On a warm summer day in July 2004, Charles Owen Johnson and James Kevin Raywalt, each a descendant of an individual who settled within the bounds of present-day Connecticut prior to the grant of the Royal Charter of 1662, met to establish The Order of First Families of Connecticut (1633-1662). Mr. Johnson was appointed Governor General and Mr. Raywalt was appointed Genealogist General, each of them approving the other’s application.  Upon approval of both applications, bylaws were adopted.  Soon afterward, additional officers of the Order were appointed by the Governor General.  The first Council and general membership meeting was held at Mystic, Connecticut on Sunday, October 3, 2004.

Objectives of the Order are:

1.  to identify and honor the memory of ancestors who were “First Families of Connecticut (1633-1662),” as defined in Article III, Section 1 of the Order’s Bylaws;

2.  to associate the living descendants of these “First Families of Connecticut (1633-1662),” bringing them into close association through activities revolving around matters of common genealogical and historical interest;

3.  to collect and preserve records, documents and relics pertaining to the genealogy and history of the “First Families of Connecticut (1633-1662)”;

4.  to produce and distribute publications of all kinds relating to the genealogy and history of the “First Families of Connecticut (1633-1662),” and

5.  to do everything and anything reasonably and lawfully necessary, proper, suitable or convenient for the achievement and furtherance of these purposes.

Our Emblem

    The emblem of the Order is comprised of three grapevines from the seal of the State of Connecticut, a cross-crosslet from the Arms of the Earl of Warwick, and a lion rampant from the Arms of the Lord of Saye & Sele.  They are tinctured “proper,” surrounded by an outer circle containing the name of the Order.