Key Vernon Historical Society Archived 'Stories' Going Digital

VERNON, CT — Tolland County history is about to be more easily accessed.

Officials from the Vernon Historical Society Monday said the organization recently achieved its goal of raising funds necessary to have microfilmed copies of its collection of local historic newspapers digitized.

Once the microfilm has been converted into an online format by New England Micrographics, the content will be uploaded to a hosting site, the Connecticut Digital Archive, for free public access, officials said.

These newspapers are:

• The Rockville Journal
• The Rockville Leader
• Tolland County Journal,
• Tri-Town Reporter

The publications collectively cover the years 1867 to 1984. In addition to
covering Rockville and Vernon, they included news in Tolland County towns, along with South Windsor, East Windsor, and Manchester.

Financial support for the project came from local residents, former residents and out-town donors, officials said.

The digitization project received a $2,000 from the Donna Fund of the New England Society of Professional Genealogists. A donation of $10,000 from the Rockville Bank Community Foundation allowed the Society to end the campaign with a "bang," officials said.

"The Society appreciates everyone's support in this community effort," officials said."The digitization of the microfilm will be completed. After the files are successfully uploaded to CTDA, our local newspapers will be available online. Imagine what lost stories will be rediscovered."