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The Society of the Hawley Family, Inc. was founded August 3, 1923 in Hawleyville, Connecticut by Emily Hawley, a descendant of Joseph Hawley (1603-1690) who is generally recognized by many as the progenitor of the family in America. We were incorporated in 1927.

We more casually refer to ourselves as the Hawley Society. We exist to honor our heritage, promote credible genealogical reseach and extend fellowship and connection among our members.

Read more about our history

What's In A Name?
The name HAWLEY is fragrantly significant of blossoming and sweetly perfumed hedge rows and rich verdant pastures, threaded with meandering brooks and dotted with clumps of clustering oaks. Its old Saxon derivation is expressive of the quiet and content of rural life. Haw means a green plot in a valley or small field in a meadow; but is more commonly construed as a fruit or berry, like the berries of the pink and white hawthorn which grows by the roadsides and laneways of the Old Country. Ley or Lea is a pasture field, as is commonly used in England as a favorite word of poets.


Hawthorn Berries
© Pioneer Life, published by the Lennox & Addington Historical Society

Membership
Membership is open to all those with the surname Hawley as well as those interested in learning more about our ancestors as well as current members of our extended family. We have members throughout the United States and Canada, as well as, in England and the Netherlands. We are truly a global network of cousins. How are you connected?

Hawleys have been in North America for nearly four centuries, and in England probably since the Norman Conquest.

Whether you're a Hawley by birth, married to, or related to one, you will enjoy our web site. You will get even more by becoming a member.

Joseph Hawley was the first Town Clerk or Recorder, the keeper of records, for the town of Stratford, Connecticut. He served in this capacity from 1650-1666. He kept the minutes of town meetings, town acts and recorded births, deaths, and marriages, as well as all land transactions.

The box pictured to the right was used beginning in 1671 and can be seen in the Historical Society of Stratford, CT.