SALEM COUNTY, NJ HISTORY AND LOOKUPS

County History Books

History of the Counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey by Cushing, Thomas, B. And Sheppard, Charles E., (1883) – 916 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.07.28.2208.AR

Salem County, New Jersey: A Genealogical Overview

Situated in the southwestern corner of New Jersey, Salem County is the state’s oldest county with a continuous history of European settlement. Its identity is deeply rooted in its colonial past, beginning with the New Sweden colony and defined by the subsequent establishment of a Quaker colony by John Fenwick in 1675. Rich in colonial architecture, particularly its unique patterned brick houses, and possessed of some of the earliest continuous records in the nation, Salem County offers genealogists a profound connection to the foundations of American history. Its fertile farmland, bordering the Delaware River and Bay, has shaped its agricultural economy for centuries.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Salem County’s origins predate the formal establishment of many other colonial jurisdictions, making an understanding of its proprietary past essential for research.

  • 1694: County Formed: Salem County was formally established as one of New Jersey’s original counties on May 17, 1694. However, a functioning court and system of land records were already in place, having been established with the arrival of English Quaker colonists in 1675.
  • Parent Entity: The county was not formed from a pre-existing county. It was established from the territory of the Fenwick Colony, also known as the Salem Tenth, which was a proprietary division of the colonial Province of West Jersey. Research prior to 1694 should be conducted within the records of this colony, which are housed in Salem.
  • Subsequent Formations: Cumberland County was created from the eastern portion of Salem County on January 19, 1748. This is a critical date for genealogists; any records for individuals in what is now Cumberland County before 1748 will be found in the records of Salem County.
  • Name Origin: The name “Salem” was chosen by its founder, John Fenwick, and is derived from the Hebrew word “Shalom,” meaning peace.
  • County Seat History: The City of Salem has served as the county seat since its founding by Fenwick in 1675. The Salem County Courthouse, constructed in 1735, is the second-oldest courthouse in continuous use in the United States and stands as a testament to the county’s long history.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was the ancestral homeland of the Lenni-Lenape people.
  • Colonial Settlement and Economy:
    • New Sweden: The first European settlers were Swedes and Finns who arrived in the 1630s as part of the New Sweden colony, establishing small farming communities and a fort along the Delaware River.
    • The English Quakers: The defining settlement began in 1675 when John Fenwick, an English Quaker, arrived with a group of colonists aboard the ship Griffin. Their purchase of the land from the Lenni-Lenape and the establishment of the town of Salem marked the beginning of a period of sustained Quaker influence that shaped the county’s pacifist and tolerant social fabric.
    • Economy: The county’s economy was based on agriculture (grains, produce, livestock), with the Delaware River facilitating trade. Early industries included shipbuilding, milling, and the famed Wistarburg Glass Works, one of America’s first successful glass factories.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Revolutionary War: While Quaker pacifism was prevalent, the county was not spared from conflict. In March 1778, British forces engaged local militia at the Battle of Quinton’s Bridge and committed the Hancock’s Bridge Massacre, killing a number of militiamen quartered in a private home.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Salem County’s great age means it holds some of the most extensive colonial-era records in the country.

  • County Courthouse and Clerk’s Office: The primary repository for historical records is in Salem city.
    • Salem County Clerk’s Office: Located at 5 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079, this office is the central hub for researchers. It holds land records (deeds) dating back to 1675, court records, and marriage records from 1795.
    • Surrogate’s Court: This office holds all probate records, including wills, estate administrations, and inventories, with records extending back to the colonial era.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Marriage, and Death Records (post-1848): Statewide civil registration in New Jersey began in May 1848. Official copies of records after this date are held by the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton.
    • Marriage Records (pre-1848): The County Clerk holds marriage records from 1795-1848. Before 1795, marriages must be sought in church records.
    • Birth and Death Records (pre-1848): These records are not systematically available. They must be found in non-governmental sources like church records (especially Quaker monthly meetings, Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian church registers), family Bibles, and tombstone inscriptions.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Salem County Historical Society: Located at 83 Market Street in Salem, this is an essential resource. Its library contains extensive genealogical collections, including family files, manuscript collections, Quaker meeting records, maps, photographs, and historical newspapers.
    • Genealogical Society of Salem County: An active society that provides resources and assistance for those researching local ancestry.
    • New Jersey State Archives (Trenton): Holds microfilm copies of many Salem County records, state census records, military records, and the official state vital records from 1848.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Gloucester County, NJ (northeast)
    • Cumberland County, NJ (southeast)
    • New Castle County, DE (west, across the Delaware River)
    • Kent County, DE (southwest, across the Delaware Bay)

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