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Archiver > GenConnecticut > 2003-04 > 1050056537


From: "rasteven" <>
Subject: Re: [GenConnecticut-L] town clerks/BROWN
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2003 06:22:17 -0400
References: <1c0.7e38a9a.2bc65710@aol.com>


It sure is frustrating June. Bridgeport sounds like a nightmare!!! Maybe now
that their corrupt mayor is out of office, things will improve. You might
want to write to the new mayor and let him know about your experience. I
don't know what his name is--but Mayor of Bridgeport should do it! New
Haven sounds like a nightmare too!!! You are right--the small towns usually
are so much nicer and more helpful. What a shame for you to travel so far
and have so little time in the places you needed to visit. I did find out
the CT State Dept of Vital Records can now be viewed in person--but only on
Tues and Thurs--and only by appt! Sure--I only have Weds off!!!

I do belong to the CT Society of Genealogists so that is no problem for me.
No one has asked for a photo ID---- yet!

Yes, local historical societies have been wonderful. Rocky Hill opened their
facility on a winter Saturday for me, turned up the heat and helped me find
things that would be helpful to me. I was very grateful and put a donation
in their box as well as dropping them a note to thank them for their help.

Browns---GRRRRHHHH!!!! it is so frustrating to have photos of them and
still not know much about them. wish I had some browns in Bridgeport so we
could share info!

Barb
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2003 1:11 AM
Subject: [GenConnecticut-L] town clerks/BROWN


>
> Hi Pat & Barb,
> I know first hand exactly what you are talking about. Their story is
they
> don't have time and, in the case of New Haven will make the supreme
sacrifice
> and grant you 2 1/2 hrs. once a week in a very small cubicle with 25 other
> people. I live in Florida and all my ancestors were from CT. The last
time
> I went up there I complained about having to travel 1500 mi. because they
> couldn't sent me a certificate. "They are very busy and don't have the
> time." Bridgeport offers you the same. So, in the 2 weeks that I was
there
> I had about 10 hrs. to hunt for certificates. The big cities are the very
> worst. Bridgeport takes anywhere from 10 mos. to a year to finally send
you
> a "no record" response. The small towns are usually fantastic. I have
> received responses from Wallingford in less than a week. Cheshire went
above
> and beyond to look for a marriage record and then sent me a copy of a
ledger
> page that it was recorded on and a refund of $4. Bridgeport, on the other
> hand, after nearly a year of waiting, sent me a current marriage cert.,
with
> a line printed on the form for social security number and typed on it only
> the information I had sent them in my request. i.e. bride & grooms names
and
> date of marriage. No ages, birth dates, parents, etc. I had requested a
> photo copy. They also included a list of names of local researchers.
> You have to belong to a CT Genealogy Society and, for birth
certificates,
> you also have to send a photo I.D. I guess that's so if I decide to
assume
> my g-grandfather's identity, they will remember what I look like. They
don't
> keep these on file and either throw them away or return them with their
"no
> record" letter.
> I have found the historical societies to be the most useful. You can't
> get VR's from them but they are extremely cooperative and helpful with
> information and suggestions in a very timely manner.
> BTW Barb, I am also looking for Browns (in Bridgeport!) and getting
> nowhere. Browns are very frustrating, aren't they?
>
> June
>


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