Collection Management

The New Jersey State Archives is the state’s official repository for all public records of enduring historical value. The greater part of the collection consists of records created by offices, agencies and departments of the State and Colony of New Jersey. In addition, the Archives holds certain county, municipal and federal government records, as well as selected non-governmental records. Link to our Collecting Policy to review the guidelines used by the State Archives in the development of the collection.

For information about missing or alienated public records of the State of New Jersey (including colonial records), the State Archives’ statutory authority with regard to them, and procedures for their voluntary return, please consult our page on Missing or Alienated Public Records

The table below summarizes the Archives’ holdings at present. Cubic-feet totals may include unprocessed accessions as well as cataloged record series. Researchers should note that the dates provided reflect the earliest and most recent records in the entire record group; date ranges of specific series will vary.

1. Includes manuscript collections and indexes of the former Bureau of Archives and History; departmental records are post-1900.
2. Includes manuscripts from state historic sites; majority of records are post-1915.
3. Includes transcripts of early road returns; majority of records are post-1917.
4. Majority are pre-1900.
5. Majority are pre-1950.
6. Includes some indexes to manuscript collections; majority of records are post-1680.

Questions or concerns? Please contact Donald Cornelius.