Connecticut Irish-American Historical Society

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 185833, Hamden, Connecticut 06518 (US)

Physical Address:
The Ethnic Heritage Center, 270 Fitch Street, New Haven, CT 06515 (US)

Primary Phone: (203) 392-6126    Alternate Phone:     Fax: (203) 392-5140

Contact Person: Maureen Delahunt   (Email: mmdelahunt@aol.com)

Web Address:
  http://www.ctiahs.com/

Description of Organization:
Founded and incorporated in 1988, we have more than 300 members. Through a varied program of activities, we seek to collect, share and pass along to others the rich, 350 year history and heritage of the Irish people of Connecticut.

WHAT WE DO: NEWSLETTER - We publish a quarterly newsletter, The Shanachie, for members. The Shanachie, which means "storyteller" in Irish, contains articles about the history of Connecticut's Irish, genealogical ideas and tips, and notices of our activities.

GENEALOGY GROUP - Our genealogy group is designed to give members who are interested in family history opportunities to exchange ideas, to learn from experts in the field and to make field trips. We sponsor family history workshops focusing on such topics as using census records, vital statistics, church records, military records, research here and in Ireland, computer programs and Internet information.

LIBRARY-ARCHIVES - We maintain archival collections and a library of books about Irish history, culture and genealogy at the Ethnic Heritage Center at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. The library contains many aids for historical and genealogical research, such as a set of old New Haven city directories, New Haven school records, personal interest collections and family histories that have been donated to us by Irish people throughout Connecticut.

EDUCATION - We present programs on Irish history, culture and music for schools, nursing homes, civic organizations, etc.,and annually place displays about Ireland and Irish-Americans in New Haven area libraries during March.

FESTIVALS - We participate in Irish Festivals throughout the State of Connecticut with programs and exhibits.

ORAL HISTORY - We interview and record on tape the recollections of senior citizens in the state's Irish community.

MICROFILM PRESERVATION - We have begun a program to microfilm the records of some of Connecticut's earliest Irish Catholic parishes.

IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH - We obtain Proclamations from the Connecticut State Governor and from area mayors declaring March as "Irish-American Heritage Month".

CEREMONIES - We collaborate with other Irish orgnizations to sponsor the raising of the Irish Tricolor on the New Haven Green each April in commemoration of the Easter Rebellion of 1916 in Dublin. Each November we sponsor a wreath-laying at the monument in New Haven to honor Connecticut's Irish regiment in the Civil War, the Ninth Volunteers. The regiment served in the capture of New Orleans, in the 1862 campaign at Vicksburg and in the Shenandoah Valley under General Philip Sheridan in 1864.

Membership Details:
If you share our interests, we invite you to join us. Just follow the instructions listed on our web site, fill-out, and print your Membership Application Form. Annual dues are $10 for individual memberships and $15 for family memberships. If you would like to learn more about us and the benefits of membership before you make your decision, please visit our web site.

Meeting Details:
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Year Established: 1988         Approximate Number of Members: 300