The Godfrey Library is an independent, non-profit organization specializing in genealogy, family history and local history. It is membership-based, and anyone with an interest can join. Our spacious comfortable library is located in Middletown (CT). It houses a large physical collection of books, family histories, and other records, as well as an extensive digital collection available online. While on site, visitors can access our physical and digital collections, plus the Library Editions of Ancestry and MyHeritage, as well as the suite of databases on American Ancestors.

The library is also open to the public (as guests) for a day user fee. There is no user fee for those wishing access only to the FamilySearch website.

The library was incorporated in 1947 and first opened its doors in May 1951. The library was founded by A. Fremont Rider, a well-known publisher, author, inventor, genealogist, and the chief librarian of Wesleyan University’s Olin Library, here in Middletown (CT). Mr. Rider amassed a collection of more than 800 books specific to biography, history, and genealogy. His collection comprised the initial holdings of the Godfrey Memorial Library, named in honor of Mr. Rider’s first wife, Grace Godfrey, and his brother-in-law, Brig. Gen. Stuart Chapin Godfrey. Click on the link to read more about the important milestones in our history.

The library is governed by a Board of Trustees. Board members are appointed for a three-year term. Click on the link to read the biographies of our current board members and executive staff.

The library relies on a cadre of volunteers to provide various types of operational support. To see what they do, click on the link to see the available volunteer opportunies.

The day-to-day administration of the library is the responsibility of the Library Director. The director is assisted by a number of part-time employees whose duties include staffing the front desk, helping with research requests, maintaining the library’s IT infrastructure, cataloguing, bookkeeping, and other activities.