Does anyone know if Essex County keeps birth records from 1856?? I contacted the N. J. Archives, requesting a birth record for my Great grandfather, giving them the exact date of birth that appeared on his death certificate. They searched for the period 1848-1878 and came up empty. The reason I would like his birth cert. is because his mothers maiden name on the death cert. is not clearly written. Thank you, Connie =^..^=