Local History
The NHFPL Local History Room is dedicated to promoting an awareness of the history and cultural diversity of New Haven and to relate that rich history to the present. Our knowledgeable staff provides assistance in the use of the collection, collection development, referrals to other sources of New Haven information and active educational programs for customers and other professionals.
local history resources
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Ask a Local History Librarian
Have a question about New Haven History? We will be happy to answer your question or direct you to the resources that will best help you find the answer.
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Access Digital Collections
Includes photos, postcards, and more, focusing on New Haven and Connecticut.
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Municipal Documents Collection Guide
Publications produced by various city departments, such as annual reports, financial statements, proposals, etc.
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Neighborhood Research
A starting point for research, which includes resources from several collections.
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Shubert Theatre Program Collection Guide
The Shubert Theatre Program Collection consists of approximately 300 programs from 1917 to 1976.
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FamilySearch
The NHFPL is a FamilySearch Affiliate. Collections are not available remotely. Please come to one of our library locations to use FamilySearch Affiliate resources. Each user will need to create a (free) personal account with FamilySearch to use it.
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Maps
A collection of maps predominantly depicting greater New Haven and Connecticut, and primarily dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.
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Accessing New Haven Land Records
This is a short, instructional video regarding accessing land records through The Family Search Affiliate Collection. It was presented by Bryna O'Sullivan
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New Haven Memory Lab - COMING SOON!
The New Haven Memory Lab is a joint project of the New Haven Free Public Library and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. It is provided as part of the Beinecke’s New Haven Community Archives Support program, which supports New Haveners in preserving their own personal, family, and organization archives.
Access Newspaper Archives
Click on the drop downs below for more information on our newspaper, microfilm, and obituary search services.
The microfilm collection is available during all hours of library operation, on the first floor of the Ives building at 133 Elm Street. It is located directly behind the Information desk; ask there for the reels you need. Staff will help you set up the reels and show you how to use the reader/printer.
Microfilm holdings
New Haven Advocate (weekly): 1977-1998
New Haven Daily Palladium: 1843-1856; 1861; May 1866-1904
New Haven Independent (weekly): Sep 1986 to Feb 1990 (ceased publication in 1990)
New Haven Journal-Courier: 1964 to March 1987
New Haven Register: Jan. 3, 1871-2019
New Haven Weekly Palladium: 1870-1895; July 2 1899-September 1904
An extensive collection of newspaper clippings and pamphlets from the 1930’s through the 1980s.
Download the Collection Guide for the New Haven Files
Download the Collection Guide for the CT Files
The fee schedule is based on where you live (for each date, range of dates, or death date searched):
New Haven residents: $10 plus $0.50 per copy
Non-New Haven residents: $20 plus $0.50 per copy
We email copies of located materials, unless you specify that you would like it sent through postal mail.
An alternative to our service is to order the microfilm of this paper through interlibrary loan (from the Connecticut State Library) at your local library. This would be free of charge.
Obituary Searches
We will search up to five days of the New Haven Register for up to three individuals at a time.
Obituary and Death Notice Search Form
We aim for a turnaround of 1-2 weeks for this service. If you need it faster, we will make every effort to complete it and transmit it to you by your deadline; however, due to staffing fluctuations, we can make no guarantees about when results will be received.
"*" indicates required fields
For any questions about these services, send an e-mail to [email protected] or call us at 203.946.8130.
The fee schedule is based on where you live (for each date, range of dates, or death date searched):
New Haven residents: $10 plus $0.50 per copy
Non-New Haven residents: $20 plus $0.50 per copy
We email copies of located materials, unless you specify that you would like it sent through postal mail.
An alternative to our service is to order the microfilm of this paper through interlibrary loan (from the Connecticut State Library) at your local library. This would be free of charge.
Newspaper Article Searches
Our service covers a five-day search of the New Haven Register microfilm. We need the following information to proceed with a newspaper article search:
- One of the following:
- The date the article appeared, OR;
- The date the event occurred, OR;
- The five day span that you want searched
- The subject of the article or the headline (if known)
- Any other relevant information that will help us find your item (i.e., do you need reviews? ads only?)
- Your phone number
- Your mailing address
- Your method of payment (credit/debit card vs. check/money order. Do not e-mail your credit card information–our Business Office will call you for this information when the search is complete)
Newspaper Item Request Form
We aim for a turnaround of 1-2 weeks for this service. If you need it faster, we will make every effort to complete it and transmit it to you by your deadline; however, due to staffing fluctuations, we can make no guarantees about when results will be received.
For any questions about these services, send an e-mail to [email protected] or call us at 203.946.8130.
Hours, Phone & Address
The Local History Room is in the Ives Main Library at 133 Elm Street.
5:30 - 8pm
closed
10am - 1pm
closed
2pm - 5pm
10am - 1pm
If you have any questions during open hours, please call 203 946-7430. Outside open hours, please call 203 946-8130 ext. 101.