More about the Welles Family Association

The purpose of the Welles Family Association is: to honor a common ancestor, Thomas Welles, by striving to emulate his sterling qualities; to foster an interest in the study of his life and activities; and to cement a closer bond of unity among his descendants in fellowship and service to each other. The Welles Family Association was founded in 1936.

The Welles Family Association has initiated many activities over the past 60 years in an effort to support both the historical and genealogical interests of its members. The Association erected a boulder with a proper inscription at the site of Governor Welles' home on State Street in Wethersfield. The Association also contributed to the establishment of a "Welles Room" at the 1774 Solomon Welles House, owned by the Town of Wethersfield. and most recently purchased a large projection screen for the Keeney Cultural and Arts Center, owned by the Wethersfield Historical Society.


Our biggest undertaking so far has been the publication of The Descendance of Governor Thomas Welles. 1590-1660, and his Wife Alice Tomes. by professional genealogist Donna Holt Siemiatkoski. It won an award of distinction from the Connecticut Society of Genealogists. Volume I was printed in 1990 and covered the first four generations of the family in America. with the fifth treated as children. We are currently working to extend this research for two more generations. The up-dated publication will be a complete update of the first volume with the addition of generations 5, 6 and 7. A publication date has not been established.

The family's activities include a twice-yearly newsletter and the Annual Meeting. The luncheon meetings include speakers of historical interest to the Welles family. In recent years, we have toured Glastonbury and Wethersfield, listened to speakers from the Wethersfield and Stratford historical societies, and learned about the experiences of the common soldier during the Revolutionary War. In 1990, the family visited England and spent time in several villages and towns of importance in the life of Gov. Thomas and Alice (Tomes) Welles.


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