The Godfrey Memorial Library,
incorporated in 1947, first opened its doors in May 1951. It was founded by A.
Fremont Rider who was a well-known publisher, author, inventor, genealogist,
and librarian. He was, for many years, librarian at Wesleyan's Olin Library.
While in that position, he started putting together the idea for a monumental
index that would help genealogists all over the world in their research. That
was the beginning of the American Genealogical Biographical Index (AGBI) and
the Godfrey Memorial Library.
The AGBI is a 226 volume master index
containing approximately 4 million names from over 800 genealogically related
research books including many records from the Boston Transcript. AGBI is the
largest and most important genealogical reference set ever published.
Presently, Godfrey Library has approximately 200,000 books and
periodicals in its collection including: state and local histories,
international resources, family histories, biographies, records by religious
organizations, church records, funeral records, cemetery records, military
records, maps, etc.
The online Godfrey Scholar Program was implemented
in the fall of 2002 under the direction of former director Nancy Doane. At its
inception there were only two databases for members to search. It has grown
exponentially since that time, now there are thousands.
The library
does not receive funds from any local, state, or federal agency. Our operating
funds primarily come from the sale of memberships to the online Godfrey Scholar
Program and through patron donations. Although it is a privately owned library,
it is free and open to the public six days a week. We are here to be of service
to anyone researching their family history.
Members of the Board of
Trustees are committed to keeping our doors open free of charge and encourage
all who seek to find their ancestors to use the library and its resources.
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