GSBC Research Resources
The GSBC and its members are active in compiling indexes for many unpublished Bergen County resources. These indexes represent tens of thousands of volunteer hours by our members — who are committed to improving access to these collections and Bergen County history. Following is information on some of our most popular research areas.
Vital Records: Birth, Marriage, Military, Census, Occupation, Death, and Burial Records
Bergen County Marriage Records
A new scan, fully-text searchable, to Westervelt's Bergen County Marriage Records [approx. 1796–1878, PDF]. Contains information transcribed from records and ledgers held by the County of Bergen, Bergen County History Archives.
Newspaper Indexes
The GSBC and its Volunteers has compiled indexes to three important Bergen County newspapers, which reference the microfilm collection at the Ridgewood Public Library.
Titles include the Bergen Index (1875–1878), the Hackensack Republican (1873–1938), and the NJ Citizen (1871–1874).
Index reference the RPL microfilm. Use the microfilm on-site or order prints/scans online.
Bergen County Diaries and Diarists
Nineteenth-century diarists recorded faithful, running accounts of neighborhood events such as births, marriages, and deaths as well as accidents, fires, unusual weather events, local happenings and celebrations, and even national and world events. Those we know of and have transcribed were written by Martha Ann Zabriskie and her sister Adaline, Charity Ackerman, Martha Ferdon, Elizabeth Ann (Lizzie) Campbell, and Lavinia Hopper Dater.
Postmasters in Bergen County
The GSBC is in possession of microfilm copies of ledger pages of the Post Office Department record of Appointment of Postmasters. The records run from ca. 1832 until ca. 1930. This index is prepared from those microfilm copies. In addition some data from Harold D Perry’s A Postal History of Bergen County (Hackensack, NJ: Hackensack Philatelic Society, 1940) have been added.
Revolutionary War Pension Index
All Name Index to Revolutionary War pension files, related to Bergen County, compiled by Philip O’Leary III. (Please note that this index provides pension application number only, NOT the actual files! The National Archives holds the original pension files [Record Group M804] and, in order to best preserve the records, access to originals are now restricted. High-resolution digitized files are available via fold3.com .)
New Jersey State Censuses for Bergen County
Link to indexes of selected state censusses. Files in PDF format (download the PDF file to search via the Adobe Acrobat program).
Cemetery Indexes
Some of these indexes can be searched through the website and some link through to Find-A-Grave.com. The following indexes were compiled by GSBC researchers as a contribution to the genealogy community.
Compiled Records and Family Files
Early Bergen County Families
The compilation of Pat Wardell's research in Bergen County. More than 950 files available by request.
GSBC Family Files
Database of the files contributed by members over the years. Files contain various genealogical ephemera including (but not limited to) research notes, worksheet trees, bible records, newspaper clippings, photos, maps, etc. Note that these files are contributed by individual researchers and the GSBC is not responsible for errors. Not searchable through the site search, but each Family File has its own index. Originals are located at the Ridgewood Public Library with many records digitized.
Land Records + Map Indexes
Index of Family Names on the 1912–1913 Bromley Map
Index to all the names listed on the 1912-1913 Bromley Maps of Bergen County.
Index to Names and Companies on the 1861 Corey-Hopkins Map of Bergen County
New Jersey at 350 — A Short History of Colonial New Jersey Land Records
Republished from The Archivist. (Updates and corrections ongoing.)
Index to “Ancient Deeds” (deeds generally before 1785)
Index to deeds which were recorded long after the original transaction, usually by family members so that the property could be sold. Original deeds date from 10 September 1670 to 9 September 1905.
GSBC Guides, Exhibits, + Special Projects
The Archivist—Public Archives (1974–2007)
GSBC Local History Resources + Helpful Research Links
A list compiled by GSBC Education Chair Fred J. Voss and updated regularly.
GSBC Special Project: “Bergen County in Five Six Objects”
1) Petition of 107 Bergen County Citizens to the New Jersey General Assembly, 1781 >
2) Paterson Workmen’s Benefit Association Cemetery, Elmwood Park, NJ >
3) First Holland Reformed Church of Wortendyke, Midland Park, NJ >
4) Bergen’s “Boroughitis” Family Tree / Warren Point Postcard >
Guide to Immigration Records and Ship’s Passenger Lists
Guide to Immigration Records and Ship’s Passenger Lists, by Arnold H. Lang.
GSBC Guide to Immigration Records and Ship’s Passenger Lists >
Bergen County @ 350
In 2016 the County of Bergen invited Berge County’s historical nonprofits to create a display case celebrating the County’s cultural heritage. The GSBC submitted panels for its case highlighting the different types of records and famous Bergenites who appear in them.
de Halve Maen Cheat-Sheet, by Marie-Pierre Lessard
Researcher Marie-Pierre Lessard has published, and made available to the GSBC, a new cheat-sheet for the contents of de Halve Maen, the journal of the Holland Society of New York. Published quarterly since 1922, this publication focuses on the Dutch Colonial period in America and publishes new research illuminating the Dutch contribution to American history as well as aspects of New Netherland culture.
