Union County Genealogy Records

Union County is in northeastern New Jersey with its county seat in Elizabeth. The county was formed in 1857 from parts of Essex County. Genealogy records in Union County include birth, death, marriage, land, and probate files. Researchers searching for family records can visit the County Clerk at the courthouse in Elizabeth, the Surrogate's office, or the Union County library system. Land records date from 1857. Military discharge records go back to 1941. These offices hold the key files for tracing your family roots in Union County.

Union County Clerk Genealogy Office

The Union County Clerk's Office is at the Courthouse, Room 115, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Call 908-527-4787 to reach the office. The Clerk holds land records from 1857 when Union County was first formed. Military discharge records date from 1941. Deeds, mortgages, and other land files are on record here.

Land records are one of the strongest tools for genealogy in Union County. Deeds show when a family bought or sold property. They list names, dates, and sometimes family connections. Mortgages can reveal financial ties between relatives. Military discharge papers filed at the Clerk's office can confirm a family member's service history. For vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, the Clerk also has files on record. Under New Jersey's Open Public Records Act, most public documents held by the Clerk are open for review and copying.

The Union County government website lists all departments and can direct you to the right office for your genealogy search.

The county website is a good starting point to find office hours, addresses, and contact details before your visit.

Probate Records in Union County

The Union County Surrogate's Office handles all probate and estate records. The office has two locations. The Elizabeth office is at 2 Broad Street, Old Annex, Second Floor, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. The Westfield office is at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North Avenue East, Westfield, NJ 07090. Phone is 908-527-4280. Email UCSurrogate@ucnj.org for questions. Both locations are by appointment only.

Probate records are a core genealogy resource. Wills name heirs and describe property. Estate inventories list belongings. Administration records show who handled the estate when there was no will. These files often name children, spouses, and other family members. The New Jersey State Archives holds microfilm copies of Union County surrogate records up to around 1900. For probate files after that date, contact the Surrogate directly at either the Elizabeth or Westfield office.

The Surrogate's staff can search estate records and help you find files tied to your family in Union County.

Note: Both Union County Surrogate locations require appointments, so call or email before you visit.

Union County Library Genealogy Resources

The Union County library system offers tools for family history research. Libraries across the county provide access to databases, old newspapers on microfilm, and local history collections. These resources help fill in the story around the facts found in official records.

Old newspapers are one of the best sources for genealogy. They hold death notices, marriage announcements, birth listings, and local news that can place your family in Union County at a specific time and place. Many libraries in Union County also offer free access to Ancestry Library Edition and other genealogy databases on their computers. Check with your local branch for what is available.

State Archives for Union County Genealogy

The New Jersey State Archives in Trenton holds vital records that cover Union County. Birth records on microfilm run from 1848 to 1923. Marriage records span 1848 to 1948. Death records cover 1848 to 1963. The search room at 225 West State Street is free to the public. Colonial marriage bonds from 1666 to 1799 are in a searchable online database.

Since Union County was formed from Essex County in 1857, earlier records for this area may be filed under Essex County at the State Archives. Probate records at the Archives date from 1670 to 1952. Land records include colonial deeds and proprietary records. The Archives holds over 37,000 cubic feet of paper and 32,000 reels of microfilm. For genealogy records not found at the county level in Union County, the State Archives is the next place to look.

The Reclaim the Records project made about 445,000 New Jersey vital record indices free online at the Internet Archive. These cover births, marriages, and deaths from the early 1900s and can point you to records held at the State Archives.

Note: Records for Union County residents before 1857 may be found under Essex County at the State Archives.

Online Genealogy Tools

Ancestry.com has New Jersey vital records, census data, and military files covering Union County families. FamilySearch offers free access to New Jersey births, marriages, and deaths from 1660 to 1980. State census records for 1855, 1865, 1895, and 1915 are also available free there. Both sites include records that predate Union County's formation in 1857.

More free tools for Union County genealogy research include:

• The NJ GenWeb Project with county genealogy pages and query boards
• The Genealogical Society of New Jersey with cemetery transcriptions and guides
• The New Jersey Digital Highway with digital collections from museums and archives

Start your search online to gather names, dates, and places. Then plan a trip to the Clerk or Surrogate in Elizabeth to view the original genealogy records for Union County.

Cities in Union County

Union County has 21 municipalities including Elizabeth, Plainfield, Union Township, Westfield, Cranford, and Summit. All genealogy records for these areas are filed through the Union County offices in Elizabeth.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Union County. If your family lived near a county line, their genealogy records may be filed in a neighboring county. Confirm the municipality before you begin your search.