No one at Dominick H. Ferrara School seemed to know what Dominick's middle name was. So one of the teachers called the East Haven Historical Society to find out.

Roberta "Cathy" Watts did some research and solved the mystery. The "H" stands for Henry.

That's a day in the life for Watts, a member of the historical society since it was formed in 1969, who last week was named town historian, a title she will share with lifelong East Haven resident William "Bill" Jackson.

Both were officially named town historians at an historical society meeting last week during which Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr., issued proclamations, declaring Jan. 17, 2012 as Roberta "Cathy" Watts Day and William "Bill" Jackson Day. The previous town historian, Jack Brereton, died in July 2011.

"We felt these two were both equals are far as their dedication to the town of East Haven and their dedication to the historical society and the preservation of the town," said Michael Riolino, president of the historical society. "They have been involved in the town for a lifetime."

Watts noted that she joined the historical society well before she retired in 1988.

"I was always a history buff," she said.

Of her role as a town historian, Watt said it is "to keep and preserve memorabilia, written history, and spoken history" of the town.

"It's my job to protect those things," she said.

Watts has been a resident of East Haven for more than 50 years. In addition to her work as a member of the historical society, she has also served as an appointed member of the Old Cemetery Board.

Jackson, who turned 85 last week, knows first-hand much of the history of the town. Jackson, father of East Haven Fire Chief Doug Jackson, spent 27 years with the East Haven Fire Department and was fire marshal for 12 years. He retired from the department in 1980.

Jackson has been a member of the historical society since 1994 and served as president in 1998.

The historical society museum is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents to see its collection of artifacts. Both Watts and Jackson are there to answer any questions residents may have about East Haven's history.

"Between the two of us, we can probably answer the questions," said Jackson.

Historical Society Seeks Volunteers, Books

The East Haven Historical Society seeks volunteers to help out for an hour or two on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. at 2 p.m. at the historical society museum at the old high school at 200 Tyler Street. For more information, call 203-467-1766.

The historical society is also looking for East Haven High School Pioneer class books. The historical society seeks to complete its collection of these books and would appreciate the donation of the books.