(This page's most recent update is
July 2024)
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Institutional records are another class of collections that should be part of one’s genealogy research repertoire. Although most of your ancestors may not have spent time in an institution, I’ll bet that almost every family tree has several that have. So they are worth your effort to research.
Here are a few good primers for searching institutional records:
- FamilySearch – Institution and School Records
- Finding Your Ancestors in Poor House or Poor Farm Records
- Researching Ancestors in Asylums
What kind of institutions and types of records can we discover?
- Poorhouse
- Poor Farm
- Orphanage
- Orphan Train
- Mental Hospital
- Workhouse
- Almshouse
- Institutional School
- Sanitarium
- Asylums
- Correctional institutions
Acquiring records from each of these types of institutions may be difficult because of privacy concerns, but they are worth the effort.
Below you will find free online institutional records you can use to help you discover more about your relatives who have spent time in an institution.
Note: Some of the links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.
Connecticut Free Online Institutional Records
- Connecticut, Connecticut State Prison, 1930 Index of Prisoners Surnames A – K
- Connecticut, Connecticut State Prison, 1930 Index of Prisoners Surnames K – Z
- Connecticut, Wethersfield Prison Records
- Connecticut, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, Prisoners, Insane, In Hospitals, 1917-1918
- Fairfield County, Alms House Cemetery AKA Poor House Cemetery
- Fairfield County, Fairfield County Jail, 1880 Index of Prisoners
- Fairfield County, Potter’s Field of Stamford AKA Town Farm Cemetery
- Hartford County, Old Newgate Prison Cemetery
- Hartford County, Poor Farm Cemetery
- Hartford County, Poor Farm Cemetery
- Hartford County, Poor House Cemetery
- Hartford County, Wethersfield State Prison Cemetery
- Hartford, American Asylum Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, 1825-1862
- Middlesex County, Industrial School for Girls Cemetery
- New Haven County, Connecticut School for Boys Burial Ground
- New Haven, History and Roster of the United States Army General Hospital No. 16
- New London County, Brewster’s Neck Cemetery AKA Norwich State Hospital Cemetery
- New London County, Montville Almshouse Cemetery
- New London County, Norwich Alms House Cemetery
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!