The Society was a museum and a research center but our mission has evolved. Much in our holdings has been scanned and made available to members online. Today our goal is to clarify and build Townsend family groups through research and DNA testing, help people surmount brick walls, and expand our knowledge of Townsend ancestry regardless of family group.

The Townsend surname was found throughout England and medieval court documents show various spellings including Towensend, Tounson, Townend and Townsend. A geographical surname, Townsend described someone who lived at the end of the town. In 1192 one Wulfric "at te tunesende" was recorded in the county of Suffolk. By 1327 when surnames became common, William atte Towensende in the county of Worcestershire owed taxes; his descendants would drop the "atte." Most modern Townsends use this spelling of the surname although in the north of England, Townend can still be found, and in the American South, variations that include Townsell and Townsin appeared.

The Townsend Society of America assists and supports members with their family histories and genealogies. In our "Members Only" pages, we provide the contents of those contributions, collections, and archives to our membership. Membership is open to all who share an interest in the goals of the society. We are interested in ALL Townsends.

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Featured Townsend photos:

Historic New Haven mansion and property for sale for $2.25 million

This photo was used for the recent sale of the Townshend house in New Haven, CT [photo courtesy of Landvest] owned by the late Deb (Doris) Townshend [d 2020] and her husband. It will become an event venue. Her husband's family descends from Thomas Townsend of Lynn, MA. Deb's son Hervey Townshend, and his children, are Life members. Deb was a delightful and interesting lady to speak to, she was a serious local and family historian, and contributed to the TSA Journal. [Google images has more photos, etc., from the New Haven Register.]