Connecticut Research and Travel Guide

Researching in…

Durham? 

Places to Eat:

1. Perk on Main, 6 Main St., Durham (http://perkonmain.com/): A coffee shop, Perk on Main is favorite stop for coffee drinks.
2.  Time Out Taverne, 100 New Haven Road, Durham (http://timeouttaverne.com/): A pub/restaurant, Time Out Taverne is a site for lunch and dinner. 

Places to Research:

1. Town Clerk, Durham (http://www.townofdurhamct.org/content/28562/27556/27777/default.aspx), 30 Townhouse Road, Durham: In Connecticut, vital records are stored at the town level. The town clerk will also hold copies of land records. 
2. Durham Public Library (http://www.durhamlibrary.org/), 7 Maple Ave, Durham: The Durham Public Library has a small local history collection. The reference books of that section are especially helpful in contextualizing an ancestor's life. 
3. Durham Historical Society (http://www.durhamhistoricalsociety.net/), Townhouse Road, Durham: Although it does not have an established research library, the Durham Historical Society has information on a variety of local subjects. Contact the DHS before visiting if you're looking for specific information. 
4.  Two town cemeteries: The newer cemetery is behind the town hall, while the older is further up Main Street, towards Middletown.

Places to Stay:

No options. You may want to head to Middletown – or if you’re on vacation, head for the shoreline. Accommodations will be nicer.

Middlefield? 


Places to Stay:

1. No options. You may want to head to Middletown – or if you’re on vacation, head for the shoreline. Accommodations will be nicer.

Places to Eat:

1.      DaVinci Pizza, 149 Main St., Middlefield (http://www.davincict.com/ ): DaVinci has very good pizza, but the dining room gets very cold in the winter. I’d recommend take-out.
2.       I haven’t tried most of the other places in Middlefield.

Places to Research: 

1.  Levi E. Coe Library, 414 Main Street, Middlefield (http://www.leviecoe.com/Main/Home.html): The Coe Library has a small local history collection. While this shouldn't be your first stop, the library's collection can help you fill in gaps in your research. 
2. Town Clerk, Main Street, Middlefield (http://www.middlefieldct.org): Town records begin in 1866. Before that, you'll need to access vital records at city hall in Middletown. Probate records are also held in Middletown.
3. Middlefield Historical Society, 405 Main Street, Middlefield (http://www.manta.com/c/mm4p327/middlefield-historical-society) is probably your best resource for town history. Write well in advance of your visit. Members can be hard to reach.
4. Two cemeteries: Old North Burying Ground is on Jackson Hill Road; Middlefield Cemetery is on Main Street.

Middletown? 

Places to Eat:

 Breakfast:

1)      Dunkin Donuts, 170 Main St., Middletown: 5 am to 10 pm. Probably your best option for low-cost and quick meals.
2)      Brew Bakers (http://www.mybrewbakers.com/) 169 Main St., Middletown: One of my favorite in-town places for breakfast, Brew Bakers has great bagels.

 Places to Stay:

1)      The Inn at Middletown (http://www.innatmiddletown.com/): Built using parts of the town’s historic armory, the Inn at Middletown is situated on Main Street. It hosts a restaurant and bar, giving you in-house meal option. It’s probably your most central option for town research – plus, from what I’ve heard, it may make a nice vacation spot.