Went to the Union, NJ Library last September, too, but they didn't have much that wasn't available elsewhere. Hunting our DUNHAM family said to be from Connecticut Farms. They did have a couple of old maps which showed where families lived. Tried to get into the Presbyterian Church Cemetery there, but the gates were locked and the office was closed. Just not our day to be lucky...at Scotch Plains or Union. Doesn't appear to be much on Connecticut Farms either. If anyone can offer me additional information also, I would be grateful. Such wonderful historical area, but with little available information. Westfield Library has the most information. Audrey in Michigan with lots of roots in Union Co., NJ from both my paternal & maternal sides. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Friday, February 25, 2000 9:06 AM Subject: Re: [NJUNION] Re: The Genealogy of Elizabeth and Union County >Gary, >Thank you very much. Now if you can tell me how I can get records about CT. >Farms ( now Union, NJ) I'll be very happy. >Thanks so much, >Margaret c. Hunt > >

Hello, Was at the Scotch Plain Baptist Church just last September, a few days following the hurricane that hit the shore and devastated some areas in NJ. In fact, the Baptist Church had been flooded and they were working to clean up after. The paster was very kind, but has been with the church only a year, so wasn't able to help us much. A longtime member happened to be there and pulled out an old ledger which really gave us no new information, than that already published. He tried, but looks like records are very limited, and what they had was already published. I know they have a little booklet of cemetery readings done by a school group. This was also available at the Scotch Plains library. I don't know if it is just a local item or not, but not all burials are recorded, only those which I guess appeared to have been readable gravestones. Some of the gravestones are very old and still mostly readable, but deteriorating with time. Others are gone. I had already read and looked at books relative to Scotch Plains, NJ at the Allen Co. Public Library in Ft. Wayne, which were very limited. I had seen what Gary suggested below at the Elizabeth Library years ago, and that is all that is basically available on Scotch Plains. The Genealogical Society of the West Fields Newsletters have had some pertinent information concerning Scotch Plains from time to time. Here is one book: RAWSON, Marion Nicholl, "Under the Blue Hills, Scotch Plains, New Jersey," The Historical Society of Scotch Plains and the Fanwood & Scotch Plains American Revolution Bicentennial Committee; Found at Allen Co. Public Library, Ft. Wayne, IN) Audrey in Michigan -----Original Message----- From: Kathleen Pantano <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Friday, February 25, 2000 7:41 AM Subject: Re: [NJUNION] Re: Scotch Plains Baptist Church >Hi Gary, > >Thank you for the information. Any chance you might have the page numbers >so I can request copies through interlibrary loan? > >thanks again, >Kathleen > >>From: [email protected] >>Reply-To: [email protected] >>To: [email protected] >>Subject: [NJUNION] Re: Scotch Plains Baptist Church >>Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:47:50 -0500 >> >>The cemetery inscriptions were published in the Genealogical Magazine of >>NJ beginning in Volume 35. The GMNJ also featured a list of members >>1747-1814 in Volume 7, pgs. 65-75, with corrections on p. 112. >> >>As I recall, the Westfield Library has a more detailed record book in its >>genealogical collection. I think it was more trustees' minutes than >>vital records, but it may be both. Sorry my recollection is vague there. >> >>Gary >> >>On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:50:29 -0800 (PST) [email protected] >>writes: >>Hi All, >> >>Can anyone tell me if records from the Scotch Plains Baptist Church are >>available and where I can obtain them? I am also looking for the >>cemetery >>records. Looking for records from inception to if possible. >> >>Thanks, >>Kathleen Pantano

Audrey: What part of MI? I live near Lake Michigan, Muskegon Co. west of Grand Rapids. Have been trying for quite some time to get info on Ct. Farms especially the Jaggers and Terrel families. Now I find that the THOMPSON line (Thomas, with sons Moses, Hur,and Aaron) were also in that area as well as Elizabethtown and later Madison, NJ If I personally get information, I'll share with you and will you do the same for me? In trying to fill in the females of the LEWIS line, I have a DUNHAM from Martha's Vineyard who m. a FOSTER and moved to the "wilds" of Greenville, NY. Also both my LEWIS abd THOMPSON lines ended up in Delaware Co, Ohio and there were Dunhams there,too. In fact I have a Dunham genealogy. If you relate to the Mayflower I may have something of interest to you as this goes 'way back. It looks as if the line came from Mass. to Ohio, though. Be glad to share whatever. Happy hunting, Margaret Co Hunt

Just deleter and forgive me if this is a repeat of this message. My provider has been having problems sending and receiving and I didn't see my message on the list, so here goes again. I would like to offer another site to look for answers in finding your ancestors. Long before I was "internet literate" I used a pen and paper and found many of my ancestors at the Genealogy Society of the West Fields. They keep their records at the Westfield Library and are a wealth of help with all these "old" families. Now you can go to http://www.westfield-nj.com and get to their site. Don't leave the dash out between westfield and nj. When you get to the Westfield location, click on the left column.."Organizations", scroll down to Genealogy Society of the WestFields, then click on First Families, the on Genealogies. Especially check out the "Greaves Papers" and the warning attached. After the first flush of satisfaction, go back and explore the rest of the site. There is a quarterly newsletter for members and you can place a query in it. This newsletter reaches another different group of people who might have answers for you. Then go all the way back to "Organizations" and click on "Westfield Historical Society". There is a lot of history and maps there. Great way to spend an evening. Have fun, hope it helps someone. Alice in Vermont

D Kurtz Boca Raton FL

Gary, Thank you very much. Now if you can tell me how I can get records about CT. Farms ( now Union, NJ) I'll be very happy. Thanks so much, Margaret c. Hunt

Gary-Thanks for the Good answer. The Census I had been checking but all the Given Names are common such as "Patrick" (they sure used this one enough) "Michael" and for Women"Ann" and "Honora" . I think they also all moved to the same area because there are lots of Patrick's there. He had brothers and cousins in that area and the Given names were all used again in that family. Hard to tell which family is which. My GrGrandfather died shortly after my Grandfather was born so he did not appear in the 1860 census. I think I might try the Church records if I can find out the RC church in Brunswick where the Irish went. Pat

Hi Gary, Thank you for the information. Any chance you might have the page numbers so I can request copies through interlibrary loan? thanks again, Kathleen >From: [email protected] >Reply-To: [email protected] >To: [email protected] >Subject: [NJUNION] Re: Scotch Plains Baptist Church >Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 21:47:50 -0500 > >The cemetery inscriptions were published in the Genealogical Magazine of >NJ beginning in Volume 35. The GMNJ also featured a list of members >1747-1814 in Volume 7, pgs. 65-75, with corrections on p. 112. > >As I recall, the Westfield Library has a more detailed record book in its >genealogical collection. I think it was more trustees' minutes than >vital records, but it may be both. Sorry my recollection is vague there. > >Gary > >On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:50:29 -0800 (PST) [email protected] >writes: >Hi All, > >Can anyone tell me if records from the Scotch Plains Baptist Church are >available and where I can obtain them? I am also looking for the >cemetery >records. Looking for records from inception to if possible. > >Thanks, >Kathleen Pantano >________________________________________________________________ >YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! >Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! >Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

I was happy to have made clear the Union and Essex county connection today. I have been afraid to write as I felt I was where I did not belong. My family goes back to the 1700's in Scotch Plains and Elizabeth. My 3rd gr grandparents William Valentine son of Obadiah and Ruth Mulford Valentine married Joanna Crane April 1, 1787 in New Providence. She was the daugther of Joseph and Ruth Miller Crane. Both Obadiah and Joseph were in the Revolulionary War. Obadiah died May 19, 1788 and Joseph died June 7, 1778. I have not been able to find where they are buried but have seen them listed in DAR. William and Joanna moved to Ohio in the 1790's with Ruth Crane and some of her family. I have seen where someone said Obadiah was possibly a spy, I don't know if this is true or how I could find out. Can anyone tell me how to find where Obadiah and Joseph are buried? Ruth in MO

Littell's pub speaks a bit of Moses, Thompson and Hur being amongst the first of Elizabethtown ,meaning around 1699, then includes many of descendants... This book is a plethora of helpful data for anyone researching early families of Passaic Valley area including Westfield, Rahway, Elizabeth Townships, Conn. Farms (now Union), New Providence and more... ---------- >From: [email protected] >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [NJUNION] Thompson, Jaggers, Terrel >Date: Thu, Feb 24, 2000, 11:40 AM > > Thanks Jan for the help on the counties. I was wondering why people were > writing about Elizabeth in NJUNION when I had Elizabethtown in Essex! > However my Thompsons were in Ohio (Jersey, of course - Licking county) by the > 1830's. Does the book on Passaic Valley cover the period of 1660-1700? If so, > I'll certainly try to find a copy. > Happy hunting and thanks again, > Margaret > >

In its heyday, Elizabethtown included most of present day Union County, plus a big chunk of what is now Somerset Co. and a bit of today's Essex. It lost those by 1741, at which time it was pretty much coextensive with modern Union Co. Over the years, communities began to secede. On March 19, 1857, most of the towns which were formerly part of Elizabethtown broke off from Essex Co., becoming Union Co. At the time, these towns were Elizabeth, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Springfield, Union and Westfield. Most of these later subdivided, creating the 21 Union Co. municipalities of today. Here's the technical part: The township called Elizabeth-Town was formed in 1693. Meanwhile, the borough of Elizabeth was formed by royal charter in 1740 and rechartered by the state in 1789. From 1794 on, the township and borough were coextensive. The township was incorporated as "Elizabeth" in 1798. In 1855, the township and borough were united as the City of Elizabeth. (Gleaned from "The Story of NJ's Civil Boundaries" -- a great reference source!) Does that answer your question? Gary On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:50:29 -0800 (PST) [email protected] writes: Does anyone know when Elizabethtown became Elizabeth or When it went from Essex Co. to Union Co.?

Pat, I can't speak for New Jersey genealogical societies but I can speak from eight years of experience researching Irish ancestors -- much of the research centered in Northern New Jersey. I have found that Irish-American families tend to be less well documented that some others. It may possibly be that historically, at least, anti-Irish sentiment played some part. But I certainly don't believe that is presently the case and I'm flabbergasted to read what a "certified genealogist" told you. Perhaps there was some misunderstanding? I've engaged a certified genealogical record-searcher from New Jersey, Anne Rodda, to help in my research and over the course of several years she could not have been more competent, helpful and concerned that I learn more about my Irish-American ancestors. By the way, if you are reseaching McMahons in Morris, Essex and Union counties and would like to communicate and perhaps eventually share information, I'd be delighted. Dave McMane

The cemetery inscriptions were published in the Genealogical Magazine of NJ beginning in Volume 35. The GMNJ also featured a list of members 1747-1814 in Volume 7, pgs. 65-75, with corrections on p. 112. As I recall, the Westfield Library has a more detailed record book in its genealogical collection. I think it was more trustees' minutes than vital records, but it may be both. Sorry my recollection is vague there. Gary On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:50:29 -0800 (PST) [email protected] writes: Hi All, Can anyone tell me if records from the Scotch Plains Baptist Church are available and where I can obtain them? I am also looking for the cemetery records. Looking for records from inception to if possible. Thanks, Kathleen Pantano ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

Pat- That woman obviously gave you a ridiculous answer. Of course the mid-1800s are genealogically important in NJ. So many people came through NJ at that time! You will however encounter a certain amount of genealogical snobbery -- in general, the farther back you go, the harder it is to find anything, so more recent genealogy is considered "simple" and/or "unsophisticated" by some. Genealogical societies in the older states do tend to focus on the colonial period. I think this is less due to snobbery and largely because public and other records become more plentiful, informative and easier to find and use towards the mid-1800s, and especially into the late 1800s. So a lot of genealogical societies do not collect materials from those years, based on the thinking that scarce resources are better devoted to harder to find, obscure records from a time when individuals rarely had even their names recorded. (E.g., his presence on a seemingly trivial list of cattle earmarks may be the only indication that your ancestor lived in a certain place.) There are plenty of records pertaining to the wave of immigrants you mention. The best are US census records (National Archives / LDS and many other repositories), state census records (NJ State Archives / LDS I think), state vital records (NJ State Archives), church records (try church or LDS), naturalization records (harder to locate) and passenger lists (National Archives / LDS). Also cemetery records and local newspaper obituaries. Good luck with your research! Gary On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 11:50:29 -0800 (PST) [email protected] writes: When the Potato Famine Irish Came to NJ in or around the area of 1840-50 is it true that the NJ Genealogy Societies do not consider this important enough to document as Genealogy? Is it true that there are very few records on these people? If it is not true where can I get records on these people and what type are available. A women who said she is a Certified Genealogist ( In NJ) told me that 1850 is not really Genealogy material and this is not considered an important part of NJ Genealogy. What a slap in the Face that was. I always consider everything in the past Genealogy and History of that Location. I hate to think anyone doing Genealogy would consider any Ethnic Group unimportant. 1850 is now One Hundred and Fifty Years ago. Would like to get some Replies on this. Pat McMahon Regan

Sheri, They both were rather interlapping over-running to each other as the early "Townships" perse of each covered a lot of territory... Try going to Yahoo start page and clicking on maps, then fill in either town name and N.J. and you should be taken to some good maps that will allow you to zoom in and around, and will offer you some good visionary... Jan in California ---------- >From: Sheri Iamele <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [NJUNION] Thompson, Jaggers, Terrel >Date: Thu, Feb 24, 2000, 3:39 PM > > Elizabehttown was originally the Town borough of Elizabeht. How close was > ELizabeht to Westfield in the 1700's? How close are they now? I am curious > because I can very easily place some of my families in Westfield but with > others its hard to tell if they lived in Westfield or in the Elizabeth town > borough. > Ideas? > Sheri in Ohio > >

My brick wall is Olive Hedden, born 1891 in Plainfield, Union Co. daughter of Anna Belle Parker Hedden and my grandfather Frank Hedden. Anna Belle died in 1904 and Frank married my grandmother, Gussie. Gussie didn't want Olive around to remind her of first wife (so the story goes) so sent her off to live with an aunt or grandmother. After 1905 we lose track of Olive. Anyone having any knowledge of Olive, please contact me. Thanks. Arlene Dunkum

Thanks Gary. I'm working on my Certification and sure do not want to make her mistake. Your right times change and so does everything else. However I still do someof my work in -----------------.I now know that it is important to have contact with people like you. Pat

Elizabehttown was originally the Town borough of Elizabeht. How close was ELizabeht to Westfield in the 1700's? How close are they now? I am curious because I can very easily place some of my families in Westfield but with others its hard to tell if they lived in Westfield or in the Elizabeth town borough. Ideas? Sheri in Ohio

If anyone goes to the NEG&B library in Boston or elsewhere, to research Meeker/Cory, please keep a lookout for any clues regarding parentage of Joseph Conkling (married Mary Cory, daughter of Joesph and Mary (Meeker) Cory) or David Conkling, Sr. (married Abigail Meeker). Both men born in 1720's and lived in Elizabethtown. Thanks. Sheri in Ohio.

<A HREF="http://pages.prodigy.net/blahblahblahblah/ETAssoc/">ye Elizabethtown Associates</A> Enjoy! Pat