Connecticut Court Records
Major Connecticut courts that kept records of genealogical value were as follows:1636-1784 General Court (General Assembly after 1637) was the highest state court throughout the colonial era. It handled many criminal and civil cases. After 1750, it relinquished most of its judicial responsibilities. Many of the General Assembly records were published in The Public Records of The Colony of Connecticut (1636-1775).
Although many court records remain in the various court offices, the major repository is the Connecticut State Library.
1630s-1961 Town and Borough Courts had jurisdiction over civil matters in towns. Justice of the peace courts (1686-1961) handled similar matters in areas without a town court. Many of these records are at the Connecticut State Library. These courts were succeeded by circuit courts.
1638-1711 Particular Court was the primary court of jurisdiction for all matters of law, including appeals from town courts. This was succeeded by the Court of Assistants (1665-1711). The published records of this court are in the Public Records of the Colony of Connecticut.
1666-1855 County Courts had jurisdiction over civil disputes and minor criminal cases as well as chancery and divorce matters. From 1855-1870 this court's duties were taken over by the town and justice courts and the Superior Court.
1711-present Superior Court replaced the Court of Assistants and holds countywide sessions as the principal trial court for major civil and criminal cases.
1869-present Courts of Common Pleas replaced county courts and were reorganized in 1975 to include the circuit court.
Check out the following website to read about and share experiences from courthouse research.
http://www.bcpl.net/~dmg/courthouse.htm#Connecticut
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