Archives of the Diocese of New Jersey: FAQ

Q: I am trying to find evidence of my baptism in St. Maury near the Quarry. Can you help me?

A: All baptismal records are kept only at the church where the baptism was performed. I can help you with the address and telephone number. However, if the church no longer exists (is extinct, in church vernacular) then the Archives may be able to help. Some churches fail to forward those records to the Archives when they close so it will take some degree of luck to find your baptism.

Q: My great-grandfather was a minister and we think it was in the Episcopal Church. We know it was in New Jersey after the Civil War. What can you do to help us?

A: Several bits of information are needed. First, the name of this gentleman. Second, any town names that your family associates with him. Third, any other information you might have. This search requires discovering if the man was indeed an Episcopal cleric, if he was in the other diocese in New Jersey (Newark), a search of ordination records, and, if he is a Priest, other books that will hopefully tell us where and when, date of death, and other information. There is usually a modest charge for this time-consuming task.

Q: I’m new in the ministry and need to know if I can throw away vestry minutes and service registers that are over 25 years old?

A: This is a cardiac-arrest question for archivists and historians! Some records must never be discarded and those you mention are two of them. I am preparing a check-list for parish clergy and lay leaders about what is to be saved and what is to be discarded as well as how long some records should be kept before discarding. It will be posted on this web site when completed.

If you have questions not answered here, please contact the Reverend Canon Larry Fish, diocesan archivist, at archives@newjersey.anglican.org.