Historic & Genealogy Society Libraries a Must-Visit

In these days of high-tech research, amateur genealogists sometimes neglect to use one of their most valuable resources -- the library. This includes both the local facility, and also the libraries that are often available in conjunction with a historic or genealogical society.

In most cases, where the ancestor you are seeking lived, is where you should be locating the nearest historical society. Many of these small libraries are just now creating web sites in order to promote their valuable archives. Most do not have their data online.

If their web site has an email address, try writing to see if they will perform research for you. Some charge up front by the hour, and others offer it freely (one historical society send me a huge packet of information on my family, free of charge. Of course I sent them a donation that more than adequately covered the postage).

A Google search, or a USGenWeb site should help you locate these facilities.

Got Library Card and Home Computer?

If you are a New Jersey resident with a local library card, and you own a home computer, you can access HeritageQuest (its online history books and U.S. Census records) from home.

This is good news for genealogy researchers.

The New Jersey State Library is now making HeritageQuest available for FREE to all New Jersey residents with a library card.

For those not familiar with HeritageQuest, it is a service that provides historical books online (family histories, town histories, etc.) and also access to the United States Census records (1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 (partial)

Steps for access...

1) Have your library card handy.

2) Go to URL: http://www.jerseyclicks.org

3) Choose "Custom Search/Choose Your Database" (middle right of screen)

4) On the next screen, enter your library card bar code number to sign in.

5) The next page is the main menu of databases that are available to you.

Scroll to the Genealogy heading; click on "ProQuest HeritageQuest."

It will launch in a new browser window (tab).
It is all the way down and on the left side of the page.

NJGenWeb - New Jersey GenWeb

New Jersey is one of the most difficult states in which to research your genealogy.

Several of the early census records are not available. Many early vital records were kept by the churches rather than civil servants, and so a great deal of hunting often precedes discovery.

The perfect resource for both the beginning and the advanced genealogy researcher is the NJGenWeb Project web site.

Individuals within a volunteer group have adopted each county in New Jersey.

In addition the state web site offers valuable links to general research information state-wide, including Quaker-specific, and African-American specific research.

This site is a must-see.

Largest Repository of Genealogical Records

Family History Centers are branches of the Family History Library, the largest repository of genealogical records in the world. The Centers are open to all who wish to learn more about their ancestry. These Centers are a valuable resource, in addition to the Family Search free online service.

These centers maintain documents that are not found through online services, and may be a family tree researchers most valuable asset.


In South Jersey the centers are located in Cherry Hill, Linwood and Vineland.

Family Tree Research 101: New Jersey

If you are researching your family tree, one of the best places to start is at the NJGenWeb (New Jersey GenWeb) web site. A partner with USGenWeb, they offer free information about genealogical (family tree) research.

The state site provides basic research tools, valid throughout New Jersey.

In addition, NJGenWeb's county sites offer resources available on the county, city and town level.

Volunteers are always needs for this important project.