Finding Tolland County Obituary Records
Tolland County obituary records are public documents you can search and obtain through official offices. Tolland County sits in northern Connecticut with about 150,000 residents across 15 towns. The county seat is Tolland. Two towns have large populations: Vernon with over 30,000 people and Mansfield with nearly 28,000. You can access Tolland County death records through the Connecticut State Vital Records Office or through individual Tolland County town clerks. Each town maintains vital records for deaths that occurred within its borders. You can search Tolland County obituary records online, by mail, or in person.
Tolland County Death Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Tolland County Obituary Records
There are two main places to get Tolland County obituary records and Tolland County death certificates. The Connecticut State Vital Records Office in Hartford keeps all death certificates from July 1, 1897 to the present. This office is part of the Connecticut Department of Public Health. You can visit in person, order by mail, or use the online system. The state office serves all of Tolland County. Their records cover deaths in every Tolland County town.
Tolland County town clerks also keep Tolland County obituary records and Tolland County death records. Each of the 15 towns maintains vital records for deaths that occurred in their town. Tolland County town records often go back further than state records. Some town clerks have Tolland County death records from the 1600s and 1700s. You can contact the town clerk where the death took place. They can issue certified copies of Tolland County death certificates just like the state office.
The Connecticut State Library has older Tolland County obituary records. They have the Hale Collection of newspaper death notices from 1750 to 1865. They also have the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records. These are great for genealogy research into Tolland County death records. Visit their website at libguides.ctstatelibrary.org for more info.
Note: Always check the Tolland County town of death before you request records. This will speed up your search for Tolland County obituary records.
Tolland County Obituary Records in Major Towns
Vernon is the largest town in Tolland County. It has over 30,000 residents. The Vernon Town Clerk maintains all Vernon obituary records and Vernon death certificates. You can visit their office to search records. The Vernon Town Clerk is at 14 Park Place, Vernon, CT 06066. You can call them at (860) 870-3662. They keep Vernon death records from the early 1800s to present day. The office can issue certified copies of Vernon death certificates. Walk-in service is often available.
Mansfield is the second largest town in Tolland County. It has nearly 28,000 residents. The Mansfield Town Clerk keeps all Mansfield obituary records and Mansfield death certificates. Their office is at 4 South Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06268. You can reach them at (860) 429-3302. They maintain Mansfield death records for the town and the University of Connecticut area. The office provides same-day service for many requests. You can search Mansfield obituary records in person or by mail.
Other Tolland County towns also keep obituary records. These include Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Ellington, Hebron, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, and Willington. Each town clerk maintains their own Tolland County death records. Contact the specific town where the death occurred. This helps you find Tolland County obituary records faster.
How to Search Tolland County Death Records
Tolland County offers several ways to search for death records and obituary records. The method you choose depends on what you need. Some methods are faster. Others are better for older Tolland County obituary records. You can search from home or visit an office in person.
The Connecticut Death Index is a free online database. It covers deaths from 1897 through 2001. This index has over 2.28 million records. You can search by first name, last name, date, and city. The index gives you basic facts from Tolland County obituary records. It shows the name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death. You can use this info to order a full Tolland County death certificate. Access the index at data.ct.gov.
For Tolland County death records after 2001, contact the state office or the town clerk. The state office has all records from 1897 to present. Town clerks have Tolland County death certificates for their town only. You can also use VitalChek to order online. VitalChek is the only state-approved third-party vendor. They charge extra fees for fast service. Visit vitalchek.com to order Tolland County death records.
To search Tolland County obituary records well, gather these facts:
- Full name of the deceased
- Approximate date of death
- Tolland County town where death occurred
Types of Tolland County Obituary Records
Tolland County has different types of death records and obituary records. Each type serves a different purpose. A certified Tolland County death certificate is the most common document. It is an official copy with a raised seal. You need this for legal matters. Banks, insurance companies, and courts require certified copies of Tolland County vital records.
A Tolland County death certificate shows key facts. It lists the full name of the deceased. It shows the date and place of death. It includes the cause of death. The certificate also lists the age and address. Social Security numbers appear on some copies. Only spouses and next of kin can get copies with Social Security numbers.
Uncertified copies of Tolland County death certificates are also available. These are plain paper copies. They cost less but are not for legal use. Genealogists often use uncertified copies for research. Members of genealogical societies can access more Tolland County obituary records. Social Security numbers are still redacted for them.
How to Get Copies of Tolland County Obituary Records
You can get copies of Tolland County death records in several ways. Each method has different timing and costs. Pick the method that works best for your needs.
In-person requests are the fastest. You can visit the State Vital Records Office in Hartford. The office is at 410 Capitol Avenue, 1st Floor. Walk-in hours are Monday 9am to 1pm, Wednesday 9am to 3:30pm, and Friday 11am to 3:30pm. Same-day service is often available. You can also visit the Tolland County town clerk where the death occurred. Most offer same-day service too.
Mail requests take longer. Send your request to the State Vital Records Office. Include the death certificate request form. Include a copy of your photo ID. Include payment by money order. Make it payable to "Treasurer, State of Connecticut." Mail to: CT Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11VRS, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134-0308. Mail requests take 10 to 15 business days.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek. This is the only state-approved third-party vendor. Visit vitalchek.com to place your order. You can pay by credit card. Expedited shipping is available. Extra fees apply. But you can order any time of day from home.
Genealogy Research in Tolland County
Tolland County is a great place for family history research. The area has kept vital records since the 1600s. Many Tolland County obituary records resources are free. Others have small fees. You can research from home or visit archives in person.
The Connecticut State Library is the main place for genealogy research. Their History and Genealogy Unit has many indexes. The Barbour Collection covers vital records before 1850. The Hale Collection has newspaper death notices from 1750 to 1865. They also have cemetery inscriptions and church records. Most of these collections are on FamilySearch. You can search them online for free. Visit libguides.ctstatelibrary.org to learn more about Tolland County obituary records.
Tolland County town clerks are another key resource. Each town keeps its own vital records. Some records go back to colonial times. Contact the town clerk where your ancestor lived or died. They can help you find old Tolland County death records. Some towns have online indexes. Others require in-person visits.
Joining a genealogical society helps with research. Members get expanded access to records. They can view Tolland County obituary records that are not yet public. The Connecticut State Library has a list of authorized societies. Membership fees vary. The benefit is worth it for serious researchers.
Browse Connecticut Obituary Records by County
Connecticut has eight counties. Each county has multiple towns that keep vital records and death records. Click a county below to find local resources.