Hamilton Township Genealogy
Hamilton Township sits in Mercer County, just east of Trenton in central New Jersey. The township's Division of Health handles vital statistics for local genealogy records. Birth, marriage, and death certificates can be obtained through the vital statistics office by appointment. Hamilton genealogy researchers also benefit from the Mercer County Clerk's Office and the Mercer County Surrogate, both in nearby Trenton. Searching for family records in Hamilton means using the local vital statistics division along with county and state resources to find the documents you need.
Hamilton Quick Facts
Hamilton Vital Records for Genealogy
The Hamilton Township Division of Health handles vital statistics. Call 609-890-3826 for the vital statistics line. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The office provides certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in Hamilton. Marriage license applications are also processed here, but only by appointment.
The Hamilton Township vital statistics page has details on requesting records.
Appointments help the office staff prepare your records ahead of your visit, which speeds up the process.
Marriage and civil union license fees in Hamilton are $28.00. Certificate fees follow New Jersey standards. You will need to bring a valid photo ID and show your connection to the person named on the record. For older Hamilton genealogy records that are not held at the local level, the Mercer County Clerk or the State Archives in Trenton will have what you need.
Mercer County Genealogy Offices
The Mercer County Clerk's Office is at 209 South Broad Street in Trenton, NJ 08608. The phone number is 609-989-6464. There is also a Mercer County Connection office in Hamilton that can be reached at 609-890-9800. The clerk is Paula Sollami Covello. The county clerk holds property records, land deeds, and older marriage records. Mercer County marriage records from 1832 to 1887 are available through the New Jersey State Archives, though there are some gaps in the collection.
The Hamilton Township government site provides links to local departments and services.
Start here to find contact details for all Hamilton offices that handle records.
The Mercer County Surrogate's Office is at 175 South Broad Street, 4th Floor, Room 420 in Trenton. The phone is (609) 989-6331. Surrogate Diane Gerofsky handles probate of wills, estate administration, guardianship, adoption, and trust matters. These probate records are a rich source for Hamilton genealogy research. They can reveal family ties, property holdings, and the names of heirs that might not appear in other records.
Note: The Mercer County Clerk also has a satellite location in Hamilton, which can be more convenient than traveling to the Trenton office.
Hamilton Library Genealogy Collections
The Hamilton Township Public Library is a resource for local history and family research.
Public libraries in New Jersey often provide free access to online genealogy databases that would otherwise require a paid subscription.
Many New Jersey libraries offer Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest Online at no cost. These databases include census records, passenger lists, draft cards, and other documents that cover Hamilton and all of Mercer County. The New Jersey State Library in Trenton holds about 18,000 genealogy items. Their collection includes 6,000 family histories and 1,000 city directories from across the state. Since the State Library is just minutes from Hamilton, it is an easy resource to reach for in-depth genealogy work.
The State Library also has electronic subscriptions to Ancestry.com Library Edition, HeritageQuest, and NewsBank. These are available for use at the 185 West State Street location in Trenton. City directories in the collection can help track Hamilton ancestors between census years by showing where they lived and what jobs they held.
State Records for Hamilton Genealogy
Hamilton is close to Trenton, where most state-level genealogy offices are based. The New Jersey State Archives at 225 West State Street has microfilm copies of birth records from 1848 to 1923, marriage records from 1848 to 1948, and death records from 1848 to 1963. These are free to view in the search room. The archives also has colonial marriage bonds from 1666 to 1799 with a searchable online database.
The Department of Health at 140 East Front Street in Trenton issues certified copies of more recent vital records. For genealogical requests, births must be more than 80 years old, marriages more than 50 years old, and deaths more than 40 years old. The fee is $25 for the first copy. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Hamilton residents can reach the walk-in center in under 15 minutes.
- State Archives for records before 1923 (births), 1948 (marriages), or 1963 (deaths)
- Department of Health for more recent genealogical records
- Hamilton vital statistics for local certificates
- Mercer County Clerk for land and property records
- Mercer County Surrogate for wills and estates
Hamilton Township History and Records
Hamilton Township was incorporated in 1842. The area has roots that go back much further. Early settlers came to the region in the late 1600s. Land records from that era are held at the State Archives. Tax records from the New Jersey General Assembly covering 1773 to 1822 can show early property owners in what is now Hamilton.
The New Jersey Historical Society in Newark holds about 1,200 family files and 75,000 biographical card index entries. Their manuscript collection has 1,700 groups covering 3,200 linear feet of material. Church records, military records, and published family histories are all part of the library. For Hamilton genealogy that requires digging into the 1700s or 1800s, the Historical Society is a strong lead. The library is open Tuesday through Saturday by appointment. Admission is $7 for the library.
Note: The Genealogical Society of New Jersey, founded in 1925, publishes a quarterly journal with articles on Mercer County families and records.
Mercer County Genealogy Records
Hamilton Township is in Mercer County. The county clerk, surrogate, and library system all hold records that are important for genealogy research. The county seat is in nearby Trenton, making these offices easy to reach from Hamilton. For a full guide to Mercer County genealogy resources, offices, and record types, visit the county page.