GSNJ Collections—Research Assistance and Copies

GSNJ offers assistance to those who cannot access our collections in person or who have questions about our holdings. Please note that requests will be completed for records or information within GSNJ Collections only. Requests will be answered as promptly as possible by GSNJ’s Corresponding Secretary. Membership in GSNJ is not required for research requests but support for GSNJ, either through Membership or a donation, is encouraged. Thank you for your support.

NOTICE: The GSNJ collections are housed in the Alexander Library Special Collections and University Archives on the Rutgers University campus. Until further notice, Special Collections and University Archives is closed for construction. At this time, all research requests except for the Bible and Family Records & the Cemetery Records and Transcriptions collections are on hold. A notice will be posted here and on GSNJ’s Facebook when this service resumes.  Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

NOTICE: Instructions for accessing the Bible and Family Records & the Cemetery Records and Transcriptions collections at the New Jersey State Archive can be found by clicking here.

Please note that GSNJ cannot:
1) guarantee that our search for records will be successful,
2) conduct research beyond the GSNJ collections, or
3) extend research beyond provided surnames or individuals.

GSNJ also reserved the right to limit the number of requests or copied pages, at any time and for any reason, and that the Society respects the copyright of authors. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

To request GSNJ Research Assistance and copies

1) Identify the Collection(s)

Use the GSNJ Online Finding Aids to locate collections that have the surnames you are looking for and include any dates and details you find. Nearly all of GSNJ’s Finding Aids, except those for the General and Miscellenous Collections, are searchable and online. If requesting a record from the GSNJ Bible and Family Records Collection, please provide the published record number and family name. Note that providing record numbers and/or complete family names and dates will speed your request.

2) Complete a Research Request Form

You may submit a request in a number of ways—please make sure the form is filled out as completely as possible:

Mail-In—Download and fill-in the GSNJ Collections—Research Request Form and mail your completed request form to:
GSNJ Corresponding Secretary
P.O. Box 664, Hopewell, NJ 08525
Please include a self-addressed, stamped business-sized envelope so research results can be mailed back to you.

E-Mail—Download and fill-in the GSNJ Collections—Research Request Form and e-mail your completed request form to reference@gsnj.org.

Online Form—Fill out our online form (below) and submit it to GSNJ’s Corresponding Secretary.

Other avenues for research in the GSNJ Collection

Conducting Research in Person

Researchers may use the GSNJ collections, free of charge, by visiting the Special Collections and University Archives (SC/UA) at Rutgers University during regular operating hours.

Special Collections and University Archives
Alexander Library, Rutgers University, 169 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1163
Phone: 848-932-7006

The Special Collections and University Archives (SC/UA) at Rutgers University contains a vast amount of historical and genealogical materials, maps, photographs, publications about New Jersey history, and manuscript materials. Please note that all researchers must check bags, coats, and other materials as requested in the lockers provided at the facility. Non-flash photography is with permission. Scanning equipment is not allowed. Photocopies are available for a small fee. See the SC/UA Rutgers website for complete rules and regulations.

GSNJ cannot complete research requests for materials outside of our collection. We encourage you to visit the SC/UA Rutgers in-person and explore this wonderful resource for New Jersey genealogy and history.

Hiring a Researcher / Record Pulls

If the search within the GSNJ Collections does not provide the information you require; if you need research outside of GSNJ’s collections either at the SC/UA Rutgers, New Jersey State Archives, or other repositories; or if you need assistance with a particular research problem, consider hiring a New Jersey-based professional researcher.

GSNJ maintains a list of New Jersey Professional Researchers who can provide individualized research or record lookups. The list contains names of researchers, contact information, and areas of expertise. Please contact a researcher directly for information on services, pricing, and other terms. (Please note that inclusion on GSNJ’s list does not imply endorsement of an individual’s services.)

GSNJ Collections–Research Assistance Form

Please note that GSNJ Research Assistance is designed to help those who cannot make it in person to the collections in New Brunswick, New Jersey, or need advice on or help with using a specific collection.

GSNJ’s Corresponding Secretary will answer all queries but, due to limited time, retains the right to limit the number of lookups or requested copies. If in-depth lookups or research in the GSNJ Collections is required, GSNJ recommends visiting the collections in-person or contacting a local Genealogy Researcher who can search the collections in-person for you. Thank you for your understanding.

Your Information

Phone Number (In case we have questions):[Required]
-
Email Address:[Required]
Are you a GSNJ Member? [Note: Membership is not required for Reference Assistance but supporting our Society, which provides this service, is encouraged.] [Required]

GSNJ Collection(s) to be Searched

NOTE: Before using this form, please review GSNJ’s online Finding Aids and/or use the Search function on this site to search across all Collections. Then, complete the information for the GSNJ Collections that may apply.

If you are unsure which Collection would would like searched, enter your information in the last field, labeled “F) GSNJ Other Collections and Questions.”

A) The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey (GMNJ), Volumes 1–50

Nearly 100 years of scholarly research articles on people and places across New Jersey. We will provide specific requests as well as search other indexes not yet online. 

Before submitting a request, please consult the GMNJ Online Index.

  • If listed in the index, please provide volume number, date, page, article title, and subject surname. 
  • If not found in the online index, you may inquire about a specific name, although results may not be guaranteed. Please provide as complete information as possible, including: name, location, relevant dates, and/or key relationships.

B) GSNJ Bible and Family Record Collection

More than 6,500 original, photocopied, or transcribed records, primarily pre-1850, arranged and numbered in accession order.

Before submitting a request, please consult the GSNJ Bible and Family Records Collection Index.

  • If listed in the index, please provide the specific record number(s).
  • If not found in the online index, you may inquire about a specific name, although results may not be guaranteed. Please provide as complete information as possible, including: name, location, relevant dates, and/or key relationships.:

C) GSNJ Cemetery Inscriptions

Transcribed inscriptions from more than 800 New Jersey cemeteries. 

Before submitting a request, please consult the online index for the Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey.

  • If a cemetery’s inscriptions have been published in the Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, you may request a complete list of inscriptions. Please provide provide the specific volume number, date, page, and Cemetery name.
  • If not found in the online index, you may inquire about a specific name, although results may not be guaranteed. Without a specific article listed, you will receive only those pertaining to the surname(s) below. Please provide as complete information as possible, including; name, location, relevant dates, and/or key relationships.:

D) GSNJ Emigrant Register

An unofficial typed register of New Jersey residents who emigrated from the state before or during the 19th century. (Name index not online.) 

Search the GSNJ Emigrant Register for:

(Please provide as complete information as possible, including: name, location, relevant dates, and/or key relationships.)

E) GSNJ General Collection

An expansive collection containing miscellaneous family notes and notebooks, compilations, and correspondence regarding primarily New Jersey families. (Name index not online.) 

Search the GSNJ General Collection for:

(Please provide as complete information as possible, including: name, location, relevant dates, and/or key relationships.)

F) Questions and/or Other GSNJ Collections

Use the box below:

  • for a record(s) found in the Finding Aid not in the Collections listed above,
  • if you are unsure which collection to search,  
  • general GSNJ Collection inquiries, and/or
  • any other questions.

If requesting a search, please provide as complete information as possible, including: name, location, relevant dates, and/or key relationships.

Verification and Submit

Once you have completed the above, please click on “Submit” to send your request. Note that if you leave this page before clicking “Submit,” all progress will be lost and the form will be reset.

Last updated: 26 February 2022