5 Replies Latest reply on Apr 7, 2016 8:33 PM by Sarah Swanson

Revolutionary genealogy

Leah W Jan 21, 2016 1:11 AM

There are many records available online for Revolutionary ancestors, especially American soldiers. But I am wondering if there are are records in US archives (online or not) which might mention those who left to settle in Canada? (Specifically from Connecticut).

My ancestors went to Canada from Connecticut c. 1789, not as soldier but as settlers.

I have a number of items from Canadian archives. While the patriarch petitioned for and received land when he arrived, describing himself as a man who "has always been attached to the British Gov’t” , he was later "expunged" from the Loyalist list. From a letter to the Land Board, he appears to have travelled with or been associated with some men, two of which are mentioned in the ‘Sketches and Chronicles of the town of Litchfield Connecticut’, having been assessed in 1782 for sons “gone to the enemy”. Another name in this letter was described in the book as someone who “took off to join the ministerial army” and a further man appears to have returned to Connecticut and supported the formation of an Episcopalian society in 1797.

Many thanks!

Re: Revolutionary genealogy

Thomas Richardson Jan 29, 2016 2:37 PM (in response to Leah W)

Hello Leah!

Thank you for submitting your question on the History Hub! We are working diligently to provide you with a comprehensive answer that will help you with your research process.

Thank you for using the History Hub website during your research!

-Thomas
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Re: Revolutionary genealogy

Thomas Richardson Feb 18, 2016 12:09 PM (in response to Leah W)

Hello again Leah,

Thank you for your patience as we work to find some resources for you to use! Some of the materials that you are looking can most likely be found in local archives in the New England region; they contain extensive collection relating to the Revolutionary War. Universities such as Yale and Harvard retain large special collections from this time period. In your case, here are some collections to start out with:

Yale University has an American Revolution collection that includes military and logistical information on troops from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, such as payroll, receipts, addresses, and commission papers.

Yale Finding Aid Database : Guide to the American Revolutionary War Collection

The Special Collections at Colonial Williamsburg has documents and accounts from Charles Joseph de Losse de Bayac that focus on the early years of the Revolutionary War. This includes American operations in Canada.

ArchiveGrid : History and journal of Charles Joseph de Losse de Bayac [microform] : papers, 1763-1783.

The University of Michigan holds a collection from Charles Grant vicomte de Vaux, who supported the Revolutionary War and eventually relocated to Canada himself, along with other soldiers.

Charles Grant, vicomte de Vaux papers 1756-1805

The Massachusetts and Connecticut Historical Societies both have large collections on the American Revolution, some of which include American operations in Canada and information on American soldiers following the war.

http://chs.org/
Celebrating the 225th Anniversary of the Massachusetts Historical Society

We hope this information assists you with your research. Thank you for using the History Hub!
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- Re: Revolutionary genealogy
  
  Kathleen Williams Feb 18, 2016 2:45 PM (in response to Thomas Richardson)
  
  Dear Leah,
  
  I would just add a couple of leads to those that Thomas Richardson has mentioned. Apologies if you already have searched these! You can try the Connecticut State Archives/Library for possible content that addresses your interests. Try browsing through the finding aids to these holdings at www.library.org/state-archives-finding-aids/ with a particular focus on the Colonial and Revolutionary War periods (RG 001 seems to contain the earliest government records for the colony/state). You might also try the Connecticut Archives Online website located at library.wcsu.edu/cao - a neat resource because you can search across multipl CT based archives as the same time.
  
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  - Re: Revolutionary genealogy
    
    Leah W Feb 26, 2016 6:42 AM (in response to Kathleen Williams)
    
    Many thanks! All new resources for me, lots of reading to do!
    
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Re: Revolutionary genealogy

Sarah Swanson Apr 7, 2016 8:33 PM (in response to Leah W)

You could also check with the New England Historic Genealogical Society. This week, until April 13th, they are allowing free searches of all their databases. AmericanAncestors.org
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