Cape May County Genealogy Records

Cape May County sits at the southern tip of New Jersey. Its roots run deep. Families have lived here since the late 1600s, and records from that era still exist. Searching for Cape May County genealogy records can lead you to deeds from 1692, old court files, and marriage logs from the 1700s. The county seat is Cape May Court House, where the Hall of Records holds most public documents. Cape May County also has one of the largest groups of Mayflower descendants in the nation. Whether you trace local roots or have just one branch here, Cape May County offers rich genealogy resources.

Cape May County Clerk Genealogy Archives

The Cape May County Clerk's Office holds a vast collection of historical records. The Archives sit in a climate-controlled storage area inside the Hall of Records. Documents and bound volumes date back to the 1690s. These records are open to the public for genealogy research. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cape May County has preserved its past well, making it a strong place for family history work.

The Cape May County archives hold census records from 1850, 1860, 1865, and 1870. Court records span 1797 to 1948. Deeds and deed indexes go back to 1692, which is rare for any New Jersey county. Justice of the Peace dockets cover 1786 to 1948. Marriage records from 1795 to 1878 are also on file. Mortgage indexes date from 1692. Naturalization records from 1896 to 1964 round out the collection. These records help trace Cape May County families across many generations and time periods.

The Cape May County Clerk's Office website provides details about visiting the archives and requesting records from their collection.

Rita M. Rothberg serves as County Historian. She was named to that role by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2015. She runs a historical program that presents exhibits and works to preserve, collect, and share access to Cape May County records.

Probate and Estate Records in Cape May

The Cape May County Surrogate's Court manages probate records. Wills, estate files, and guardianship papers are handled here. These records are key for genealogy research because they often name heirs, list property, and reveal family ties. E. Marie Hayes serves as Surrogate. The office is at 4 Moore Road, DN 207, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. You can also visit the third floor at 9 North Main Street in Cape May Court House.

Appointments are required. Call 609-463-6666 before you visit. The office accepts check, cash, or credit cards. Bring a photo ID. Small estates are defined as $50,000 for a surviving spouse or $20,000 for next-of-kin. Short certificates are needed for each asset in the decedent's name. The Surrogate's Office keeps the original will and death certificate on file. A certified true copy of the will goes to the estate representative.

The Cape May County Surrogate's website shows how to view these records and what to expect during a visit.

Probate records are a strong tool in Cape May County genealogy. They fill gaps that vital records alone cannot.

Note: The Surrogate's Office retains original wills and death certificates, so plan to request certified copies for your genealogy files.

Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society

The Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society is located at 504 Route 9 North in Cape May Court House. Phone is 609-465-3535, and for genealogy questions, use extension 5. The email is cmchgs@gmail.com. This society runs a museum spread across three buildings. These include a 1704 colonial-era Cresse home, an 1830 Federal-period Holmes addition, a Townsend Carriage Shed, and the Historic Smith Barn. Each structure reflects a piece of Cape May County history.

The society runs a genealogy research library. It holds detailed records about the people who shaped Cape May County. Many families here can trace their roots deep into the sandy soil of southern New Jersey. Cape May County has the second largest group of Mayflower descendants in the entire nation. That fact alone draws genealogy researchers from across the country.

The Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society museum and library are worth a visit for anyone digging into local ancestry.

Volunteers and staff help with research. The library is a strong starting point for Cape May County genealogy work.

Cape May County Vital Records Access

Birth, marriage, and death records are central to any genealogy search. In New Jersey, the Office of Vital Statistics holds records starting at various dates. Birth records begin in 1925. Marriage records start in 1951. Death records also begin in 1951. For older vital records tied to Cape May County, the New Jersey State Archives is the best source. The Archives has birth records from 1848 to 1923, marriage records from 1848 to 1948, and death records from 1848 to 1963 on microfilm.

Under N.J. Rev. Stat. 26:8-24, the State Registrar maintains a comprehensive index of all vital records. For genealogical searches where full details are not known, the fee is $25 plus $1 for each extra year searched. Cape May County vital records can also be ordered through VitalChek or by visiting the walk-in center at 140 East Front Street in Trenton.

Note: New Jersey vital records are not public records and cannot be searched online, so you must submit a formal request for copies.

Cape May Library Genealogy Resources

The Cape May County Library is building a digital history collection called Cape May County History Online. The library scans and digitizes county newspapers, pamphlets, and select books. These are then posted on the library website for free public access. The collection currently contains 4,418 issues and 36,234 pages. This is an ongoing project, and it grows over time.

Old newspapers are gold for genealogy research. They contain birth announcements, obituaries, marriage notices, legal ads, and community news. The Cape May County Library's digital collection lets you search this material from home. For questions about the project, contact K. Rose Sague at kroses@cmclibrary.org or call 609-463-6350, extension 501. Volunteers can also join to help with the digitization work.

The Cape May County Library website hosts additional research tools and links for local family history.

These newspaper records pair well with the vital records and courthouse files found at other Cape May County offices.

State Archives for Cape May Research

The New Jersey State Archives in Trenton holds records that cover all 21 counties. For Cape May County genealogy, the Archives has microfilmed vital records, colonial marriage bonds from 1666 to 1799, and probate records dating to the 1670s. Divorce records from 1743 to 1947 are also available. Military files span from the Colonial era to modern times. The Archives is at 225 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608. Call 609-292-6260 for help.

Cape May County researchers can also use searchable online databases at the Archives. These include an index to marriage records from 1666 to 1799 and another from 1848 to 1900. A death records index covers 1848 to 1900. The Archives is free to visit, though copy fees apply. It holds over 37,000 cubic feet of paper records and more than 32,000 reels of microfilm.

For Cape May County records that are not available at the local Clerk's Office, the State Archives is often the next best step.

How to Search Cape May Genealogy

Start your Cape May County genealogy search with what you know. Names, dates, and places narrow results fast. The Clerk's Office is best for deeds, mortgages, court records, and old marriage files. The Surrogate's Court has probate and estate records. The Historical and Genealogical Society holds family files and research tools. The Library has digitized newspapers. Each source fills in a different part of the picture.

Online tools help too. The Reclaim The Records project has free vital record indexes from the early 1900s on the Internet Archive. The New Jersey State Library in Trenton offers free access to Ancestry.com (Library Edition) and HeritageQuest at its reading room. The Genealogical Society of New Jersey publishes a quarterly journal and maintains cemetery transcriptions. These are useful for Cape May County research when local sources run thin.

For Cape May County genealogy, a mix of local and state resources gives the best results. You can gather key details to help with the following:

• Deeds and land transfers from 1692 to present
• Marriage records from 1795 to 1878
• Census records from 1850, 1860, 1865, and 1870
• Naturalization records from 1896 to 1964
• Probate files and wills at the Surrogate's Court
• Digitized newspapers at the Cape May County Library

Cities in Cape May County

Cape May County includes several municipalities. All genealogy records filed at the county level are maintained at the Hall of Records in Cape May Court House. Major towns include Cape May, Wildwood, Ocean City, and Sea Isle City. Each town has its own local registrar for vital records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Cape May County. If your ancestors moved within southern New Jersey, check records in neighboring counties as well. Families often crossed county lines for work, land, or marriage.