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Archiver > NJHUNTER > 2003-01 > 1043617999


From: "Richard Welch" <>
Subject: Re: [NJHUNTER] Hunterdon Court Records question
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2003 14:53:19 -0700
References: <Pine.LNX.4.51.0301261020460.10149@melake.erols.com>


I was in the Hunterdon County Justice Center just last week. The records are
in a separate room on the second floor (no worries about flooding when the
river rises!) and the staff was extremely helpful. The clerk who helped me
said that she attends the church (Zion Evangelical Lutheran Chruch in
Oldwick) where several of my ancestors are bured and told me a little about
the church.

The records are indexed alphabetically by the first letter (or first two
letters) of the last name, then by first name (which makes it easier to find
records where the surname is misspelled). All the court records are indexed
in one set of books, so if there is no Will, but there are Letters of
Administration, they are right there on the same index page. Same with
Orphans Court Records, etc.

I wasn't able to determine the accuracy of the indexes, but I was able to
find all the records that I went there to find, plus a few more. The records
themselves are arranged by type. Some are original records, others are
printed copies of microfilmed records. The courthouse was a joy to do
research in and the staff was great. Contact Susan Hoffman, Hunterdon County
Surrogate, P.O. Box 2900, Flemington, NJ 08822; or call the office at (908)
788-1156. e-mail address is --. I asked about
mail requests and was told that they are handled as quickly as their busy
schedule permits. I had some copies of wills made and the cost was $3 per
page. It might be slightly higher for mail orders. For the dates of their
records, go to the Surrogate's website at
http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/surrog/genlog.htm

And just because your ancestors didn't live in Hunterdon County doesn't mean
there are no records in Flemington for them. My Welsch ancestors lived in
German Valley, but owned land on Fox Hill and in New Germantown. I wasn't
looking for them, but I found wills in Flemington for people who lived and
died in German Valley, but who owned land in Hunterdon County. So for at
least two early 19th century wills of my ancestors, one in Morris and the
other in Hunterdon, leaving bequests of land in both places.

I hope this helps and good luck.

Richard Welch
Farmington, New Mexico


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