Tag Archives: Research Library

Thank you to Douglas McVarish for his deeply informative talk surrounding his book “Researching the History of a New Jersey House”. New Jersey has such a rich history, especially at the local level, and houses are an important part of that tapestry. House research can be a difficulty and taxing undertaking, but with his over 30 years experience in house research, Douglas does a fantastic job of highlighting the steps to take and the records to look for. So let’s tale a stroll around the block and put some context behind “If those walls could talk…”.

What is a House History?

Do people really write house histories? Yes, house histories can be a fantastic compliment to genealogy research or extremely helpful in assisting getting a home on a register of historic places. House histories can come in a variety of styles, from simple lines of ownership to examining the house in various historical contexts. When embarking on a house history, consider the following questions:

When was it built? How has the house and surrounding property changed over time?
What are the social, economic and demographic characteristics of the surrounding neighborhood?
Who has lived in the house? What roles did they play in their community of residence?

Types of Records

Information related to houses can be found in a variety of resources, making house history research a daunting task. Deeds, wills, and other court records can provide crucial information related to construction, purchase, transfer, and inventory of houses as well as the person(s) involved. Newspapers can contain information related to people and events associated with a specific home or provide greater context related to its sale. City directories, censuses, insurance records, and building contracts can also provide a wealth of information related to the inhabitants and the house in a particular point in history. Visual records through maps, atlases, and pictures can document the home’s location and evolution, providing important historical context. Lastly, there are local histories and historic surveys that can provide a wealth of detailed information not only about the specific home, but the neighborhood and community as well.

Places for Information

The records references above are scattered across various repositories, organizations, and mediums. The New Jersey State Library has print and digital Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Agricultural and Manufacturer censuses from 1850-1880, postcards, clippings, genealogical resources, and the largest historical maps and atlases collection in the state. The NJ State Archives has extensive records for the Proprietors of East and West Jersey, annotated topographic maps, historic newspapers, and county records, including deeds, probate records, road returns, and assessment books. The NJ Historic Preservation Office has a fantastic GIS (Geographic Information System) tool called LUCY, as well as numerous historical surveys.

Other places to consider when doing house research include your local historical society; these are great for published local histories, newspapers, and city directories. Municipal and county clerk offices can provide access to a variety of important house-related documents, including deeds, plat maps, road returns, land division records, and records of legal actions. The Surrogate Court offices can help with locating wills, orphan court proceedings, inventories, and other estate documents.

More Information

If you would like more information regarding conducting house history research in New Jersey, please contact Douglas McVarish at douglasmcvarish@gmail.com. You can also check out his book “Researching the History of a New Jersey House” or download the “How to Research the History of a House” guide from the NJ Historic Preservation Office. You can view a recording of this webinar on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/4_P5dRAqE6A.

WEBINAR – Introduction to Brain Injury

January 2, 2024

When we think about our physical health, we can often overlook a very important organ that controls everything we do, the brain. According to the CDC, “At least 2.8 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries in the United States every year,” something that is much more common than we think. Please join us as Kim Myers from the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey gives an overview of the different types of brain injuries, common causes, symptoms, and various changes that can result from brain injury. She will also discuss strategies to help individuals with brain injury and explore the role of caregivers and loved ones in supporting survivors and promoting their recovery. She will also provide a brief overview of programs and services available to individuals with brain injury and their families.

Kim Myers is a community outreach specialist with the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey. She holds bachelor’s degrees in health science and public health from Stockton University and has gained experience in developing and facilitating community programming on a wide variety of health topics. Through her work, she strives to empower individuals of all ages to lead healthy, fulfilling lives and create a better, more connected community.

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK – Black Women’s Christian Activism: Seeking Social Justice in a Northern Suburb

January 22, 2024

Women played an important role in the development of suburban communities and the Christian churches those communities revolved around during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Yet, their contributions remain hidden. In honor of Women’s History Month, please join us as scholar and retired professor Dr. Betty Livingston Adams shares the heroic and inspiring story of how Violet Johnson, a former domestic servant, was able to challenge the established racial and social norms in Summit, New Jersey through her activism and religious faith.

Dr. Betty Livingston Adams is an independent scholar, author, and former university professor. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (with distinction) and the Master of Philosophy degrees from Yale University and the Master of Divinity (Summa Cum Laude) degree from Drew University, Madison, NJ. Dr. Adams is the recipient of numerous academic honors and fellowships, including Global Scholar at the Institute for Research on Women at Rutgers University and Fellow at the Yale Initiative on Material and Visual Culture of Religion. Her scholarship and teaching explore nineteenth- and twentieth-century American and African American religious and social history through the lens of gender, race, and class. Her book, the topic of this talk, received the 2017 Wilbur Award for excellence in communicating “religious issues, values, and themes with professionalism, fairness and honesty”; the 2018 New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Author Award for scholarly excellence; and the 2020 Drew University Bela Kornitzer Prize for Outstanding Nonfiction Book.

WEBINAR – Understanding Life Insurance

December 26, 2023

When we consider estate planning, we often think of wills, power of attorney, and beneficiaries to retirement accounts. Life insurance, on the other hand, is usually an after thought, but can provide meaningful benefits for family when you pass. Britney Enelow, Investment Advisor with the Credit Union of New Jersey, will help clarify how a life insurance policy can help your financial well-being, the types of policies available, and how to maximize the cash value of a policy.

THIS WEBINAR WILL NOT BE RECORDED

VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALK – The Path to Freedom: Black Families in New Jersey

December 19, 2023

The struggle for black freedom in the twentieth century took many forms, particularly within local communities and greater political landscape. Black people and families had to coalesce around the principles of strength, determination, and faith as they struggled to obtain equality in a resistive and prejudicial America. In honor of Black History Month, please join us as Dr. Walter Greason discusses the success and sacrifices of 3 black families in New Jersey that were emblematic of the greater black community throughout the twentieth century.

Dr. Walter Greason, Ph.D., DeWitt Wallace Professor in the Department of History at Macalester College is the preeminent historian of Afrofuturism, the Black Speculative Arts, and digital economies in the world today. Named one of “Today’s Black History Makers” by The Philadelphia Daily News, Dr. Greason has written more than one hundred academic articles and essays. His work has appeared on Huffington Post, National Public Radio, and The Atlantic among other popular, professional and scholarly journals. He is also the author, editor, and contributor to eighteen books, including Suburban Erasure, The Land Speaks, Cities Imagined, Illmatic Consequences, and The Black Reparations Project. From 2007 – 2012, Dr. Greason was an advisor to Building One America, the coalition that designed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009). He also served as the Founding President of the T. Thomas Fortune Foundation, an organization that saved the National Historic Landmark dedicated to the leading, militant journalist of the nineteenth century. Dr. Greason is currently serving as a special consultant to the Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

WEBINAR – Electronic Resources for Genealogy

December 15, 2023

Many people embarking on family history research start with the computer. Come and learn more about some great electronic resources that you can use either at the New Jersey State Library or from home. Regina Fitzpatrick, our Genealogy Librarian, will discuss the resources listed below and do some live demos of useful features.

1. HeritageQuest is a family history research database that any New Jersey resident can access from home with their local public library card through JerseyClicks.
2. FamilySearch.org is a free website accessible from home with tons of digital collections and research information.
3. The New Jersey State Archives has a series of searchable online indexes and records databases that are freely accessible from home.
4. Ancestry Library Edition is probably the most well known electronic resource for genealogy, but many users are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.

WE WILL NOT BE DEMOING PERSONAL RESEARCH REQUESTS

Scams and Frauds: Don’t Be a Victim! Program Recap

December 13, 2023

Thank you to Melanie Hazim from the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs for a very timely talk about scams and frauds. Whether it is the holiday season, the aftermath of a natural disaster, or just another normal day, the threat of being a victim of a scam or fraud is always high. As technology advances, so do the tactics of scammers and fraudsters so it is important to be aware of the latest trends to help protect ourselves; knowledge is the best defense! So let’s put on our detective hats and make friends with skepticism as we look deeper into the seedy world of scams and frauds!

The Basics

Scams and frauds are around us everyday, from unsolicited phone calls and texts, to spam emails, to websites, and even the traditional con-man on the street. The advent and advancement of technology has made the art of scams and frauds more sophisticated, more ubiquitous, and more damaging. It can often be difficult to spot a scam or fraud as they can be disguised as coming from legitimate organizations, programs, or individuals. Phone number and email spoofing, hidden links, and fake, organizations or websites are just a number of ways that scammers try to conceal their true intentions and trick us.

Generally, scammers and fraudsters are after 1 of 2 things: your money or your personal information, sometimes both. Some key signs that you might be targeted include immediate payment, high-pressure situations, threats, asking for personal information, or vague/uncertain questions or responses. If you are ever prompted to provide access or information related to your financial accounts, provide personal information or answer security questions, make sure that you are dealing with a trusted representative or individual

The Types

There are so many different types of scams and frauds, but they can almost always be divided into 2 categories: fear-based and excitement-based. Fear-based scams use high-pressure and stressful situations with intimidation tactics to try and force you to comply with their requests. Popular types of these scams include IRS scams, the Grandparent scam, or technology scams. They will often pretend to be from a reputable organization or a government entity and threaten arrest, criminal charges, or hold devices or information ransom unless payment is made immediately, often requested in the form of gift cards or cryptocurrency.

Excitement-based scams prey off of our more positive emotions like joy, happiness, and social connection. These types of scams include lottery/free money scams, romance scams, or job scams. The promise of big payouts is very enticing and unfortunately, many people fall for them. You may be asked to send a small amount of money to pay taxes or winnings or there was an overpayment of “free money” that you need to pay back when cashing a check; nothing in life is free! Or perhaps you met someone online and developed a close friendship or romantic relationship, but they are constantly asking for money for different things. People can pose as recruiters for real or fake companies and prey on your excitement of getting a new and high-earning job, only to steal your money or personal information. Never let your emotions cloud your thinking!

The Remedies

The best remedy is to never be a victim in the first place. If you see a phone number you don’t recognize, don’t answer; if it’s important, they will leave a message. You can check with your cell phone provider to see if they offer any spam blocker services to help limit the number of calls or texts you get. Never open an email, attachment, or text message that you do not recognize; if you are unsure, contact the person or organization in the message directly using a phone number or email that you know is legitimate. If you do open a message, look for typos, grammatical mistakes, hidden links (hover over hyperlinks to see the real link address), or other things that look suspect. If you are looking for an individual or company to perform a service (home improvement, beauty care, etc.), ask for a copy of their professional license, check their references, and contact the Division of Consumer Affairs to confirm that their license is active and in good standing.

If you are the victim of a scam or a fraud, be sure to report it immediately to your local police department, the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs or Bureau of Securities (depending upon the nature of the scam/fraud), and the Federal Trade Commission. It is only through complaints and reporting that these organizations can open investigations; it important to note that there are monetary thresholds that must be met for the FTC or FBI to initiate an investigation. Also, be sure to notify your bank of any missing money or fraudulent transactions and contact the three credit bureaus immediately (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian). Unfortunately, in most instances, your money will be gone. It is also very difficult to prosecute these types of crimes because they often occur from outside the United States or the digital trail is so well-hidden. While that may sound hopeless, it is recommended to pursue every recourse with every applicable government entity and financial institution to achieve the best possible outcome.

More Information

If you would like more information on scams and frauds, please visit the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs or the Federal Trade Commission. If you have any questions or would like help in identifying if you were a victim of a scam or fraud, please contact Melanie Hazim at HazimM@dca.njoag.gov or 973-504-6348. You can view a recording of the webinar at https://youtu.be/KJv3JUVicc4.

WEBINAR – Language of Flowers

December 13, 2023

If flowers could talk, what would they say? Although using flowers and herbs to convey sentiments has been around for thousands of years, it was in the Victorian Era when the tradition of sending coded messages with flowers became popular. This talk discusses the history, symbolism and sentiments around the flowers we love.

Layce Gebhard retired from the corporate world after 38 years service and was looking for a volunteer opportunity that fit with her lifestyle. She loves gardening and with her husband they own and operate a small choose and cut Christmas tree farm. The Rutgers Master Gardener Program was a perfect fit and Layce became a Master Gardener in 2015. She is active on the Presentation Team, the New Class Team and co-leads the Sensory Garden Team.

Upskilling for My Next Job Program Recap

December 11, 2023

Thank you to Paul Cecala from Cecala Career Consultants for a very informative presentation on the topic of upskilling, particularly where you can find opportunities to enhance your skillset. More and more companies and employers are considering certificates, certifications, and work experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree, especially for entry level positions. Additionally, with the speed at which technology is advancing, it can only benefit you to keep your technical skills up-to-date and relevant to your job. Looking for a new job or trying to get promoted? The key may be having the right set of skills. So let’s take a look at the concept of upskilling and where you can learn those valuable skills.

Benefits of Upskilling

There has been a big shift toward the “Gig economy,” where employers are looking for a specific set of skills to fill their positions rather than just general knowledge you might obtain for a college or university. For those who do not work within a union, you can expect to need a new job every 2 years and a new career every 10 years, so it is critically important to make sure your skills are up-to-date to offer you flexibility when it comes time to find a new job or career. The question that we should constantly be asking is “What value do I bring to my employer?”; if you are uncertain about that answer, you may way to look at expanding your skill set.

Training Options

There a few different types of training options available that can enhance your skills:

Courses – A single course that demonstrates your knowledge of the skill. You might have a transcript or badge of LinkedIn to demonstrate completion of the course.
Certificates – Similar to a course, but at the end, you have a certificate that proves you took and passed that course.
Certifications – An exam typically administered by an independent, professional body to prove you have the knowledge to do a specific job. This can be the result of taking multiple courses before passing the exam.
Degrees – completion of a series of courses from an institute of higher education that demonstrates your general knowledge of a specific field.

What option you chose will be dependent upon which specific new skill you need for your next job.

Training Resources

Now that we know what type of training we need, where do we go? There are a variety of training resources available, many online, that can provide you with the content and proof you need. These include:

Coursera – provide free viewing of training videos, but require payment for proof of completion
edX – provide free viewing of training videos, but require payment for proof of completion
LinkedIn Learning – Available through some institutions and libraries or you can pay per course or with monthly/annual subscriptions. Upon completion of the online course, you get a digital certificate and a badge for your LinkedIn profile
SkillUP NJ (Metrix Learning) – free training that anyone in the state of NJ can take. It is 100% online, but is not suitable for trades (plumbing, HVAC, etc.) or medical professions
OJT (on the job training) – a federally funded program where the employer is paid to train employees while on the job to master a specific skill

The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development receives federal funds, through a variety of programs and grants, to provide training for NJ residents, including if you are unemployed.; in that case, they will pay up to $4,000 for 1 training program. In order to qualify for any of the state grants for training while unemployed, you must be able to prove:

NJ resident
Unemployed at the time of submitting the application and on the first day of training
Proof of legal eligibility to work in the United States
Your unemployment specifics meet the requirements of the specific grant
If male, that you are registered with the Selective Service
Proof that you need that specific training in order to get a job

More Information

If you are looking to advance your career through skill development, check with your current employer about any trainings or professional development available through your institution/organization. If you are unemployed, need help determining what skills to pursue, or need help finding a new job, please visit your local One-Stop Career Center. If you would like a personal consultation with Paul, you can contact his at PCecala@cecalacareer.com.

WEBINAR – Introduction to Proposal Writing

December 12, 2023

Are you new to grant proposal writing or want a quick refresher? This class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation, including:

The basic elements of a grant proposal
The “do’s” and “don’ts” of writing and submitting a proposal
How to follow up whether the answer is yes or no

Visit our Funding Information Center webpage to learn more about the funding-related resources available through the New Jersey State Library.

WEBINAR – Introduction to Finding Grants

December 8, 2023

Are you new to the field of grantseeking? Discover what funders are looking for in nonprofits seeking grants and how to find potential funders in this introductory course. You will learn the 10 most important things you need to know about finding grants, including:

Who funds nonprofits and what are their motivations.
What do funders really want to know about the organizations they are interested in funding.
How do you identify potential funders and make the first approach.

Those who attend the live webinar will receive log-in credentials to use the Foundation Directory database remotely for 48 hours following the presentation. Ample time will be given for questions.

Visit our Funding Information Center webpage to learn more about the Foundation Directory and other funding-related resources available through the New Jersey State Library.

Stress Management Workshop Program Recap

December 12, 2023

Luz Villarreal