Spotlight: New Jersey Genealogy Information Videos

Love Genealogy but don’t have time to sit with us for a live webinar class?  The New Jersey State Library has created a six-part series of short Genealogy Information Videos for you to enjoy when you have time.  The videos cover a range of genealogy resources and highlight various remotely accessible parts of the State Library’s Genealogy Collection.

Here are the videos in the series:

State Library vs. State Archives:  The New Jersey State Archives and New Jersey State Library are two separate organizations with different collections.  Join Regina Fitzpatrick, Genealogy Librarian at the State Library for a brief overview of what each organization has to offer researchers and resources available from home.

FamilySearch.org Tutorial:  Join Regina Fitzpatrick, New Jersey State Library Genealogy Librarian for a demonstration of how to use FamilySearch.org, a free website with thousands of digitized records.  Learn how to navigate the site and search strategies to get better results faster!

Ancestry Library Edition Demo:  Ancestry is often the first resource family history researchers think to use when doing genealogy.  Currently, Ancestry Library Edition is available to researchers to use from home with their local public library card through June 2021.  Join Regina Fitzpatrick, New Jersey State Library Genealogy Librarian for a demonstration of how to use Ancestry Library edition and best research strategies for this resource.

How to Build a Book List from the State Library’s Catalog:  Although the State Library building is currently closed, patrons have access to the State Library’s catalog 24/7 from home.  Learn how to use the library catalog to do a subject keyword search on a family surname to create a curated book list of items from the Genealogy Collection.  If the books were published before 1925, it’s possible that they are digitized online!

City Directories:  Learn more about City Directories and how to use them in your genealogy or historical research.  Learn where to access certain editions of the directories online and how to use the State Library’s City Directory Catalog.

Extracts from American Newspapers Relating to New Jersey: This published series of transcribed newspaper articles about New Jersey from around the 13 colonies is invaluable to family history researchers looking for relatives from the 1700’s.  Join Genealogy Librarian Regina Fitzpatrick for an overview of this resource and learn where to find the volumes digitized online!

You can watch the videos on the State Library’s YouTube Channel or on the Genealogy Research Guide.  Please feel free to reach out to Genealogy Librarian Regina Fitzpatrick with any questions!