Patriot Sleuth Genealogy

05/30/2026

Recently, the State Archives recovered a missing 1777 New Jersey enrolled law from the Rosenbach Museum and Library in Philadelphia. The law is entitled “An Act to exempt Isaac Collins, and four Workmen to be employed in his Printing Office, from actual Service in the Militia.” Isaac Collins was a State printer, and the Revolutionary government depended on his shop to print New Jersey money and militia pay certificates, forms, laws, and other types of documents. We believe this manuscript went missing from the State House basement vaults of the Secretary of State’s Office in the 1950s, at the same time that many others were taken by a known thief. The document has been listed as missing and reported to the FBI and State Police on the State Archives “Public Records Recovery and Amnesty” website. The Director and staff of the Rosenbach learned of this and voluntarily transferred the document to the State after the Archives demonstrated that it was formerly located in the State House. We thank them for their professionalism and courtesy.

05/19/2026

The Names That Crossed the Atlantic

“Hector Passengers, 1773”

These aren’t just names on a page.

They are the people who carried Scotland across the ocean.

In 1773, the ship Hector brought Highland Scots to Nova Scotia in one of the most important migrations in Scottish diaspora history.

Families left behind land, language, and generations of Highland life carrying only what they could survive with.

Many Canadian Scottish bloodlines begin right here.



Do you recognize any surnames on this passenger list? Some families in Canada today can trace their roots directly back to the Hector.

05/19/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/featured-in-the-apriljune-2026-issue-of-share-7462152291056275456-sXX0?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAAErRCTABxkwqvYixHUvfsXpkL-kQee7sOwI&utm_campaign=copy_link

Featured in the April–June 2026 issue of NGS Magazine, “Occupational Clues to an Immigrant’s Identity: A Case Study” by Denise E. Cross, CG, highlights the value of occupational research in genealogy. The article traces William H. Engelhardt from Weissenburg, Bavaria, to New Haven, Connectic...

05/17/2026

Can you imagine a document containing 164 pages of details about your ancestor's military service in the War of 1812 and records of family births and deaths? That's exactly what this pension record contains. We are nearing the finish line of digitizing War of 1812 pension records. Check out the FREE collection here: https://f3.social/6xyt

05/14/2026

Lost an ancestor between 1880 and 1900? 🔍 You aren't alone! The 1890 Federal Census was almost entirely destroyed by fire, leaving a massive 20-year gap for researchers.

But here is the "New Jersey Advantage": The Garden State conducted its own state censuses in 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, and 1915! 📉✨

These records are an incredible resource for tracking family movement, identifying new children, and finding relatives who didn't stay in one place for long. GSNJ provides the guides and updates you need to navigate these unique state records.

Don't let the "1890 gap" stop your research. Learn how to use the NJ State Censuses: https://f.mtr.cool/mnbgzupjkh

05/14/2026

IS YOUR SCOTTISH SURNAME ON THIS MAP?

Series 2

Not every Scottish surname appears on the maps people usually share.

Scotland’s history was carried by hundreds of families across the Highlands, islands, borders, and glens—many of them less widely known today.

Names like Brodie, MacNab, Gunn, Chisholm, Napier, and Farquharson are still part of that story.

Different names. Shared roots. One Scottish heritage.



Which Scottish surname should appear on the next map? 👇

05/12/2026

Looking to connect with your roots? Patriot Sleuth Genealogy offers expert research and discovery services to help you uncover your family history. Visit our website to explore how our we can guide you through generations of stories, records, and heritage. Start your journey into the past today.

05/08/2026

We have exciting news! The New Jersey Inquisitions on the Dead, 1688-1798 are now fully indexed and available on our website. These inquests were made by county coroners when people died under suspicious circumstances.

This inquisition is into the death of William Camp, who was accidentally shot by Robert Wade on October 12, 1789 in Cape May County.

You can check out the full collection on our website here: https://wwwdnet-dos.nj.gov/DOS_ArchivesDBPortal/NJSArchivesCatalogDetail.aspx?SeriesNo=SNJSA017

05/06/2026

Access to vital record data is paramount to genealogical research.

On 4 May 2026, APG sent a letter to Massachusetts legislators opposing proposed changes to the Commonwealth’s vital records law (Section 43 of the fiscal year 2026 supplemental budget bill, H.5377) which would add sweeping new restrictions on public access to vital records. Some of the proposed re...

05/06/2026

07/25/2026 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm - Revolutionary Voices