State borders did not hinder the movements of our New York ancestors. Join the NYG&B for three days of in-person research in Trenton, NJ, to explore the rich archival materials available at the New Jersey State Archives (NJSA) and the New Jersey State Library (NJSL). Before you arrive, make the most of your time in Trenton with online pre-planning activities in May 2026, including an online overview and Q&A session and an advance, personal consultation with an expert genealogist.
Following May’s pre-planning activities, participants will have three days in June of in-person assisted research and genealogical camaraderie with the people who know New Jersey best.
This unique, guided on-site tour includes personal consultations during your research at the NJSL and NJSA. Both repositories are rich in material available nowhere else pertaining to those who have lived in New Jersey. Your on-site consultants for this tour will be Michelle Dowd Torosian and Debbie Hadley.
Act now! Given the nature of this program, the number of participants is extremely limited.
Program Schedule (Subject to change)
May 2026
- Overview and Q&A Session, held online via Zoom and recorded for those unable to participate (date and time TBD). Advanced one-on-one consultation with the NYG&B (scheduled at a mutually agreeable time).
June 22, 2026
- Arrive in Trenton, NJ
June 23–25, 2026
- Individual and guided research at the New Jersey State Library and the New Jersey State Archives
- Presentation on New Jersey Research by Joan E. Betancourt (Genealogical Society of New Jersey)
- Group breakfast on Tuesday, June 23
- Social time and light hors d'oeuvres on Tuesday, June 23 and Wednesday, June 24
NJSL’s open stacks hold collections that include:
- Family histories
- New Jersey city directories
- Town, church, and county histories
- Newspapers
- Atlases and maps
NJSA holds New Jersey materials that include:
- Place name resources
- Vital records
- Censuses and similar records
- Land records
- Military records
- Naturalization records
- Court records
- Personal and family papers
Presentation Topic
- Using GSNJ Resources to Research Your New Jersey Ancestors with Joan E. Betancourt
The Genealogical Society of New Jersey (GSNJ) is a go-to source for New Jersey research. Learn about GSNJ’s many resources: publications and collections, how to use the collections, where collections are physically located, requesting research assistance, and programs.
Registration
Registration includes the program in New Jersey and consultations (transportation and accommodations are not included). Rooms are available at the Courtyard by Marriott Ewing Princeton at a special group rate, if you choose to stay there. The link to book your room at the discounted rate will be provided after registration.
- NYG&B Member Early Registration: $565 (ends March 23, 2026; after that the registration rate is $665)
- General Registration: $665
Consultant and Presenter Bios
Joan E. Betancourt is a professional genealogist and co-founder of DiscoverURhistory. She has been a Genealogical Society of New Jersey member since 2012, a trustee since 2015. Joan has served as Treasurer since 2019 and on many GSNJ committees. As a genealogist, she specializes in New Jersey, New York City, and eastern Pennsylvania research.
Debbie Hadley is a professional genealogist who specializes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York research. For clients, she works primarily on solving pre-1850 brick walls. She lectures locally and has provided research and retrieval services at the NJ State Archives and State Library for ten years. Debbie has attended numerous genealogical institutes, is a ProGen Study Group alumna, and has been published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. She is an Asbury Park native and a Rutgers University graduate, and currently resides in Central Jersey.
Michelle Dowd Torosian is a professional genealogist and founder of Torosian Genealogy, LLC. Her extensive research experience and sharp analytical skills enable her to work with clients undertaking family history research as well as probate attorneys needing forensic genealogy expertise. A former CPA, Michelle is a certificate holder from Boston University’s Genealogical Research program and the ProGen Study Group. Michelle serves as president of the Westchester County Genealogical Society and Treasurer of the Westchester County Historical Society.