Local History

Local History header image: black and white historical image of old house

Vital Records

Vital records like birth, marriage, and death certificates may be accessed at Darien Town Hall. You need to be a member of a Connecticut genealogy society to access vital records at town and city records within the state. Probate and Land Records are also available in the Town Clerk's office.

Local genealogy societies include Middlesex Genealogical Society and Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc. View the complete list of authorized societies. Membership in one of them will grant you access to many towns' archives.

General Resources

Visit the Darien USGenWeb Project page. It includes listings on where to find local historical records, cemeteries, libraries, historical societies, historical information, newspapers, churches, old photos, census records, and books about Darien.

Educational programs and exhibits may be seen at the Museum of Darien.

Nearby Libraries

Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown is a major repository of Connecticut genealogical materials and individual family histories. 

Newspapers

Look up historical local news using the microfilm machines located on the Second Level. Newspaper archives available at Darien Library:

  • Darien News-Review 1989 - 2004
  • Darien News 1973 - 1989
  • Darien Review 1902 - 1989
  • Darien Times 1993 - 2010