In a message dated 98-10-29 01:26:52 EST, you write: << For the second time this year a Historic Middlesex County Church was destroyed by the wreckers ball. Just two months after the destruction of the Holy Trinity Church in Perth Amboy, the old Tabernacle Baptist Church building in South River was razed to make way for a parking lot. I passed the site Sunday morning. All that is left is a pile of rubble with an orange plastic fence around it. I can tell you that someone isn't happy about the churches destruction. On the fence was a hand written sign stating "History Destroyed by the Taber Baptist Church, an enemy of South River". >> Unfortunately there's more than one side to this story. There seems to be a misconception that churches are all wealthy. Churches don't usually have much (if any) money to spare; most if not all of their income comes from donations from their parishioners, and most of their budgets run in the red. Old city churches, whose wealthier members tend to move to more suburban areas and to take their money with them, are usually the hardest hit. When the building that they're using is too small to be effective or too old to be safe, the only choices they normally have are to sell the old property in order to buy another or to demolish the old building to make space for a new one--or for the parking space legally required to accommodate the parishioners at the new facility. They haven't the spare cash to maintain two buildings: one for current use and the second for historical preservation. In some areas, historical societies have purchased the old building for its historical value; in others, the courts have become involved. In at least one case that I know of, a church was forced by the court to keep and maintain the historical site, the result being that the congregation couldn't find the resources to rebuild. They had to continue worshiping in an old, inadequate building. All too often the end of stories like that is that so many of the members of the congregation leave for other churches that have large enough facilities to provide the programs they need that the original church folds--and then what becomes of the historical site? Typically the property gets sold to a developer or condemned, and the site gets lost, anyway. In an ideal world (which we all know doesn't exist) there would be plenty of donors willing to supply the cash to maintain historical sites; in the "real world" that we live in, often the cash isn't there. People have to choose their priorities for what to do with their discretionary income, and they may have others that are more important than historical preservation. It's a shame to lose old buildings, but sometimes their owners have no choice. Doris Stanford

Hi Middlesex People! I came into this late--did someone offer to look up NJ marriages on a Family Tree Maker CD? Doris Stanford

Hello Middlesex County Researchers, For the second time this year a Historic Middlesex County Church was destroyed by the wreckers ball. Just two months after the destruction of the Holy Trinity Church in Perth Amboy, the old Tabernacle Baptist Church building in South River was razed to make way for a parking lot. I passed the site Sunday morning. All that is left is a pile of rubble with an orange plastic fence around it. I can tell you that someone isn't happy about the churches destruction. On the fence was a hand written sign stating "History Destroyed by the Taber Baptist Church, an enemy of South River". More information can be seen at: <http://www.rootsweb.com/~njmiddle/MidConews/tabernaclebaptist.htm> I am hoping to get information on the Holy Trinity Church razing soon. In contrast to these events the Trinity Episcopal Church in Woodbridge celebrated its 300 birthday. If you are researching Woodbridge in the 1700's this church and the First Presbyterian churches would be the ones your looking for. I have also uncovered two Cemeteries in Sayreville. One is on Pulaski Avenue and the other is on Washington Avenue. There are also more cemeteries in Perth Amboy and Woodbridge that I have to investigate. These are on New Brunswick Avenue and Florida Grove Road. In Piscataway there is a family plot on Centennial Avenue. I have to check that one out also. There is also a rumor of another family plot behind the new Loew's Theatre complex on Route One. If anyone has any information on any of these cemeteries please contact me. Also, is it customary for Catholic Cemeteries to have a large cross (10 - 12 foot high) just beyond the entrance? Thank You, Glenn G. Geisheimer, Iselin, New Jersey: glenng@castle.net Owner: NJMiddle,NJEssex, Co-Sysop Baden-Wurttemberg Mailing Lists Essex County, NJ Genealogy: http://www.rootsweb.com/~njessex/ Middlesex County, NJ Genealogy: http://www.rootsweb.com/~njmiddle/ Personal Genealogy Site: http://www.castle.net/~glenng/index.html Virtual Newark, NJ: http://www.castle.net/~glenng/newark/newark.htm

Does anyone have access to the 1870 census? I am looking for Henry Stonaker . Middlesex Co., S. Brunswick, Twp 593, Roll 874, P.21 Dwelling #162. Lisa Babyboymax@aol.com

Hi Lisa, It is very kind of you to offer look ups on your CD for New Jersey Marriages. I wonder if you would look up two for me? Name of Groom Richard F. Coryell/Coriell Name of Bride Francis Spencer Date unknown but would have been around 1812 Name of groom Benjamin Coddington Name of bride Hannah Coon Date of marriage year 1783 I did not know what date the CD started and thought I might get luckie. Thank You, Roberta Summers.

In the 30s and possibly earlier St. John's Grammar School in Orange, NJ had a junior police force. These students wore uniforms with caps and capes. They assisted the smaller students at several street corners surrounding the school. I graduated from St. John's in 1942 and at that time the police force used metal arm bands and over the shoulder white straps attached to a belt around the waist. I am very interested in securing a group picture of the jr. police force or an individual photo of anyone in uniform. I certainly will reimburse all costs including mailings. This photo would be included in my family history as my brother at one time was on that force while he attended the school. I thank you in advance for your time and effort. Charles CParnham@aol.com

Here is a very long shot. See if the NJ Marriages has a marrage of Nathan or Nathaniel Campbell and Martha (Patsy) Possible last name Thorne Thanks Neil Campbell

Hi Friends!! I have a CD called New Jersey marriages, 1680-1900. Will do lookups for you if you need it!!!!! Lisa Babyboymax@aol.com

Hello Middlesex County Researchers, I've recently added a new feature to the Middlesex County Genealogy Web Site. It is called Middlesex County News. It features news stories that affect historic Middlesex County. I hope you enjoy it and I will accept contributions to the page. Thank You, Glenn G. Geisheimer, Iselin, New Jersey: glenng@castle.net Owner: NJMiddle,NJEssex & Co-Sysop: Baden-Wuerttemberg Mailing Lists Essex County, NJ Genealogy: http://www.rootsweb.com/~njessex/ Middlesex County, NJ Genealogy: http://www.rootsweb.com/~njmiddle/ Personal Web Site: http://www.castle.net/~glenng/index.html Virtual Newark, NJ: http://www.castle.net/~glenng/newark/newark.htm

Can anyone tell me the names & locations of any of the cemeteries in Sayerville ?? Am I in the correct county for this inquiry ?? If not, will some one direct me, please. My ggaunt Sarah Ann FORDEN dd. 1869, is supposed to be buried in this location, and I am not at all familiar with the counties and what areas they cover. TYIA Dorothy Blakeley NY

we are not to be getting attachments on this message site...right? -----Original Message----- From: NJMIDDLE-D-request@rootsweb.com <NJMIDDLE-D-request@rootsweb.com> To: NJMIDDLE-D@rootsweb.com <NJMIDDLE-D@rootsweb.com> Date: Saturday, October 17, 1998 12:45 PM Subject: NJMIDDLE-D Digest V98 #73

Lisa- I live near Jamesburg & would be willing to look in the St. James Cemetary for you. What are you looking for? Sherry

Can anyone help me with the following names found in a Bible record? Thanks! ---Robin http://members.aol.com/RLCww www.rootsweb.com John Mont Boughrum died Nov 4, 1893 (written above the typeset "births" headings) Casy Boughrum was born December 24, 1865 John Whitford Boughrum was son of Rose & [?] Whitfield Boughrum was born Sept 13, 1883 & died the 19th of Sep 1883 Andrew Yugen Boughrum was born Jan 23th, 1885/Andrew Yugen Boughrum died Jan 21, 1912 Maryelen Boughrum was mared on the 18 October 1865 to Enoch V Burke Jennie Boughrum was mared 1871 8 of October to William Mack WF Boughrum was married to Rosa M Yarbrough of Richmond, VA on Feb 9, 18__ at the age of 18 years John Whitfield Royal Stanly Boughrum was born 29th Sep 1887 the son of Rosa & Whitfield Boughrum J Witfield Boughrum Jr was born Nov 1 1889 the son of Witfield and Rosa M Boughrum Births Archibald Sodon was born March the 30, 1830 Abigail Ann Boorum was born Sept the 27, 1834 Archibald Sodon & Abigail Ann Boorum were married June the 29 1850 William Sodon of Archey an Abigail Sodon was born december the 21 1851 Rebekah[?] Schank Sodon daughter of Archey and Abigail an Sodon born May the 2, 1853 James Tompsone[?] Sodon was born Febray the 1, 1856 Edward [_idezey?] Sodon the sone of Archey and Abigail an Sodon was born Aprl the 8, 1860 John Parker Sodon the son Archey and Abigail an Sodon was born novemder the 2, 1863 Samuel Boorum Sodon the son of Archey an Abigail an Sodon was born Augst the 28, 1866 Carry H Sodon the daughter Archey and bigail an Sodon was born May the 13 1869 bigail and Sodon the daughter Archey and bigail An Sodon was born Janery the 17, 1872 in this date of this family/in the year of our lord 1883/truly j.t.s.

Hi, Looking for families BERGEN/BERGAN and FOUROT/FAUROTTE said to be buried in the Old Burying Ground near train tracks in Piscataway or possibly Metuchen. Can anyone help? Thank you. Lily

Hi all! I am looking for anyone that lives close to St. James Cemetery, Jamesburg, that would be willing to go there for me, as I live out of state. Lisa Babyboymax@aol.com

I have traced many of my ancestors to New Jersey in the time span of the early 1700's. I have only found census and tax lists that go back to 1753. Would anyone have any suggestions of what lists may exist that would list ancestors and their counties for a given time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Nora Probasco

Hi, Need a lesson in Obits. I am looking for an obit of a man who died on Nov 18, 1879 in Plainsboro, NJ. Where their newspapers in that area? Thanks Lisa

Hi...new here. Was wondering if someone might be able to give me a quick sketch history of the town, Nixon, NJ. In particular, I'd like to know who the town was named after (someone named Nixon, perhaps?) or if there is any info pertaining to Nixons that might have lived there. My ggg grandfather was John Nixon, b.1779. There is a tradition among the Nixon side of my family to name children after older family members or familiar geographical locations. One of John's grandkids was Belford Nixon, and I see in the atlas that there is a Belford, NJ about...what?... forty miles from Nixon. A shot in the dark, perhaps, but worh checking out. Siincerely, Lee Nixon Missoula, MT

Hi everyone, Need some help becoming versed in New Jersey State Censuses. I know they are at the Division of Archives and Records Management. Do they allow requests for lookups, and if so what do they charge, and what information do I need to send? I am interested in 1855 and 1875 for Henry Stonaker and James Henry Smith. Thanks in advance for any information. Lisa Babyboymax@aol.com

according to Symmes _History of the Old Tennent Church_, 'Contributions to East Jersey History' by Whitehead, pp28-29 gives listing of 100 persons or so who were on the Henry and Francis with George Scot's company which sailed from Scotland to New Jersey in 1685... does anyone have those pages? ...online? I'm looking to see if any GASTONs might have been onboard. thanks. kirby heard kirbz@netmcr.com