July 26, 2023
MANALAPAN, NJ – Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon has announced the recent acquisition of a special historic records collection from County Surrogate Maureen T. Raisch for permanent housing at the Archives Division of the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.
The 67 Proceedings Books and 32 Russell Index Books contain some of the Surrogate’s earliest records including estate, guardianship, adoption, and court proceeding documents dating back to the 1700s. The transfer of these record books to the Archives Division in Manalapan will ensure that the precious collection is properly stored and preserved for generations to come.
“The digitization of our multi-volume Russell Index collection was a years-long endeavor that began in 2016, under the direction of my predecessor Rosemarie D. Peters,” said Surrogate Raisch. “I am so appreciative of our staff members for their hard work in completing this important project and am grateful to County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon for agreeing to preserve these original books for generations to come.”
“These books hold a tremendous amount of history from the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office, and the Archives Division of the County Clerk’s Office is proud to acquire and to properly care for these collections,” said Clerk Hanlon. “Moving these books to the Archives will protect the court proceeding documents and the more than 162,000 cases listed in the multi-volume Russell Index books from light, dust and unnecessary handling.”
“I want to thank Surrogate Maureen Raisch for entrusting my office to store and preserve her office’s precious record books,” said Clerk Hanlon. “Thank you also to my Archives Division Head Gregg Gaal for overseeing the transfer of these precious records to the Archives facility located in Manalapan,” said Clerk Hanlon.
The mission of the Monmouth County Archives is to preserve, organize, and provide public access to millions of Monmouth County government records that are of enduring historic value. The records are stored at the Archives facility in Manalapan on a permanent basis.
For more information about Monmouth County Archives, please visit our website at MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives.
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Click here for the downloadable PDF version of this press release.
PRESS CONTACT: JENNIFER COLLINS
PHONE: 732-431-7324 ext. 8735
EMAIL: jennifer.collins@co.monmouth.nj.us
