Franklin Township Genealogy Records
Franklin Township is in Somerset County, New Jersey. It has a rich mix of families stretching back to the colonial era. Searching for genealogy records in Franklin Township means working with local vital records, county archives, and state collections. The township clerk holds birth, marriage, and death records for events that took place here. Somerset County also keeps land deeds, wills, and probate files that help trace family lines. Whether you are just starting out or deep into your research, Franklin Township genealogy records offer a strong path to your ancestors.
Franklin Township Quick Facts
Franklin Township Vital Records
Vital records in Franklin Township include birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses. The township clerk keeps these on file for events that happened within Franklin Township borders. You can request copies in person or by mail. Each certified copy costs $25 for the first one, and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. These records form the base of most genealogy searches in Franklin Township.
For older records, you may need to go beyond the local office. The New Jersey State Archives in Trenton holds birth records from 1848 to 1923, marriage records from 1848 to 1948, and death records from 1848 to 1963. These are on microfilm and free to view on site. The Archives also has colonial marriage bonds from 1666 to 1799, which can help trace early Franklin Township families. Somerset County was formed in 1688, so records go back quite far for this area.
The New Jersey Department of Health handles more recent vital records. They hold birth records from 1925 onward, marriage records from 1951, and death records from 1951. You can order by mail, online through VitalChek, or at the walk-in center in Trenton. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks by mail. Genealogical requests are limited to births over 80 years old, marriages over 50 years old, and deaths over 40 years old.
Note: Somerset County marriage records from 1795 to 1892 are held at the county clerk's office in Somerville.
Genealogy Resources for Franklin Township
The New Jersey State Archives is one of the best places to start when researching Franklin Township genealogy. The Archives holds over 37,000 cubic feet of paper records and 32,000 reels of microfilm dating back to 1664.
You can search vital records indices, land records, probate files, and military records at the Archives in Trenton. All collections are open to the public at no charge. Staff can help you find Franklin Township records in the Somerset County collections. Tax ratables from 1773 to 1822 are also available for tracing early property owners in the township.
The Franklin Township Public Library in Somerset has local history resources that support genealogy work. Their collection includes the Franklin Township Newspaper Archive and the Franklin Township Photo Archive. Old newspapers often hold birth and death notices, marriage announcements, and other family details that do not appear in official records. Photos can also help confirm family connections and place ancestors in a specific time and setting.
Somerset County Records and Franklin Township
The Somerset County Clerk's Office in Somerville keeps land deeds, mortgages, and other property records for Franklin Township. These date back centuries. Land records are some of the most useful genealogy tools because they show who owned what and when. Deeds often name family members, neighbors, and witnesses. The clerk's office is at 20 Grove Street in Somerville and is open Monday through Friday.
The Somerset County Historical Society holds genealogy materials that cover Franklin Township and the surrounding area. Founded in 1882, the society has a research library in Bridgewater open on Tuesdays and select Saturdays. Their staff can help you find family records, church records, and other documents tied to Franklin Township. Research fees are $30 for two hours, which includes up to 10 photocopies.
The New Jersey State Library in Trenton is another strong resource for Franklin Township genealogy. Their collection has about 18,000 items including 6,000 family histories and 1,000 city directories. They also offer free access to Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest for on-site visitors. City directories can help you track Franklin Township ancestors between census years.
Note: The Somerset County Surrogate's Office has will books from 1804 to 1900 and an estate index from 1804 to 1972.
Searching Franklin Township Records Online
Several online databases let you search for Franklin Township genealogy records from home. These tools cover vital records, census data, military files, and more. Some are free. Others need a paid subscription.
FamilySearch offers free access to a large set of New Jersey records. Their collections include births and christenings from 1660 to 1980, marriages from 1670 to 1980, and deaths and burials from 1798 to 1971. They also have New Jersey state census records for 1855, 1865, 1895, and 1915. Probate records from 1678 to 1980 are available as well. You need a free account to view images and indexed records. Not all records are indexed yet, so browse the catalog for Somerset County to find Franklin Township data that may not show up in a basic search.
Ancestry.com has New Jersey birth, marriage, and death records going back to 1711. They also hold census records from 1790 to 1950, wills and probate records from 1656 to 1999, and military records from the Revolution through World War II. A subscription is required for full access, but many libraries offer Ancestry Library Edition for free. The Reclaim the Records project has also made early 1900s vital records indices available for free at the Internet Archive.
The Genealogical Society of New Jersey produces county locality guides and maintains cemetery transcriptions online. Their collections are housed at the Alexander Library on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus. The society was founded in 1925 and publishes the Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, which often contains Somerset County family histories.
- FamilySearch: free births, marriages, deaths, census, and probate
- Ancestry.com: paid access to vital records, census, wills, and military files
- Reclaim the Records: free early 1900s vital records indices
- NJ GenWeb Project: volunteer-run county research pages
- Somerset County Historical Society: on-site research library
Franklin Township Family History Tips
Start your Franklin Township genealogy search with what you know. Write down names, dates, and places for your closest relatives. Then work backward one generation at a time. Vital records give you the dates. Census records show who lived in the household. Land records prove where they lived. Church records and cemetery inscriptions can fill gaps that official files miss.
Franklin Township has a diverse population with roots in many parts of the world. Immigration and naturalization records at the National Archives at New York City can help trace families who came to this area from other countries. The State Archives also holds naturalization records filed with courts across New Jersey. These files often include the immigrant's name, birthplace, age, and date of arrival.
Note: The New Jersey State Archives has searchable online indices for marriage records from 1666 to 1900 and death records from 1848 to 1900.
Somerset County Genealogy Records
Franklin Township is part of Somerset County. The county clerk, surrogate, and historical society all hold records that cover Franklin Township families. For a full guide to county-level genealogy resources, record types, and contact details, visit the Somerset County genealogy records page.