Could someone tell me what type of church records are available for Union County (specifically New Providence), and where/how to access them? I have an ancestor (Jeremiah Raddin) who died between 1870 (he was alive for the census) and 1880 (his wife died, a widow), more than likely in New Providence. I haven't been able to locate a death certificate, and am hoping to find his death date from church records. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Tom Smith in CT

Tom, He isn't in the published tombstone inscriptions for the New Providence Presbyterian Church and not in the published list for the New Providence Methodist Church. Littell says that the Raddin homestead was located near Feltsville some of which is actually part of Berkeley Heights. I checked the Westfield Pres Cemetery and found nothing. 9 persons with the surname Raddin are buried in Scotch Plains Baptist cemetery but Jeremiah (or Jeremy) was not listed. Not in the published list for Rahway, Springfield, and Connecticut Farms (Union Twp). You need to check the NJ state 1875 census to see if he was alive at that time. Often an ill parent went to live with a son or daughter who could care for him/her when a spouse was not able. Before 1903, you have to supply the exact county (or even township) in NJ for the Archives to check death records. Unfortunately New Providence is/was bounded by both Morris County and Somerset County. Perhaps someone could check the NJ Will Index for the 1870-80 time period which would give you the correct county. You do not say, but was he the Jeremiah Raddin who was born in April 1806 who married Abigail Frazee and had children Reuben, Mary, William, Ellis, Hervy, Eliza Jane and Abigail? (Littell, p. 339) Pam Bush > > I have an ancestor (Jeremiah Raddin) who died between 1870 (he was alive for > the census) and 1880 (his wife died, a widow), more than likely in New > Providence. I haven't been able to locate a death certificate, and am hoping > to find his death date from church records. >