653 ½ Washington Street, Cape May, NJ| 1730colonialhouse@gmail.com | Find us on Facebook
GMCHS downloads:
By-laws (PDF) By-laws (Word document) Ethics Policy (PDF) Deed of Gift/Accession Policy (Word document)
Cape May County History Online is being developed by the CMC Library to preserve the county's print history and make it available on the library's website.
County newspapers, pamphlets, and select books are scanned, digitized, and presented online. The collection is then searchable by keyword.
If you would like to help us with this ongoing project, consider volunteering! Training and aid will be provided for all volunteers, however, please be aware that there is a lot of screen time required in this project. Please factor that into your decision to volunteer, especially if looking at computer screens for prolonged amounts of time would be an issue.
Contact K. Rose Sague for more information about the Cape May County History Online project or how to volunteer. Email: kroses@cmclibrary.org / Phone: (609) 463-6350 ext. 501.
Currently, this collection contains 4,418 issues comprising 36,234 pages.
Cape May County Clerk Rita M. Rothberg was named County Historian by the Board of Chosen Freeholders on April 14, 2015 (Res. No. 289-15). As County Historian Clerk Rothberg and her staff carry out a historical program presenting exhibits and preserving, collecting, and providing access to historical records important to Cape May County history which dates back to its formal creation on November 12, 1692, by an Act of the General Assembly of the Province of West Jersey.
The Archives of the Cape May County Clerk's Office is a climate-controlled document storage area within the Hall of Records where documents and volumes dating back to the 1690s are preserved. The Archives houses a vast collection of Cape May County property, court, and civil records as well as newspapers in hard copy and microfilm. The Cape May County Clerk's Office Archives is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Archive collections include:
Research guide compiled Bette M. Epstein, Researcher. Email: bettenjresearch@gmail.com (note guide is as of September 2024)
The State Archives is New Jersey's official research center for public records of enduring historical value. Considering that many vital records, land documents, probate records and military service papers were filed centrally by the Colony and State of New Jersey, the State Archives is a treasure trove for genealogists and historians.
The State Archives is also the official repository for microfilm of county clerks’ and surrogates’ records produced by the LDS Church and of film of local newspapers produced by the New Jersey Newspaper Project. Current holdings amount to over 37,000 cubic feet of paper records and over 32,000 reels of microfilm. Our records date from the founding of New Jersey as a British colony in 1664 up to the present.
Located at 225 West State Street in downtown Trenton, the State Archives provides assistance to thousands of researchers annually. The collections are open to the general public free of charge, although there are fees for photocopies and reprographic services. Certain collections can be searched through this site and/or by mail.
Handout: Epstein genology (PDF)
The HPC of the City of Cape May, NJ, is a body originally established in the 1960s by the City and operates under the authority of the Municipal Land Use Law of the State of New Jersey. The task of the HPC is to maintain the important heritage of the City’s historic built environment and support the continuation of Cape May’s extraordinary federal designation of the city as a National Historic Landmark. Landmark designation serves the overall welfare of the City’s citizens and visitors as an important source of tourism, grant funds, civic pride, and recognition of Cape May’s dedication to preservation.
Official Website for the City of Cape May, NJ - Historic Preservation Commission (capemaycity.com)
Property Reports are available for most properties within the designated Historic District and include a picture, description, and status designation (contributing or non-contributing). Property Reports are required to be submitted with any applications to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Visit the African American architectural history in Cape May, New Jersey. Join us as we delve into the African American heritage sites from 1846-1948 that had a foundational impact on the evolution of Cape May and its cultural heritage. We hope this visual program serves as a helpful resource for experiencing, sharing, contributing, and uncovering African American history in Cape May.
This is the official site of the Cape May County Civil War Roundtable. It is maintained by the organization to create an online resource for current members and to encourage new members to join.
The Civil War Roundtable of Cape May County (cmccwrt.com)
The Cape May County Genealogical Library offers extensive information on our county’s rich past as well as the people who forged its history. Many local families today can trace their ancestors' roots deep in our sand. With the second largest population of Mayflower descendants in the nation, Cape May County’s family lines reach back to the earliest founders. In addition to the genealogy records, their library and archives offers an unparalleled depth of information about the history of Cape May County. Family files, maps, journals and press clippings are all available to bring your search alive. Not sure where to begin? Have a specific question? Their staff is available to assist you in your search.
Museum of Cape May County (cmcmuseum.org)
LUCY is the Geographic Information System (GIS) application maintained by the NJHPO. The LUCY map is a public, interactive GIS application that includes individual historic buildings and structures, historic districts, and historic property features. The New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (HPO) provides LUCY 2.0 as an online tool New Jersey's cultural resources inventory.
LUCY 2.0 User Guide (PDF Format)
The Genealogical Society of New Jersey has a great resource “New Jersey Resources: Societies, Offices, Libraries, and Archives” that will assist you in finding sites for your research. They state that, “New Jersey has a rich, diverse history and its genealogical and historical communities are passionate about preserving and sharing it. The following state and county-level archives, genealogical societies, libraries, and historical societies are wonderful resources for researchers. Each holds many original records, documents, maps, and manuscripts in their collections.
Please also check out their Genealogy series 2024 Genealogy Webinar Series – Your Roots Pursuits.
In 2026, New Jersey, like much of the U.S., will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution through events, programs, and ceremonies. Revolution NJ is New Jersey’s official organization charged with planning and promoting our state’s commemoration. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for New Jersey to highlight its unique Revolutionary significance, the diverse stories of the people who lived at that time, and the lasting impact of our nation’s complex history.
New Jersey saw nearly 600 battles and skirmishes, which involved both soldier and citizen in a daily struggle to survive. Crossroads is dedicated to connecting the people and places of New Jersey’s rich Revolutionary heritage to inspire community pride, stewardship, and civic engagement. Meet Our Heritage Partners - Crossroads of the American Revolution (revolutionarynj.org)
Links to additional information and sites in the local area. A new window will open when viewing sites outside CapeMayHistory.org. To return to our site, please close the new browser window.
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