Researching Cavendish Families

                                                       Updated August 2018

The following resources have been compiled by the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) to assist those looking for Cavendish, Proctorsville or Black River Valley region ancestors.

CHS Genealogist: Linda Welch, genealogist and historian, has compiled four volumes of Cavendish families. Families included are as follows:

• Volume I, 2^nd Edition: Adams, Baldwin, Coffeen, Dutton, Fletcher, Gilbert, Lowell, Proctor, Russell, Spafford & Wheeler (Available)

• Volume II: Hall, Parker (Abraham, James & Thomas), Pollard, Skinner & Spaulding (Available)

• Volume III: Adams, Blood, Burbank, French, Gammon and Giddings (Available but limited)

• Volume IV: Atherton, Bemis, Heald, and Ordway ((Available at the Museum and Cavendish Library only. Information available in PDF format)

If you would like information, or would like to exchange information you have already compiled on your family, please contact Linda at:

Linda M. Welch.

Email: Lindamfw@charter.net

Home: 603-787-2208

Another resource of information is the pamphlet  “Cemeteries of Cavendish, VT,” which covers 1776-1976. There is often a lot of useful information on old gravestones. Also check Cemeteries of Cavendish Vermont under Find A Grave.

The CHS publications are available for sale, and can also be used at the Society's Museum, open on Sundays from 2-4 pm from  Memorial to Columbus Weekend, other times by appointment. To make an appointment, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

Materials are also available for use at the Cavendish Fletcher Community Library in Proctorsville, during normal library hours. For more information about the library’s schedule, call 802-226-7503 or go to their website. 

The cost of the “Families of Cavendish” is $40 per volume, plus $5 for shipping and handling. Cemeteries of Cavendish costs $4.00 with a $1 for shipping and handling. Checks should be made payable to CHS and sent to PO Box 472, Cavendish, VT 05142.

PLEASE NOTE-The Church of Latter Day Saints has microfilmed all of the town records in the mid 1980s. We recommend checking Family History Centers (see link below) before coming to Cavendish seeking birth, marriage and death certificates. 

VERMONT RESOURCES

• Genealogical Society of Vermont: P. O. Box 14 Randolph, VT 05060-0014   For Cavendish Genealogy 

• Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA)

• The Vermont French-Canadian Genealogical Society

• University of Vermont Library Catalog:  Includes Special Collections of Vermont materials. 

• Bennington Museum Library The Library has an extensive genealogical collection for New England, included vital records, rosters of Revolutionary War Veterans, and county and local histories. There is a fee for genealogical queries. 802-447-1571 

• Vermont in the Civil War

• Vermont Department of Public Records: Includes births, deaths, marriage and divorce records as early as 1760. 802-828-3286, 1078 US Route 2, Montpelier, VT 05633-7601 

• Welch American Genealogical Society (WAGS): 60 Norton Avenue, Poultney, VT 05764-1029  

• New England Historic Genealogical Society: Largest genealogical library in New England 101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116; 617-536-5740 

FREE INTERNET SITES

• Find a Grave 

• Family History Centers: The genealogy project of the Church of Later Day Saints, relevant Cavendish Town Office files have been microfilmed and are available through the Centers. In addition to the Family History Center, there is a website Family Search

• Geneanet 

• Ancient Faces 

• Genealogy In Time Magazine

• Heritage Quest You will need to obtain the password from the Cavendish Library staff.

• US Gen Web Archives 

• Genealogy About.Com 

Please support the Cavendish Historical Society, so that we can continue to preserve our history for future generations. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the address below.

PO Box 472 Cavendish, VT 05142     802-226-7807   margocaulfield@icloud.com