Woodbridge Local History & Genealogical Information

Newspaper Archive | Oral History Project | Digital Archives | Research Databases | Watching Woodbridge History

The Woodbridge Library has a special collection of local history materials, photographs and limited genealogical information. Access to this collection is by appointment only. To make an appointment or to make local history inquiries, call Lynn Bolmer at 732-634-4450 ext. 7132 or e-mail her at . AncestryPlus is available at the Main and branch libraries.

Online Newspaper Archive

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Access nearly 100 years of Woodbridge history through our online newspaper archive. Search the digital images using OCR technology (search results will vary depending on image quality) or browse through a chronological listing of Woodbridge's historic newspapers. For additional assistance, please contact the Reference desk at wplref@woodbridgelibrary.org, 732-634-4450 x7121.

Words of Woodbridge Oral History Project

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Listen to and search transcripts of the memories of Woodbridge Seniors as they recall their childhoods and changes they witnessed in the Township over the 20th century. Long interested in history education and local history preservation, Councilwoman Brenda Velasco conceived of and has carried out a monumental project to capture the memories of many of the Township's oldest residents.

The Woodbridge Township Oral History archive is made up of two collections; oral histories collection by Councilwoman Brenda Velasco from 2008 through the present and interviews conducted by CETA volunteers in the 1970s.


Councilwoman Velasco, on the Oral History Project...

I wanted to capture this snapshot of history. No textbook adequately could describe the wrenching changes experienced from having open spaces with cows and orchards in backyards on Main Street to one of the most densely populated townships in the state of New Jersey. This transformation was a microcosm of what America experienced: the waves of Southern and Eastern European immigration, heavy industrialization-coal, petroleum and railroad, the growth of suburbia, the expansion of its infrastructure-highways, parkways, turnpikes, Metropark, etc.
Continue reading about the Oral History Project

Woodbridge Local History Digital Archives

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Ever wanted to see a race program from the Woodbridge Speedway from the 1930s? Peruse 16 years of Town Council meeting minutes from 1934 to 1950? Flip through anniversary booklets from your church, fire department and other community organizations? Read a nineteenth century history of Union and Middlesex Counties? You can enjoy these and more in our Local History Digital Archives.

Through a generous grant from the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and support from the library cooperative Lyrasis and the Sloan Foundation, Woodbridge Public Library has been able to digitize over 70 unique local history items. A joint initiative with the Woodbridge Municipal Clerk's Office resulted in the inclusion of the Council Minutes in the archive.

Online Local History Research Databases

Sanborn Geocoded Maps - New Jersey Edition

Searchable database of the fire insurance maps published by the Sanborn Map Company covering parts of many New Jersey towns from the 1890s through the 1950s.

WPL has many additional online information sources available for historical research and more!

Watching Woodbridge History

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Woodbridge Public Library invites you to join us in Watching Woodbridge History. Thanks to the generous cooperation of The Woodbridge Channels, WPL is able to offer online viewing of many of the fine programs they have produced about the unique history of our area. So, pop some popcorn, make yourself comfortable and sit back and enjoy Watching Woodbridge History!

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