Partner with the Genealogical Society of Bergen County
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Collecting COVID-19 Stories
The Bolger Heritage Center is collecting materials which document the response of our community to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
We are seeking stories from Village residents as you react to new policies and recommendations aimed to restrict the virus’ spread. One day this time will be considered history, and we wish to document and preserve the materials and stories that demonstrate how you are continuing to communicate, work, commute, learn, use the Library, teach, create, celebrate, mourn, and give aid to others.
To read and see the stories submitted so far, please click here.
Local History & Genealogy Events:
Bolger Heritage Center Events:
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Monday, May 17 at 7pm Virtual Webinar: Developing Skills in Identifying 19th Century Photographs. Guest speaker Anthony Cavo will lead the discussion on how to identify the different types of photographs most commonly produced between 1840 and 1900 and how these images were impacted by mores, morals, inequity, and customs of the day and a brief discussion on why the sitter's expressions appear somber. Registration required, please click here.
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Tuesday, June 8 at 10;30am Virtual Class: The Ridgewood News Digitized. Have you been searching in vain for Great-Aunt Edna's obituary? Curious if your Dad scored as many touchdowns as he said he did for the Ridgewood Maroons back in the 60's? Well now you can by searching the Ridgewood News from 1891-present day on Newspapers.com. Learn how to find that obituary, news on sports, or the headlines from different time periods. Registration required, please click here.
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Wednesday, June 16 at 7pm Virtual Program: Always Bee Curious. Join us for an evening with Frank the Beeman, talk about his celebrated new book "Bee People and the Bugs They Love". Learn about the history of bees from the local author, why they're important and what can be done to protect them. Buy your copy at our outdoor book sale and signing (weather permitting) Saturday June 12 from 10am-12pm. Copies are also available at Bookends in Ridgewood. Registration required, please click here.
GSBC Meetings/Events
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Monday, May 10 at 2pm Virtual Webinar: Stitches in Time, Quilts 1800-1976. This presentation features quilts selected for the Bergen County Quilt and Coverlet Show (postponed, but hopefully to be rescheduled soon) and explores the great variety of quilts from 1800 to 1976—especially those made in Bergen County. Quilts tell stories about women, their families, and their communities and can enrich our genealogy. Presented by Peggy W. Norris. Registration required, please click here.
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Monday, June 14 at 2pm Virtual Webinar: Genealogy Research Stories, Women of New Jersey. Regina Fitzpatrick, Genealogy Librarian at the New Jersey State Library, will share stories of some remarkable women who lived in colonial New Jersey. She will also discuss the research involved in tracking down these women and how that can apply to your genealogical research of New Jersey women in your family tree. Registration required, please click here.
Genealogy Consultations:
Have any genealogical brick walls you need help with? You can now email the Genealogical Society of Bergen County directly to set up an appointment. What’s more, you can make an appointment with a genealogy consultant, who has expertise in exactly what you’re researching: Bergen County, New York City, New Jersey, census records, archival newspapers, etc. And if you need help using a specific database, they can help with that as well, be it Ancestry Library Edition, familysearch.org, or just internet genealogy in general.
Appointments will be conducted through the “Zoom” platform, at any time convenient for both you and the genealogist.
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To make an appointment, email the Society at gsbc.queries@gmail.com.
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To see the areas of expertise, please click here.
Did you know?
Through the Ridgewood Public Library you have remote access to, Newspaper Archive, an online resource for historical and genealogical information. You'll have access to newspapers from 12 countries, including United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, China, more, 1607-present. Explore your family tree and discover your history at NewspaperARCHIVE.com.
Contact for remote access details.
Storytellers @RPL Oral History Project
Objectives are:
· To record residents’ life stories and significant memories.
· To identify and preserve the history of the community.
· To document Ridgewood family life, community organizations and record historical moments.
How do I participate?
If you are interested in being interviewed or you know someone who is,
please contact Librarian Sarah Kiefer in the Bolger Heritage Center:
or 201-670-5600 x135
Volunteer Genealogy Consultants from the Genealogical Society of Bergen County
For Reference Assistance or an Appointment contact Local History Librarian, Sarah Kiefer
-- 201.670.5600, ext. 135
The Ridgewood Public Library is partially open to the public.
Please contact Local History Librarian Sarah Kiefer to schedule an appointment
to visit the Bolger Heritage Center: skiefer@ridgewoodlibrary.org.
Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 7 pm
Friday, 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm
Sunday, 1 pm - 5 pm
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A VISIT
Communicating with Heritage Center staff is always helpful before a visit. You know what to expect and we can prepare for your visit. Call: 201-670-5600, ext. 135 OR email:
Advance planning is required for MAPS, ARCHIVES, RIDGEWOOD HOUSE HISTORY RESEARCH.
No advance planning is required for use of genealogy databases (on your own), books, periodicals, and CDs in the Bolger Heritage Center, or for use of any of our resources on microfilm (newspapers, NJ State Census for Bergen County, Ridgewood city directiories).
Interested in a tour? Local History Librarian Sarah Kiefer provided a virtual tour of the BHC and you can now watch the video here. As we are partially re-opened, you can also schedule a time to meet with Sarah.