine if (most require you use them in person
and a few special libraries with collec- they might possess useful information at the Library). These online databases
tions focusing on Connecticut history for your research in their collections. allow you to search by name, address,
and genealogy. I’ve used all of the fol- and subject to locate articles that pro-
lowing wonderful libraries and found vide precious information about a
lots of information about Wallingford Town Hall Sources house or family. As you acquire more
history. The Wallingford Town Clerk’s Office,
Building Department, and Tax Asses- information and develop your skills, you
sor’s Office contain information about can expand your search.

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