LIBRARY & ARCHIVES
The Van Horne Library at the Somerset County Historical Society
The Somerset County Historical Society provides a valuable collection of published and unpublished historical and genealogical materials for Somerset County and New Jersey. While our resources are limited, we are eager to assist anyone conducting genealogy research or exploring local history resources.
Library Hours:
Tuesdays: 11 AM – 3 PM
2nd & 4th Saturdays: 12 PM – 3 PM
For those unable to visit in person, we offer limited research services for a fee. Requests are processed in the order received, with a typical turnaround of 5–8 weeks. Please reach out to us via email, U.S. mail, or phone. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, preferred contact method, and payment with your request. You may also scroll to the bottom of the page to pay online.
SCHS Fee Schedule:
Research: $30 fee for two hours of genealogy research of materials in our historical archives, regardless of the results found. This research fee includes up to 10 photocopies. Additional fees for postage and extra photocopies ($0.20 per page) may apply.
Photocopies: Requests for photocopies of specific items will incur a charge of $0.20 per page plus postage, with a minimum charge of $5.00.
Photographs: Digital copies of photographs from our collection can be obtained for $15.00 per item.
Please refer to our Research Policy and Photocopy & Photo Reproduction Policy below.
Contact Information:
Research volunteers: Marian Meyer, Jackie Lubinski, Mary Jane Baker
E-mail: info@somersethistorynj.org
Mail: 9 Van Veghten Drive, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Phone: 908-218-1281
Help Us Help You
When sending an inquiry, please include your postal address and phone number—we may need to reach out with questions or clarifications. The more details you provide about the person you’re researching, the better we can assist. Include dates, names of family members, and any other helpful information.
Keep in mind that early settlers often gave sons the same name as their fathers, so just providing a name can make research very difficult. And finally, please be sure your request is for Somerset County, NJ, not Somerset County, PA.
Other Resources
All genealogy begins with family. For help interviewing your older relatives, visit https://ourpublicrecords.org/interview-elderly-relatives.
Somerset County Historical Research
$30.00
The Somerset County Historical Society conducts genealogy research on a fee basis. Our fee is $30 for up to two (2) hours of staff research time, which includes access to our extensive historical archives. These fees directly support the preservation and maintenance of our historic headquarters—over 300 years old—as well as the Howe Farm property in Colonial Park, ensuring that these vital local history resources remain available for future generations.