This is a summary of benefits of membership in the Genealogy Society of Bergen County, N.J. (GSBC). The society's quarterly newsletter (The Archivist) and its library collection, combined with queries, can help those living far from New Jersey in searching for Bergen County roots. Those who live close, can make use of the GSBC’s library resources, programs, classes, and other activities as described below.
Membership benefits include:
Eight or more Monday Evening Programs & Two or more Workshop Sessions
Four Issues of our newsletter: The Archivist
Free use of the Library including AncestryPlus &
HeritageQuest
Consultation with Library Patron Assistants
Genealogy Classes
Submission of four Queries each year
Use of the Surname Index and Family
Files
Field Trips to nearby Research Facilities
Discuss questions with other member genealogists
The GSBC meets on the fourth Monday of every month (except December and Holidays) at 7:00 pm. Generally, a short business meeting is followed by a lecturer who discusses various aspects of genealogical research. Workshops are featured in July and August where members can discuss their genealogical problems, learn new skills, share information under the guidance of experienced researchers, and use the library facilities. All meetings and workshops are held in the Ridgewood Public Library auditorium.
The GSBC newsletter, The Archivist, is mailed in February, May, August and November to all members. It includes a schedule of meetings, seminars, and other scheduled events of the GSBC and other nearby societies, articles relating to research in Bergen County, queries and responses, listings of various records of general interest, and other interesting information and helpful hints.
The society has an ever expanding library collection that is located at the Ridgewood Public Library. This collection of genealogies, books, periodicals, newsletters, journals, and CD's generally concentrates on Bergen County and its surrounding areas. However, an increasing number of reference materials covering basic genealogy, and research in the United States and other parts of the world are continually being added. The GSBC collection augments the Ridgewood Library's own impressive collection of local history and genealogy references. The collection is open during normal library hours.
AncestryPlus - The society has joined
together with the Ridgewood Library and a contributing member to subscribe
to this service; providing online access at the library to 1 billion names
and the US census records.
HeritageQuest - The society has subscribed
to this service, providing online access t the library to the US census records
on this service as well as to their large collection of online books.
Members of the GSBC are available at the library to assist in genealogical research generally on two days each week at pre-announced times.
Genealogy & Family History Classes
The society conducts a nine-week evening genealogy class in the Ridgewood Community School. This course provides basic and intermediate research tools to help uncover your family history. Topics include vital records, censuses, oral traditions, computer genealogy, introduction to internet research, preservation of family artifacts, and more.
Also, a four week basic genealogy course is taught at the Bergen Community College in the Institute for Learning in Retirement.
There are course fees for both of these classes. Students enrolling in these classes receive a free year's membership in the GSBC.
Computer Use Classes
These classes, which are free to GSBC members, provide “hands-on” training using the Ridgewood Library's Technology Training Center. Recent topics include use of AncestryPlus, Internet Genealogy, Computer Genealogy Programs (such as Family Tree Maker), Researching Census Records, Ellis Island On-Line Records, and Scanning for Genealogists.
Computer Special Interest Group (SIG)
Members may sign up for this group to interact with other members to discuss topics of common interest regarding genealogy programs, use of the Internet for genealogy research, etc.
Members of the GSBC may submit four queries each year (Free to Members). Queries will be published in the Archivist and may also be researched by the GSBC Library Patron Volunteer Staff members as time permits. Replies to the queries may also be published in the Archivist. Queries may be submitted by mail or via the GSBC Web Page.
The GSBC maintains a list of Surnames and Family Files provided by GSBC members to provide a means for members to connect with others researching these same names. Over 4,000 names are available on this Surname Index. All members are encouraged to provide the surnames that they are researching so they can be added to this list. This index is available at the library and is also posted on the GSBC Web Page.
Members are also encouraged to submit family group sheets, family trees, or other information for inclusion in the Family Files. These are maintained at the library as a database for others to research. These files are presently being entered into a genealogy computer program to facilitate searching and to provide remote access.
Field trips are generally made by members on an unscheduled basis to any of the many nearby genealogical research facilities. The individuals who make these field trips usually invite other members to join them. This is a good way for new members to learn about going to and using these research facilities as well as providing company on these trips. Announcements of such trips are normally made at the monthly GSBC meetings.
Volunteering, enables members who are beginners in genealogy, to acquire
skills and knowledge by working with others. Volunteers
also enable the GSBC to function as an organization.
All of our officers, committee members, and others serve without compensation. The GSBC needs volunteers to continue to provide the services as previously discussed. Members who can give only a small amount of time are welcome to participate in an activity of interest.