About Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut
History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield
is a two-volume work created by Donald Lines
Jacobus in the early 1930’s. This work contains over 46,000 names of early Connecticut settlers
and their descendents.
From the Introduction to Volume 1:
“The families are arranged in alphabetical order. Each family begins (wherever possible) with the first
settler. His sons who are carried forward as heads of families are designated thus: +. Families are
brought down in this volume at least to 1700, but the last generation included is given completely, so
that on some lines the families are brought down to 1720 or considerably later. Individuals who will be
carried to the second volume as heads of families are designated thus: X.
The public services of each individual are listed immediately after his name, before the genealogical
statistics are given. Dates following military titles are those of appointment. The date of each session at
which a Deputy served is stated.
Those who use the book are asked to remember that there are scarcely any vital records for the period
before 1700, and that the extant church records do not begin until 1694. In consequence, the probate
and land records constitute our chief sources of information. The earlier probate records are not in
existence, and the first volume is so damaged as to be partly indecipherable. The earlier land records
are mere entries of grants and sales, not copies of the deeds, and hence do not contain as much
genealogical information as those of a slightly later date. In consequence of all this, the early generations
of the Fairfield families are more difficult than are those of almost any other ancient town in the state.
Much depends upon the trained judgment of the compiler and his ability to interpret correctly the significance
of such records as are available. I have not hesitated to overwork the useful words, ‘perhaps,’ ‘possibly,’ and
‘probably,’ especially the last. Some relationships, while not susceptible of legal proof, I consider genealogically
proved by strong circumstantial or collateral evidence, and have stated as facts, but where there has been the
slightest doubt regarding the conclusions reached, I have felt that the only honest thing to do was to qualify with
a ‘probably.’ ”
This database contains 46,034 names. Images of the original pages may be viewed from the search
results page.
This reprint versions of these volumes are also available in our Boston research library,
call number F104.F2 J17 1976. v.1-2
Jacobus in the early 1930’s. This work contains over 46,000 names of early Connecticut settlers
and their descendents.
From the Introduction to Volume 1:
“The families are arranged in alphabetical order. Each family begins (wherever possible) with the first
settler. His sons who are carried forward as heads of families are designated thus: +. Families are
brought down in this volume at least to 1700, but the last generation included is given completely, so
that on some lines the families are brought down to 1720 or considerably later. Individuals who will be
carried to the second volume as heads of families are designated thus: X.
The public services of each individual are listed immediately after his name, before the genealogical
statistics are given. Dates following military titles are those of appointment. The date of each session at
which a Deputy served is stated.
Those who use the book are asked to remember that there are scarcely any vital records for the period
before 1700, and that the extant church records do not begin until 1694. In consequence, the probate
and land records constitute our chief sources of information. The earlier probate records are not in
existence, and the first volume is so damaged as to be partly indecipherable. The earlier land records
are mere entries of grants and sales, not copies of the deeds, and hence do not contain as much
genealogical information as those of a slightly later date. In consequence of all this, the early generations
of the Fairfield families are more difficult than are those of almost any other ancient town in the state.
Much depends upon the trained judgment of the compiler and his ability to interpret correctly the significance
of such records as are available. I have not hesitated to overwork the useful words, ‘perhaps,’ ‘possibly,’ and
‘probably,’ especially the last. Some relationships, while not susceptible of legal proof, I consider genealogically
proved by strong circumstantial or collateral evidence, and have stated as facts, but where there has been the
slightest doubt regarding the conclusions reached, I have felt that the only honest thing to do was to qualify with
a ‘probably.’ ”
This database contains 46,034 names. Images of the original pages may be viewed from the search
results page.
This reprint versions of these volumes are also available in our Boston research library,
call number F104.F2 J17 1976. v.1-2
Families of Old Fairfield, Connecticut. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic
Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield.
Compiled and edited by Donald Lines Jacobus. 2 vols. New Haven: The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company,
1930-1932.
Genealogical Society, 2008.) Originally published as History and Genealogy of the Families of Old Fairfield.
Compiled and edited by Donald Lines Jacobus. 2 vols. New Haven: The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company,
1930-1932.
