Partner with the Genealogical Society of Bergen County
What is the Heritage CATalog?
Click here for more information and search tips.
Collecting COVID-19 Stories
The Bolger Heritage Center is collecting materials which document the response of our community to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
We are seeking stories from Village residents as you react to new policies and recommendations aimed to restrict the virus’ spread. One day this time will be considered history, and we wish to document and preserve the materials and stories that demonstrate how you are continuing to communicate, work, commute, learn, use the Library, teach, create, celebrate, mourn, and give aid to others.
To read and see the stories submitted so far, please click here.
Local History & Genealogy Events:
Bolger Heritage Center Meetings/Events:
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Monday, March 20 at 7pm, A History Lovers Guide to Bergen County Book Talk (Onsite). Meet authors Bob Nesoff and Howard Joseph Cohn, as they talk about their recently published book "A History Lovers Guide to Bergen County". Travel through various historic sites dating back to pre-Revolutionary times all the way up to the modern day with the Teterboro Air Museum and Hall of Fame. The authors will talk bout their favorite sites such as the Old '76 House (originally in Bergen County) which was a tavern, but also known for the location where British spy Benedict Arnold and co-conspirator Major John Andre were held before their trial. Q&A to follow their talk, and you'll have an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the book. Register encouraged, please click here.
GSBC Meetings/Events
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Monday March 27 at 7pm. Utilizing Ancestry’s Databases: Beyond Search (Onsite and Virtual). Many Ancestry.com users rarely search the hidden resources found beyond the initial “Search” feature. Cari will delve into how to extract treasure from some of the lesser-used databases available to all subscribers. No registration required to attend onsite. Virtual registration required, please click here.
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Monday April 10 at 2pm. Telling Your Family's Story with Google Earth (Virtual). Google Earth is free computer program for your desktop as well as for smartphones and tablets. Use the documents, pictures and stories you gather to create and share a visual representation of your family’s story using Google Earth. Registration required, please click here.
Genealogy Consultations:
Have any genealogical brick walls you need help with? You can now email the Genealogical Society of Bergen County directly to set up an appointment. What’s more, you can make an appointment with a genealogy consultant, who has expertise in exactly what you’re researching: Bergen County, New York City, New Jersey, census records, archival newspapers, etc. And if you need help using a specific database, they can help with that as well, be it Ancestry Library Edition, familysearch.org, or just internet genealogy in general.
Appointments will be conducted through the “Zoom” platform, at any time convenient for both you and the genealogist.
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To make an appointment, email the Society at gsbc.queries@gmail.com.
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To see the areas of expertise, please click here.
Did you know?
The Ridgewood Public Library offers digital access to the Ridgewood News (1891-present day) through the database Newspapers.com. You can access Newspapers.com on our Premium Databases page. Any questions contact Sarah Kiefer at 201-670-5600 x135 or skiefer@ridgewoodlibrary.org
Storytellers @RPL Oral History Project
Objectives are:
· To record residents’ life stories and significant memories.
· To identify and preserve the history of the community.
· To document Ridgewood family life, community organizations and record historical moments.
How do I participate?
If you are interested in being interviewed or you know someone who is,
please contact Librarian Sarah Kiefer in the Bolger Heritage Center:
heritagecenter@ridgewoodlibrary.org or 201-670-5600 x135
Volunteer Genealogy Consultants from the Genealogical Society of Bergen County
For Reference Assistance or an Appointment contact Local History Librarian, Sarah Kiefer
heritagecenter@ridgewoodlibrary.org -- 201.670.5600, ext. 135
The Ridgewood Public Library is open to the public.
Please contact Local History Librarian Sarah Kiefer to schedule an appointment
to visit the Bolger Heritage Center: skiefer@ridgewoodlibrary.org.
Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 9 pm
Friday, 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm
Sunday, 1 pm - 5 pm
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A VISIT
Communicating with Heritage Center staff is always helpful before a visit. You know what to expect and we can prepare for your visit. Call: 201-670-5600, ext. 135 OR email: heritagecenter@ridgewoodlibrary.org
Advance planning is required for MAPS, ARCHIVES, RIDGEWOOD HOUSE HISTORY RESEARCH.
No advance planning is required for use of genealogy databases (on your own), books, periodicals, and CDs in the Bolger Heritage Center, or for use of any of our resources on microfilm (newspapers, NJ State Census for Bergen County, Ridgewood city directiories).
Interested in a tour? Local History Librarian Sarah Kiefer provided a virtual tour of the BHC and you can now watch the video here.