The Salem County Historical Society is one of the best places to start your genealogical research. Besides its museum holdings, the Society has a extensive library and archives, ideal for searching for ancestors. Address: 83 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079 Phone: 856-935-5004 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-4pm.

Located in historic Greenwich, the Cumberland County Historical Society includes the Warren and Reba Lummis Genealogical & Historical Research Library, which is a wonderful resource of Cumberland County documents and genealogy. Location: 981 Ye Greate Street, Greenwich, NJ 08323 Phone: 856-455-8580 Hours: Wednesday 10am-4pm; Saturday & Sunday 1pm-4pm.

The Gloucester County Historical Society Library has an extensive collection of material pertaining to Salem County as well as Gloucester County. A few highlights are their family files, published genealogies, newspapers, and many books for sale. This is definitely a primary place to do research. Location: 17 Hunter Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096 Phone: 856-845-4771 Hours: Tuesday 6pm-9:30pm; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10am-4pm; First Saturday of each month (Oct.-May) 10am-4pm; Last Sunday of each month 2-5pm.

The Alloway History Museum is a new collection located on the second floor of the Alloway Municipal Building in historic Alloway. Location: 49 South Greenwich Street, Alloway, NJ 08001 Phone: 856-769-2632 Hours: First Saturday of each month 9am-12pm

The Greater Elmer Area Historical Society, Serving Elmer Borough, Pittsgrove Township, and Upper Pittsgrove Township, now has a museum and research library. The meetings are held at 6:30pm on the Third Thursday of each month, with an open house at the museum from 10am-2pm on the Second Saturday of each month. Location: 117 Broad Street, Elmer NJ. For more information, email greaterelmerareahistory@gmail.com or call 856-358-6171. Hours: Second Saturday of each month 10am-2pm.

The Hancock House in Hancocks Bridge is an official New Jersey State Historic Site. The site of a Revolutionary War massacre, this museum contains many Lower Alloways Creek artifacts and a small amount of genealogical data. The annual massacre reenactment and the Cornelia Hancock Civil War weekend are memorable events to show what life was like in Salem County during previous centuries. Location: 3 Front Street, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 Phone: 856-935-4373 Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 1pm-pm. (For more Lower Alloways Creek resources, visit the nearby municipal building or the Log Cabin on Smick Road.)

The Lower Alloways Creek Historic Log Cabin Museum contains local artifacts and a small amount of genealogical information. Location: 736 Smick Road, Canton, NJ 08001 Phone: 856-935-1549 Hours: Third Sunday of the spring and fall months 1pm-4pm. (For more Lower Alloways Creek records, visit the Hancock House or the LAC Municipal Building in Hancocks Bridge.)

The Historical Society of Penns Grove, Carneys Point, and Oldmans specializes in the history of the Upper Penns Neck region of Salem County. The Society includes a museum and local history archives. Location: 48 W. Main Street, Penns Grove, NJ 08069 Phone: 856-299-1556 Hours: Sunday 1pm-3pm

The Pennsville Township Historical Society is located at the Church Landing Farm along the Delaware River. The museum includes an old farmhouse, a floating cabin, relics of Riverview Beach Park, and other antique items. There is also a library for genealogical research. Location: 86 Church Landing Road, Pennsville, NJ 08070 Phone: 856-678-4453 Hours: Wednesday and Sunday 1pm-3pm

The Pilesgrove-Woodstown Historical Society is located in a historic house in Woodstown, which includes both a museum and a research library. The archives of the Genealogical Society of Salem County are stored at this location. Location: 42 North Main Street, Woodstown, NJ 08098 Phone: 856-769-4588 Hours: Saturday 10am-1pm

The Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society was founded in 1864, making it the oldest local historical society in New Jersey. It has a vast collection, including items from throughout Cumberland County and neighboring counties like Salem County. Location: 108 South Seventh Street, Vineland, New Jersey 08362 Phone: 856-691-1111 Hours: Saturday 1pm-4pm (to research in the library, call the office Tuesday-Saturday 1pm-4pm one week in advance).

The Oak Tree Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution is based in Salem County, New Jersey. If you are descended from a Revolutionary War veteran, contact the DAR to learn how you can join!

The Greenwich Tea Burning Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is based in Bridgeton, New Jersey for Revolutionary War descendants who live in Cumberland County. Visit the website to learn how to join!

The best day trip for a New Jersey genealogist is a visit to the New Jersey State Archives! This is the easiest place to find vital records like birth and death certificates, since the municipalities often don't provide easy access to the local records. The staff is very helpful and collection is superb. Enjoy your trip! Location: 225 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625 Phone: 609-292-6260 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:15pm.

For a truly adventurous day trip, visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C., only a few hours from Salem County, New Jersey. Or visit the archives' locations in Philadelphia or New York City. You never know what treasures you may find!