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Civil War
Manuscripts Project
by K. Nolin,
M.L.I.S., Assistant Library Director*
Internet Design and Implementation: Stephen Yearl,
Digital Resource Administrator*
*Ms. Nolin and Mr. Yearl are no longer at The Connecticut Historical Society.
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A-B
|| C || D || E-F || G-H || I-J || K-L || M-N || O-P || Q-R || S-T || U-V || W-X || Y-Z
Index of Names || Index of Regiments || Index by Residence
Library || Questions|| Comments||
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| Introduction |
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This Project is an attempt to
create detailed access to the rich Civil War
manuscript holdings of the Library of The
Connecticut Historical Society. The collections presented herein have been examined
item by item and word for word over a period of
more than four years. The manuscripts card
catalog has been searched extensively for
potential Civil War materials within collections
which were incompletely processed or which were
not subject to modern standards of analytic
cataloging methodology. In addition, we plan to
conduct a manual inventory of all our manuscript holdings in an attempt to detect materials which
might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Corresponding detailed
examinations for many of the collections are being prepared. These collection examinations will
offer complete transcriptions, itemized content
analysis, genealogical or biographical
information, anecdotes, quotations, excerpts,
etc. The result, we hope, will be both a sophisticated research
tool for historians and
scholars as well as an enjoyable resource
for the more casual browser.
Regular updates are scheduled to add new
collections and to refresh or amend those already
available. Multiple indices (by personal name,
residence, regiment, etc.) have been created to
provide a more thorough searching capacity.
Your comments and
suggestions are welcome.
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Explanation
- Names are given as they appear in the
manuscripts, as they appear in cataloging
authority files or as they were recorded in the Record
of Service of Connecticut Men in the Army and
Navy of the United States during the War of the
Rebellion (Hartford: Case, Lockwood &
Brainard, 1889)[hereafter cited as Record of
Service]. When the sources differed, the
individual’s own rendering of his or her
name was given.
- An individual’s dates were established, when
possible, by consulting the manuscript
collections themselves which often contain
genealogical or biographical information supplied
by the compiler or the cataloger, or by checking
published and unpublished resources in the
Society’s Library. From time to time census
data was consulted as was the Barbour Index
(pre-1850 vital statistics from Connecticut
towns) and the Hale Headstone Index.
- Residence was established, when possible, by the
individual’s documentary legacy or, when
therein unclear, the Record of Service was
consulted. However, the latter compilation
frequently recorded place of enlistment in lieu
of residence, often without making a written
distinction. When the two sources varied, both
locales were given, with the Record of Service
listing preceding that from the documentary
evidence.
- Record of service and company and regimental
affiliation were taken from the Record of
Service. If an individual’s personal
account was at variance with the official record,
that fact was duly noted.
- Rank represents the highest rank achieved as a
result of the individual’s Civil War service
whether earned during the war or awarded
following the individual’s term of service.
The Record of Service was the standard
source consulted.
- Composition, size and inclusive dates of the
collection may reflect Civil War-era content
only. When material dated 1861-1865 formed only a
part of a larger whole, that fact was noted.
- Following each entry is the call number for the
collection. This number is unique to the
collection and it is important that all questions
pertaining to these materials contain this
identification number. Please note Restrictions.
- Each citation entry is prefixed with a small image to indicate
which branch of the military a person belonged. These images are:
 Infantry Artillery Cavalry Navy
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Questions |
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The Library staff of The
Connecticut Historical Society is able to provide
limited assistance by telephone (860-236-5621,
ext. 230), e-mail or correspondence. Patrons
interested in our collections are invited to
visit us at One Elizabeth Street, Hartford, CT
06105. When a personal visit is not feasible, the
Library will provide a list of free-lance
researchers who are familiar with our
collections. The Library is open to the public
Tuesday-Friday, noon to 5:00 PM, and Satuday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are
closed Sundays and Mondays. All inquiries
should be directed to Public Services staff.
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Restrictions
- Materials may not be published or
reproduced without the written permission of The
Connecticut Historical Society. Direct
inquiries to the Public Services staff. When
citing the work presented herein
please credit: K. Nolin,
Civil War Manuscripts Project, The Connecticut
Historical Society.
- The Library has carefully controlled handling
requirements for its manuscripts. For instance, bound
manuscripts (diaries, account books, letter
books, scrapbooks, etc.) may not be
photocopied. Direct all inquiries to
Public Services staff.
- Some donors have imposed restrictions on
collections deposited in the Library of The
Connecticut Historical Society. In other
instances, title to the original material is
unclear. Collections marked as “Restricted” indicate such
materials. These manuscripts may be consulted in
the Library of the CHS.
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Acknowledgements
- Ruth M. Blair, Manuscripts Cataloger,
upon whose work this work so solidly rests.
- Marick Douglas Gibson, Project Volunteer
since 1995.
- Jill
Padelford for initial assistance with the first online guide.
- Thank you to Aetna Volunteers! for
providing grant money to encourage this project.
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