GSBC Meetings
GSBC Meetings are held every 4th Monday of the month (except holidays and December). General Meetings include a brief business meeting. Meetings start promptly at 7pm in the Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium, 125 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ. Phone (201) 670-5600 (see map, above), unless otherwise noted. Light refreshments and speaker handouts provided. Your membership dues directly supports this programming and allows us to host speakers on a wide variety of topics — thank you!
GSBC Special Events & Seminars
The GSBC holds several special events each year, including our popular day-long Annual Seminar and late-night RPL Lock-In, where genealogists can attend talks on a variety of subjects, collaborate on problems, and receive one-on-one research assistance. Additional event fee may apply. Discount for GSBC members.
Ridgewood Public Library Programs & Classes
The Bolger Heritage Center at the Ridgewood Public Library holds events on local history and genealogy-focused computer classes. Ridgewood residents and GSBC members receive a discount on these events. Included in the calendar below are RPL classes of interest to genealogists and local researchers. Please check the full RPL calendar for class information, fees, registration, cancellations, and for classes on other topics. All registration is through the Ridgewood Public Library calendar or by calling (201) 670-5600.
Below is our complete calendar showing all Meetings, Events, Seminars. Library Programs and Classes. Use the Category filter below to hide the events in a specific category.
Military Photograph Exhibit at Lambert Castle
The Passaic County Historical Society would like to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, From the Photographic Archives, The Men Who Served: 1861–1964. On exhibit from Wednesday July 12th until Sunday October 1st, the display showcases some of the military photographs from the Society's permanent collection.
Over thirty photographs have been selected for this exhibit to demonstrate the common experience of American servicemen, from the American Civil War to the conflict in Vietnam. Their uniforms, equipment, and weapons changed over time, but their fears, triumphs and trials remained constant.
Visitors can access the exhibition, which is on display in the changing exhibit gallery on the 3rd floor, during regular museum hours (Wednesday-Sunday July 12-Sept 3:12pm-4pm Sept 6-Oct 1 1pm-4pm). General museum admissions apply (Adults $5, Seniors $4, Children $3, Members free).
While the barn is not open at all our events (no heat in the winter), it is always a popular exhibit when open, especially with kids. Even if you don’t normally work in it, having a knowledge of what’s there and of our farming past is helpful to the well-versed volunteer.
The meeting will start at the Steuben House at 7:30 and then move to the barn. Steuben House, 1209 Main St, River Edge, NJ 07661.
Presenter: GSBC Trustee Fred Voss
Fred Voss, a GSBC Trustee, tour guide, and researcher at Ellis Island National Park, will join us to share some of his favorite stories of those who arrived in the US through Ellis Island.
From 1892 to 1954, more than 12 million immigrants were processed through Ellis Island. Coming from all corners of the world, these souls—who nearly 40% of Americans can call "family"—left behind possessions and family to reinvent themselves in America.
Voss will provide an overview of the workings of the Island—how immigrants arrived, how they were processed through the different parts of the Island, and what might mean a long stay on the Island or a return-ticket home. We'll also dive into those squiggles on the manifest and how to decipher them. (Part one of two talks on Ellis Island.)
Specialties:
All computer applications
Advanced Research
Local History
Bergen County
Available by Appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Monday, 25 September, 7 pm
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium
GSBC General Meeting
Dr. Richard Haberstroh, AG, GC
This lecture will center around the internet resources now available to assist researchers with their German genealogy as they work in the comfort of their homes. The sites described will include American and foreign websites of both the free and subscription variety.
Also included will be tips to help researchers get the most from these sites and to be able to navigate better those that are not available in English.
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
"I feel like I am on a farm in upstate New York!" overheard at previous event.
Baronfest, A Celebration of Major General Baron von Steuben's
Birthday at his Jersey Estate
Saturday, September 30, 2017, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Museum site open for tours. Visit Bergen County's Premier Historic Site.
Admission: Adults $15, Students (12-22 yr) $7. BCHS members - only $10. Beer (12 oz) $5 - Photo ID required. Cash line moves faster. 100% goes to our mission.
Site opened by volunteer historians and interpreters. Free parking is also available. Extra bus service available via NJ Transit while the Pascack Valley Train line is under repair. HNBL is only 7 miles from the GWB. Site map below. No rain date. Info subject to change. Video of Long Hill String Band. EVENT POSTER.
HNBL, 1201-1209 Main St., River Edge, NJ.
Site map & directions: VISIT HNBL PDF.
The site is opened by knowledgable volunteer historians and interpreters. Event info updated as available. Permit #51797
Specialties:
AncestryLE
Internet Research
Advanced Research
Netherlands
Available by Appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Join GSBC for two exciting courses at the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) at Bergen Community College (note that ILR is for registrants 55 and older). Registration opens on 6 September (see links below). Contact the college at 201-447-7156 or ilr@bergen.edu for more information.
Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree (IR–026)
More and more people are interested in their family's past. This course covers both methodology and the basics of searching records in the US such as census and vital records. We will discuss both traditional and online resources—therefore, students must be familiar with navigating the Internet.
This course is sponsored by the Genealogical Society of Bergen County.
Tuesdays: 3, 10, 17, 24 October
Room: TBA/ Time: 12:00–2:00 p.m.
Instructor: Fred Voss
Online Catalog: http://bergen.edu/wp-content/uploads/ILR-Fall-2017-Catalog.pdf
Registration Opens: Wednesday, 6 September 2017 10:00am; Online registration only; http://bergen.edu/community/institute-for-learning-in-retirement/course-offerings-and-registration/
Information and registration via the ILR web site at http://bergen.edu/community/institute-for-learning-in-retirement/
Specialties:
AncestryLE
Canadian Records (French and English)
State and Federal Census
Advanced Research
New York City Research
City Directories
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
"Nashi Predky-Our Ancestors" 2017 Conference
Join fellow genealogy enthusiasts for the 4th Annual Nashi Predky Fall Conference—Unlock Your Heritage: Discover Your Ancestry—featuring a full "DNA Day" on Friday and dual-track afternoon presentations on Saturday!
The 4th Annual Nashi Predky Fall Conference—Unlock Your Heritage: Discover Your Ancestry—will be held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center located at 135 Davidson Avenue in Somerset, NJ. The event features internationally known experts in Eastern European genealogy, and will span two days, including a full-day dedicated to DNA along with a Saturday's workshop on Using Cadastral Maps, opportunity for networking, and the choice of seven lectures.
View full schedule and speaker details
The Nashi Predky Family History Group is proud to offer a two full days of programming. Participants may register for either Friday or Saturday, or the full two-day conference at reduced pricing. In addition to the presentations, the event will have vendors and cultural display areas.
On Friday, October 6th, DNA Day offers participants three lectures, Q&A Panel open discussion and dinner. Registration opens at 2pmand a light dinner will be available. The presentations by Melissa Johnson, CG are: Genetic Genealogy: A Beginner’s Guide, Diving Deeper into Genetic Genealogy, and Using Autosomal DNA in Genealogy. The DNA Panel Discussion will be hosted by: Melissa Johnson, CG, Natalie Asikainen, Bruce Romanchuk, an Administrator of the Facebook group "Lemko Ancestry & DNA", and Prof. Volodymyr Bodnar, the leader of the FamilyTreeDNA group "Ukrainian DNA Genealogy - Український ДНК-родовід".
On Saturday, October 7th, the second day of the "Unlock Your Heritage: Discover Your Ancestry" opens with registration at 8am with a light continental breakfast. At 9am, the morning sessions start off with the presentation "Galicia: An Ethnic and Religious Melting Pot" by Zbigniew Stettner where he will describe ethnic and religious mixture in Galicia and show how this knowledge can help you trace your ancestors.
After the opening session, a dual-track day begins with presentations by Rhoda Miller, CG, "Finding Families in Russian Era Ukraine: Census Records and More", and by Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak "Ukrainian Catholics in America: A History".
Participants will be offered a buffet luncheon featuring ethnic food and networking time during the lunch break.
The afternoon sessions continue the dual-track offerings: "1920s-1940s Polish State Archives Records for Lemkos" by Zbigniew Stettner; "Ten Ways to Jumpstart Your Eastern European Research" by Lisa Alzo; "Did My Great-Grandmother Have a Family?: A Problem Solving Case Study" by Rhoda Miller, CG; and "Immigrant Cluster Communities: Past, Present and Future" by Lisa Alzo. An optional workshop "Using 19th century Cadastral Maps to Trace Our Galician Ancestors" hosted by Zbigniew Stettner will show how to find the records in archives, interpret them and teach how to compare cadastral maps with current maps using various software and websites.
The two-day event concludes with the door-prizes at 4:30pm.
135 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873
| Registration | |
| Friday (DNA Day) registration only (early bird discount) | $ 40.00 |
| Saturday registration only (early bird discount) | $ 55.00 |
| Friday and Saturday registration (early bird discount) | $ 85.00 |
Instructor: Judy Kenney
Learn about the wealth of records and research help available free on FamilySearch.org. In addition to millions of digitized records, discover full-text books, hundreds of research videos, and thousands of research articles to help you in your research. Learn how to search more effectively and how to use the many other features on the site.
Registration and fee required (Ridgewood and GSBC members $5; Visitors $10)
http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=5615&EventID=312055
Specialties:
Ancestry
Census
Ireland
Immigration
New York City and New Jersey
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Specialties:
All computer applications
Advanced Research
Local History
Bergen County
Available by Appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Monday, 23 October, 7 pm
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium
GSBC General Meeting
Melissa A. Johnson, CG—This lecture covers the various types of New Jersey vital records and the information they provide during different time periods; vital record additions and corrections; delayed vital registration; New Jersey adoption records and recent adoption legislation; and New Jersey divorce records. In addition to the types of records that exist, the discussion will focus on availability and restrictions, present day organization of the records, online and on-site indexes and records, alternatives for restricted or non-existent records, out-of-state resources, and methods for using vital records, adoption records, and divorce records to solve problems.
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Camp Merritt Centennial
10/25/2017, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Dumont
Old Auditorium
Registration is open
Tom Kelly, Dumont Historian and Tom Sites will share the history of the military base that was used during World War I by more than a million soldiers before their deployment to Europe. This camp covered 770 acres, was composed of 1302 buildings, and was active from 1917-1920. You are probably familiar with the monument at the Cresskill traffic circle and now you will know why it was constructed there.
Registration required
Event Type(s): Special Event, Lecture/Speaker
Age Group(s): Adults
Presenter: Tom Kelly , Tom Sites
Catherine Dodwell, (201) 384 - 2030
Saturday, 28 October, 4:30–11 pm
Ridgewood Public Library
Genealogists take over the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL) after-hours for a light supper, research, workshops, and sharing. This event is a great way to improve your skills, meet new genealogy friends, or just have a whole evening to research in the Library.
(Complete program to be announced). There will also be an expert panel discussion, along with individual assistance offered throughout the night. A light supper will be served as well.
You do need to register for this after-hours event at the Library—registration form will be mailed to GSBC Members, posted online, and available at the Ridgewood Public Library. Please contact Sarah Kiefer with any questions, 201-670-5600 x135 or skiefer@ridgewoodlibrary.org.
