New Jersey Family History Records

New Jersey, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, boasts a rich history filled with diverse cultural influences. From early Dutch settlements to wave after wave of immigrants, tracing your Garden State ancestors can be a fascinating journey. This guide will walk you through how to organize your genealogical research, where to find vital records, and how to use local archives and libraries—so you can piece together your New Jersey family history step by step.

Research Basics: Timelines and LocationsResearch Basics: Timelines and Locations

Pinpoint Key LocationsPinpoint Key Locations

New Jersey is divided into 21 counties. Narrowing down which county or town your ancestors lived in is critical. Use details from family stories or old documents to pinpoint the place where you should start looking.

Create a Rough TimelineCreate a Rough Timeline

Note important life events—birth, marriage, death, children’s births—and approximate them on a timeline. Tracking your ancestors’ movements over time helps determine where to look for records, such as:

Vital records
Census data
Church records
Newspaper archives

Explore New Jersey Vital RecordsExplore New Jersey Vital Records

Birth, Marriage, and Death RecordsBirth, Marriage, and Death Records

In New Jersey, vital records typically begin in the mid-1800s. Look both on the state and county level for birth, marriage and death records. Birth & Death are LOCAL ONLY like New York.

State Registration: Official statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in 1848. However, compliance was spotty in the early years. By 1878, the process was stricter, so later records are often more reliable.
Where to Find:
- The New Jersey Department of Health (Office of Vital Statistics) holds records from 1919 onward.
- The New Jersey State Archives has records from 1848–1918.

Statehood to 1878 RecordsStatehood to 1878 Records

County clerks recorded marriage returns locally which can be aligned with State records for 1848-1878.

1878 to Present1878 to Present

The New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registry has records from June 1878 to the present. The New Jersey State Archives has records from May 1848 to December 31, 1900.

Marriage RecordsMarriage Records

Look for out-of-state for marriages. Check New York City for Northern New Jersey residents and Philadelphia for Central and Southern New Jersey residents. Delaware – Wilmington – Lewes were points of marriage as well.

Divorce RecordsDivorce Records

Only available through the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center.

Consult Census RecordsConsult Census Records

U.S. federal censuses have been conducted every 10 years since 1790. These are key to tracing movement over time and identifying children or other relatives in the household.

1790–1840 Censuses: Name only the head of household; other household members are tallied by age and gender.
1850–1940 Censuses: Offer more detail, listing every household member by name, age, birthplace, and more.
1890 Census: Mostly destroyed by fire, so you’ll have a gap for this year.
State Censuses: New Jersey conducted a state census in 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, and 1915.

Look for changes in location between census years to track where to seek other local records.

Delve into Land and Property RecordsDelve into Land and Property Records

Property records not only confirm residency, but they can also reveal inheritance patterns and family relationships.

County Clerk or Register of Deeds: These offices typically hold deeds, mortgages, and property transactions.
Be Aware of Changing Boundaries: Some New Jersey counties formed after earlier ones, so be mindful of historical boundary changes.

Research Probate and Court RecordsResearch Probate and Court Records

Probate records (wills, inventories, letters of administration) are valuable for understanding family relationships and wealth distribution.

Surrogate’s Court: In most New Jersey counties, the Surrogate’s Court handles wills and probate cases.
New Jersey State Archives: May have indexed wills and probate records for earlier years.

Understand the records system and how probate records and wills were kept.

Before 1670, under Dutch rule records were kept personally by the notary and not many remain.
From 1670-1784 records kept by the Prerogative Court.
From 1702-1738 New York and New Jersey had the same governor; many New Jersey probate records are with New York City and Albany probate records.
From 1785-1847, County Orphans Court handled probate records.
From 1804-present, wills were filed with the Secretary of State and copies of probate kept on the county level after 1804 as well.

Court documents like guardianship and divorce records can also provide clues about changes in family structure.

Investigate Church and Cemetery RecordsInvestigate Church and Cemetery Records

If your ancestors were affiliated with a particular denomination, church records can be a treasure trove of information:

Baptism, Marriage, Death Registers: Some churches kept detailed records long before civil registration.
Membership Rolls: Sometimes reveal migrations, especially if you see groups of family members joining or leaving together.

Cemetery records can fill gaps in official documentation. Seek out:

Local Historical Societies: They often maintain cemetery surveys and inscriptions.
Find A Grave and BillionGraves: Online databases with photos, transcriptions, and GPS data for many New Jersey cemeteries.

Take Advantage of Local InstitutionsTake Advantage of Local Institutions

New Jersey State ArchivesNew Jersey State Archives

Based in Trenton, the New Jersey State Archives offers a vast collection of historical documents:

Vital records (birth, marriage, death) from 1848–1918
Military records, land records, and probate records
Manuscripts and maps

County Historical SocietiesCounty Historical Societies

Many New Jersey counties have dedicated historical societies that:

Maintain genealogical collections, including old newspapers, diaries, or local directories
Provide library and research facilities
Offer specialized knowledge of local families and history

Genealogical SocietiesGenealogical Societies

Organizations such as the Genealogical Society of New Jersey or various county-level genealogy clubs can point you to:

Workshops, training sessions, and newsletters
Volunteer lookups in rare local resources
Mentors or local experts to guide your search

Explore Newspapers and City DirectoriesExplore Newspapers and City Directories

Newspapers can be an excellent resource, especially when looking for:

Obituaries (which may list relatives, details about birth and death, etc.)
Marriage announcements
Community news, including local events, church socials, and more

Local city directories (precursors to phone books) list heads of households, occupations, and addresses. Changes in listings can indicate moves or name changes over the years.

Track Migration PatternsTrack Migration Patterns

New Jersey’s location between New York City and Philadelphia made it a major corridor of travel. Consider:

Ship Passenger Lists: For ancestors who arrived through New York, Ellis Island, or other ports.
Railroad or Canal Work: Check employment records if ancestors worked on the railroads or the Morris Canal.
Neighboring States: Some families may have moved to Pennsylvania, New York, or Delaware.

ConclusionConclusion

Uncovering your New Jersey roots can be a fulfilling journey, enriched by the state’s vibrant past and wealth of records. As you progress, remember to stay organized, verify information with multiple sources, and reach out to local institutions when you hit a roadblock. With patience and perseverance, you’ll be well on your way to building a thorough and reliable family history that honors your Garden State heritage.

Explore more about New Jersey family history recordsExplore more about New Jersey family history records

Atlas of Historical County Boundaries Project - New Jersey - The Newberry Library
Chronicling America – New Jersey Newspapers - Library of Congress
New Jersey - Cyndi's List
New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registry
New Jersey Gen Web Your gateway to New Jersey
New Jersey State Archives
New Jersey State Library
Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center
The Genealogical Society of New Jersey
USGenWeb Archives Project - New Jersey