Our Mission
Otis Library’s Edward & Mary Lord Local History and Genealogy Room maintains a substantial collection of books, historic newspapers, photographs, and written and pictorial pamphlet file materials. The collection focuses most intensely on the history and families of Norwich and its surrounding towns. There is an emphasis on New London County locales, but we also hold significant resources related to Windham County.
Explore Norwich History
Norwich Bulletin Digitized
Otis Library is the principal repository for the archives of the Norwich Bulletin, housing both microfilm and bound volumes of the Bulletin and the invaluable Bulletin clipping files. Through grant funding, Otis Library has been digitizing historic editions of the Bulletin. All digital editions are available on the Internet Archive.
Historical Photographs
Otis Library maintains a growing digital collection of historic photographs and postcards dating back to the nineteenth century. All digital photograph collections can be accessed for free on the Otis Library Flickr page.
Snippets of Norwich History
Every month, Otis Library highlights a snippet from the history of Norwich, CT. Come back every month to learn more about the different corners of our town’s history.
Find your Roots
Ancestry Databases and Resources
There are a number of resources for researching your family history. Check our curated list to find birth records, census reports, military records, historical newspapers, and more.
Genealogy Collections
Otis Library has carefully preserved information and artifacts that might be of interest to anyone researching people, places, and events in Norwich, Windham, and New London Counties.
Research Services
Expert Assistance
Otis Library staff members can offer limited assistance with library searches, microfilm readers, computers, printers, scanners, and photocopiers. All requests for information that exceed 15 minutes will be subject to a fee. Research fees are due in advance and will not be refunded if the requested information is not found.