Need recommendations for NJ historic map resources

I'm trying to find historic maps of Hunterdon County, specifically the type of map that show the locations of homes.  I've found two online so far, one from 1873 and a second one from 1851.  That seems to be as far as I can go online.  Any brick and mortar resources I can try, libraries or colleges maybe?


You might try the Hunterdon County Historical Society and see if they have any.

http://hunterdonhistory.org


I am not sure if you want to go earlier or later. You can try Sanborn (fire insurance) maps through Princeton University. http://library.princeton.edu/libraries/firestone/rbsc/aids/sanborn/sanborn-web.htm

Rutgers Cartography Lab has some maps. http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/HUNTERDON_COUNTY/OldHunterdon.html

You could also try contacting Princeton Library, Rutgers Cartography Lab, NJ Historical Society, NJ State Library in person.


If you go to Hunterton Cty official web site, and then Facts & Figures, there is a link to county history.  That book might give you some further leads.



This is amazing.  Thank you for all the great resources.


From research I've done in other areas, personally I'd head over to (or call) whatever the main library branch is in Flemington, the county seat of Hunterdon County. They probably have a room full of old surveys, city directories, tax maps and other goodies that may never be digitized. 



tom said:

From research I've done in other areas, personally I'd head over to (or call) whatever the main library branch is in Flemington, the county seat of Hunterdon County. They probably have a room full of old surveys, city directories, tax maps and other goodies that may never be digitized. 

It sure looks like there is a vast store of information through the Hunterdon County Historical Society.

"The Hiram E. Deats Memorial Library, located at 114 Main Street in Flemington, New Jersey, is the largest collection of Hunterdon County historical and genealogical material. It is open to researchers at no charge. Some of the collections are housed in the Society’s off-site archive so please e-mail or call ahead to be certain they are available for your visit. Refer to the library collection list below and go to the archive tab to view the Society’s manuscript holdings."

http://hunterdonhistory.org/facilities/research-library/


Thank you for the resources.  I haven't had a chance to check each and every one out yet, but unfortunately it appears my best bet is to abandon the map search (it was easy to do, but obviously limited in what information is available) and instead go to the county seat and research the deed.

The house is supposedly from 1900, but too many details point to earlier.  One relative who is very familiar with American history and has toured a gazillion old houses said she felt it was probably from the 1830's.  Finding a structure at the same location on the 1873 map and again on the 1851 map points to her being correct. 

The million dollar question is, if an extensive search through previous deeds shows that the home is much older than 1900 is it worth correcting with the records, what are the advantages or disadvantages. And if applying for homeowner's insurance, will an earlier date make it more expensive, or not effect the rate.  As of right now I can't *prove* that the home on the maps are the same home there now, so I still have plausible deniability if I leave it as is and allow the 1900 date to stand.  Sure, I *think* it is earlier, but I'm not a construction expert.

ETA:  Turns out there is no difference between 1900 and anything prior, or at least with NJM there isn't.  Other companies may be different.  But apparently with NJM their computer systems only have drop down menus that go back to 1900 so anything built prior is considered the same for coverage purposes.


The biggest advantage / disadvantage would be a possible historic designation. Something to look into.



The million dollar question is, if an extensive search through previous deeds shows that the home is much older than 1900 is it worth correcting with the records, what are the advantages or disadvantages. And if applying for homeowner's insurance, will an earlier date make it more expensive, or not effect the rate.  As of right now I can't *prove* that the home on the maps are the same home there now, so I still have plausible deniability if I leave it as is and allow the 1900 date to stand.  Sure, I *think* it is earlier, but I'm not a construction expert.


I will look into that, but I believe you need more than an older date to be designated historic. 


I know in Millburn there was an old farmhouse on Orchard St that was built in 1800. They tore that down and threw up a 2 family investment property in its place, so I’m guessing the date constructed alone isn’t enough to give legal protections to a home


@spontaneous you made the right call focusing on researching the available county and municipality deed and tax records.  I have more ideas below.  The detailed maps discussed that show every structure are known as fire insurance maps.  The first such American atlas was compiled for New York City in 1852.  Rural locations like Hunterdon County generally weren't covered.  Though immensely fascinating as historical documents, they obviously can't provide data from before they existed.  

As for potential historic eligibility, most agencies that designate structures use 50 years as a minimum age.  So the house already meets that criteria.  However, the only determination that would in any way affect your property rights is if the house is designated as a local landmark by the municipality's Historic Preservation Commission.  National Register of Historic Places listing places no restrictions on private owners.  Only 25% of the town in NJ have a HPC, so that's the first question to answer.  This page from the NJ Historic Preservation Office has a link at the bottom that's last revised in 1999 (therefore missing Maplewood and SO for example) but I don't know of a more up to date source.  If the town's not on the list, its website will always say if they have a HPC.  They would also be an excellent source, as would the town's historical society if one exists, for research.  

http://www.nj.gov/dep/hpo/3preserve/local.htm


Looks like your comment got cut off.  I doubt this house would qualify as a historic structure. It's old, but that's it.  It doesn't have any historical significance that I can tell, though I do have the names of the owners from the 1873 map and the 1851.  Nice trivia, but nothing more



spontaneous said:

Looks like your comment got cut off.  I doubt this house would qualify as a historic structure. It's old, but that's it.  It doesn't have any historical significance that I can tell, though I do have the names of the owners from the 1873 map and the 1851.  Nice trivia, but nothing more

Very true!  Just a building's 100 or more years old, it doesn't necessarily have any historic significance.  


You can try the Hunterdon County Hall of Records- also there is a Facebook page Ladies of Hunterdon county that is useful



softparade said:

You can try the Hunterdon County Hall of Records- also there is a Facebook page Ladies of Hunterdon county that is useful

I actually signed up for the course listed on that flyer, it is this Saturday. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can learn from that


Years ago we went to the Essex Co hall of records to find some info on a deed. The employees, while friendly, weren’t very helpful and didn’t seem to know how to find stuff, the one woman couldn’t help us locate what we were looking for and was convinced that maybe there was just no record of the property. But one of the title searchers there had some free time and helped us out. THOSE people know how to find anything and everything related to deeds and easements. 


There are some insurance companies that ask you to estimate the age of your house.  If you estimate older than, say, 1900, they won't write the policy.  I had that problem with my current house.


I'm not sure which municipality you are looking in, but there is one very useful map that wasn't mentioned: Matthew Hughes 1860 Farm Map of Alexandria Twp. At that time Alexandria included what is now Frenchtown, Milford, Holland and Alexandria. This map is very accurate in showing the lot size, shape and location of structures. It can be seen at the HCHS, Hunterdon County Library and the Holland Twp. Historic Preservation Commission.

Deeds are for the property and usually don't mention structures. However, old wills sometimes include inventories, which do list dwellings, barns and much more.

If this house doesn't 'look' that old, it's not uncommon for an older building to be buried within the existing structure. An architectural historian could help you with an accurate date or dates.

I was curious as to whether there are any existing outbuildings or evidence of them. How about a cistern?

Good luck with your research.



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