Gail Benson: Buena Historical Society

BUENA HISTORICAL SOCIETY…….

USING THE ONLINE ATLANTIC COUNTY LIBRARY FOR HISTORY

By Gail Benson

I have used the Special Collections portion of the Atlantic County Library website for ideas for this column.  As I was doing that this morning, I thought I should probably just tell you about this fine online source.

The website is www.atlanticlibrary.org   In the left margin, you can choose Special Collections, which will take you to the digitized collections of the library. On the main page, each topic gives you an overview of the collection. They include: Egg Harbor City German Project.  Funding was used to digitize photos and documents dealing with the history of Egg Harbor City.  Also, from that page, you can click through to the New Jersey Digital Highway. 

Newspapers.  Eleven newspapers are included and they date from the 1860’s to 1923.  By choosing a newspaper, you can see what issues are available to view.

This collection can be searched, although I have had some problems locating the search result in the actual newspaper on occasion.

Immigration Records.  This collection may be searched, but you may also choose a letter to look at all records that begin with that letter.  Collection covers 1850-1930, and you might get some interesting information.  For example, the 1909 Declaration of Intention for William Henry Chamberlain of Newtonville, Buena Vista Township, indicates, by town, where he was born in Worcestershire, England and where he last lived.  Also, his arrival into the Port of Philadelphia in 1904 is documented.

Civil War Era Records links to Civil War era newspapers as well as muster out records for soldiers who served in the Civil War.  The soldier’s name and residence is listed, and, from there, you can look at the information in the log book.  Buena Vista Township didn’t exist in 1865, but that area was known as Buena Vista.  The only soldier for which Buena Vista is listed as a residence is Watson Turpin, although others who lived in this area may have listed Hamilton Township as home.

Wills, Orphans Court, Letters of Administration.  We are told the collection dates from 1837 (when Atlantic County was formed) to 1921.  Again, you can search the collection for a particular name.

Another choice along the left side is Online Rsources.  This takes you to an extensive list of databases that you may access.  Heritage Quest Online is one that is history-oriented.  You will need to enter the number on the back of your Atlantic County Library Card when asked.  Heritage Quest allows searches for people, places, and census records, although 1930 is not complete. 

Enjoy yourself as you browse this collection, and remember, if you have any information for us, you can email buenahistorical@gmail.com or contact us by regular mail at P. O. Box 114, Buena, NJ 08310

Buena Historical Society meets on the third Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Buena Vista Township Municipal Building, Route 40, Buena.  Meetings for the remainder of this year are September 16, October 21, and November 18.  Please join us.