History-seekers flock to genealogy fair
City Councilman and Vineland Historical and Antiquarian volunteer Ed Conrow (left) and R.W. Charleson of Vineland leaf through historic newspaper editions to find an obituary from Charleson's relative. Staff photo/Cody Glenn
Vineland residents went hunting for history at the Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society's first Genealogy Fair, held Saturday.
Roughly 50 locals came with family tree curiosity to seek pictures, habits and knowledge of relatives and historical Vinelanders.
The Vineland facility, which is the second-oldest historical society in the state, was established in 1864, just three years after the city of Vineland was founded.
Saturday's event was a team effort, with historical societies from Buena, Mauricetown, Clayton, Salem County and Atlantic County also participating, DJ Staff Writer Cody Glenn said.
"When we have events like this, it's not just about us opening our doors and offering these resources, it becomes a forum for people to come forward and share their own history," Frank P. Amari Jr., board of trustees president of the Historical Society said. "It's not fixed in time. There's an active element to this. It all continues to build upon itself. To see the wide range of ages, from middle school age on up, was really exciting."
Read more about the event and check out Glenn's photo gallery.