Hello, I have just joined GenConnecticut List to find out how I may research Connecticut records without knowing in which town or county in Connecticut my ancestor lived. Here's my situation. My grandmother, Bridget Finnerty, was born in Ireland in 1871. She was born in the work house, and did not know her real mother. Her husband, my grand father James Riordan of Fitchburg MA, was born in 1866 County Kerry, Ireland and came to Massachusetts in 1888. Bridget arrived a year later. I searched for their marriage record in MA archives, NH, and RI to no avail. These states chosen because James' family lived in MA, and after their marriage, in the 1900 Census, they were both living in Fitchburg MA. Just when I was getting frustrated chasing Bridget's trail, I received some mail from a second cousin who had asked my parents, now deceased, about our family for his research. The mail included a letter which my mother wrote to him in 1981. I was quite happy to see it. In it she described our family, and there it was.... "Bridget Finnerty came from Connecticut." I was amazed, since I was getting frustrated, and my mother's letter arrived and solved my problem. Not quite. I now find from their website that CT archives is not doing searches because they are microfilming documents. I am supposed to go to the town or county in which the event ( 1877 marriage btw. James J. Riordan and Bridget Finnerty) occurred. How can I do this, if I have no idea of what county or town? When will the state begin providing documents? What would be my next step? Thank you for any help you may provide. Tony Riordan triordan@msn.com Peoria AZ