New Jersey State Archives

Overview

The New Jersey State Archives is the official repository for public records of the State of New Jersey and its predecessor, the colony of New Jersey, operating under the Department of State.

History

New Jersey's 1776 State Constitution created the Office of the Secretary of State as successor to the former Provincial Secretary; the Archives' holdings for the Department/Secretary of State include collections dating back to New Jersey's founding as a British colony in 1664. The Archives is distinct from the New Jersey State Library, which holds books and publications rather than original manuscripts and government records.

Collections, Holdings, and Publications

Current holdings exceed 37,000 cubic feet of paper records and over 32,000 reels of microfilm, including genealogical and colonial records, licenses, corporate filings, election results (including the 1860 Lincoln-Douglas election returns), and records relating to cultural and ethnic affairs. The Archives is the official repository for microfilm of county clerks' and surrogates' records produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and of local newspapers produced by the New Jersey Newspaper Project.

Access and Usage

The Archives is located on the second floor of the State Library building at 225 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey, within the Capitol Complex.