This section lists the societies of Vermont, giving details about each one and what resources and publications they offer.
Statewide and Regional Societies
County and other Societies
Statewide and Regional Societies
Vermont Genealogical Society
The association was established in 1971.
Its aim is to help people researching their ancestry, especially in the State. You do not need to live in the area to become a member of the association.
Numerous publications are sold by the society, which incorporate Vermont Families 1791, Sudbury Genealogies, Probate Indexes, Vital Records and Census Records.
Publications available for sale also incorporate:
- Bibliography for Vermont Genealogy
- Declarations of Aliens in Lower Canada 1794-1811
- Genealogies
- Index to Branches and Twigs 1972-1995
- Name Changes 1778-1900
- Vital Records
- Windsor Co. Probate Index 1778-1899
Website:
http://www.genealogyvermont.org
Vermont Historical Society
Many archives are accessible at The Leahy Library which comprise:
- Cemetery Transcripts
- Genealogical Reference Books
- Genealogies
- Town Histories
- Vital Records
It is also possible to search these archives using their on-line catalogue.
Links to many resources are available, which comprise:
- Civil War Officers Gallery
- Civil War Research Sources
- Civil War Transcriptions
- Green Mountain Chronicles Radio Shows
- Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
On-line resources also incorporate Manuscript Transcriptions, which include:
- Erastus P Williams Diaries 1830-1843
- James and Julia Hope Letters 1854-1874
- Recollections of the 1927 Flood in Montpelier
- Stephen O Lane Letter 1860
Website:
http://www.vermonthistory.org
County and other Societies
Bennington Historical Society – Bennington Museum
Many resources can be accessed in their Library, which incorporate:
- Biographical Information regarding Vermont and New England Families
- Books and Manuscripts
- Deeds
- Family Papers
- Harwood Diaries 1805-1837
- Land Records
- Newspaper Clippings
- Newspapers
- Paintings
- Photographs
- School Census Records
- Tax Records
- Town Histories
- Vital Records
It is also possible to search their collection using their online catalogue. Photographs of some pieces in their collection are accessible on their site.
Website:
http://www.benningtonmuseum.org
Cambridge Historical Society
The aim of the association is to study and preserve the history of Cambridge.
Cemetery Indexes for Cloverdale, East Cambridge, Gates, Hopkins, Jeffersonville, Mountain View, Smilie and South Cambridge Cemeteries are available.
Website:
http://cambridgehistoricalsociety.org
Dorset Historical Society
Many archives can be accessed in their Museum, which include:
- Books
- Manuscripts
- Maps
- Other Archives
- Photographs
- Postcards
Reverend Parsons S Pratt recorded the genealogies of local people and these are available at the Museum.
Numerous publications are sold by the society, which incorporate:
- 1856 and 1869 Maps of Dorset Township
- Dorset History Time Line
- Dorset Village Map
- Dorset’s Charter
Website:
http://www.dorsetvthistory.org
East Montpelier Historical Society
Many resources are held by the society, these being stored in East Montpelier Town Office’s vault. These include Letters, Diaries, Photographs and other Historical Objects.
Some publications are sold by the society, which include:
- Across the Onion – Ellen Hill and Lynne Blackwell
- Ancient Cemeteries – From 1794 – Ellen Hill and Bob and Lois Webster
- Because We Were Needed – David A. Coburn
- Coburn Covered Bridge: Born of a Farmer’s Opportunity – David A. Coburn
- Fairmont Flying Service – David A. Coburn
- Hero of the Battle of Spotsylvania – William W. Noyes
- Early Friends of East Montpelier: The Quakers who settled East Montpelier Village – Margery S. Walker
- North Montpelier Woolen Mills – David A. Coburn
- Photo Tour Through the Cemeteries of East Montpelier and Calais
- Reminiscences of North Montpelier – Aunt Ruth Butterfield
- Revolutionary War Soldiers – Ellen Hill
Website:
http://www.eastmontpelierhistoricalsociety.org
Hartland Historical Society
Hartland Historical Society was established in 1916 when Damon Hill was used as a meeting place for a group of local historians who drew up a constitution which stipulated that the association should be known as Hartland Historical Society. Its objective is to collect and preserve any item relating to the history of Hartland, Vermont.
A list of Cemeteries and their Locations is accessible, along with Indexes of Gravestone Photographs and Inscriptions. These Cemeteries include:
- Aldrich-Kendall
- Centre
- Cutts-Paddleford
- Densmore Hill
- Frizzell
- Gallup-Dunbar
- Gallup-Weed Road
- Gill
- Hartland Village
- Jenneville
- Other
- Plains
- Quaker-Willard
- Trask
- Unidentified
- Walker
- Weed
A list of genealogies is also available, but this has been compiled from secondary sources and from internet research only. No research of original records has been undertaken.
Website:
http://hartlandhistory.org/
Jericho Historical Society
The association was established in 1972 and its aim is to preserve the history of Jericho. Their headquarters is in the historic Chittenden Mills, which is a national historic site.
Many Photographs from their Archives are available, along with information about The ‘Old Red Mill’.
Website:
http://www.jerichohistoricalsociety.org
Poultney Historical Society
The association was established in 1935 and its aim is to preserve the history of the town of Poultney.
Many archives are available in their Library, which incorporate:
- Cemetery Inscriptions
- Cemetery Listings
- Census Returns
- Church Registers
- Genealogies
- Marriages
- Photographs
- Poultney History
- The Poultney Journal 1880-1925
- Rutland Co. Probate Extracts 1781-1814
Please note some years of the Journal are unavailable.
Information regarding Cemeteries, Churches and Public Buildings is also accessible.
Website:
http://www.poultneyhistoricalsociety.org
Shoreham Historical Society
The aims of the society are to preserve the history of Shoreham, Vermont by gathering artefacts relating to Shoreham and teaching others about its history.
Some Databases and Indexes are accessible, which include The Town Charter, 1790 Census of Shoreham and a Map of the Town.
A list of Cemeteries is also available, along with Gravestone Inscriptions.
Some publications are available for sale, which incorporate:
- Genealogical Register of the Early Families of Shoreham
- Historic Architecture of Addison Co.
- Shoreham – The Town and its People
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/ShorehamHistoricalSociety/info?tab=overview
Thetford Historical Society
The association was established in 1943 by people who showed an interest in local history.
Many archives are available in their Library, which comprise:
- Baptisms
- Correspondence and Records of Local Families
- Deaths
- Diaries
- District School Registers
- Early Dictionaries
- History of Thetford, Vermont and New England
- Ledgers of Local Stores and Artisans
- Manuscript Collections
- Maps
- Marriages
- Pamphlets
- Photographs
- Schoolbooks
- Town Histories
Genealogical Information is held in a four-drawer cabinet, index by surname. This work was compiled by Mary B Slade.
Copies of Vital Records, Baptism and Marriage Records and 1790-1880 Census Returns for Thetford are also held by the society. A list of Surnames mentioned in these files is on the site.
Website:
Windham County Historical Society
Many resources can be accessed in their Archives, which incorporate:
- Cemetery Transcripts
- Church Registers
- Compilations of Birth, Marriage and Death Notices
- Genealogies
- Maps
- School District Registers
- Town Histories
- Town Records
Website:
http://www.historicalsocietyofwindhamcounty.org
Woodstock Historical Society – Woodstock History Centre
A Cemetery Index is accessible, which covers the cemeteries of:
- Curtis
- Cushing
- Fullerton
- Handy
- Highland
- Methodist
- Randall
- Ransom
- Shaw
- Smith
- Taftsville
- Walker
Many archives are available at the John Cotton Dana Library and Research Archive, which include:
- Diaries
- Ephemera
- Historical Photographs
- Land Records
- Letters
- Maps
- Newspapers
The association is an official Family Search site so it is possible to order LDS Films and view them in the Centre.