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Beginnings:
The Descendants of Founders of New Jersey was founded in November, 1982, under the leadership of Organizing Governor General Harriet Stryker-Rodda.

Mrs.Stryker-Rodda was the author of numerous books, including: Understanding Colonial Handwriting; Some early records of Morris County, New Jersey, 1740-1799; Watts, 1687-1975: Ancestry and descendants of Ridley Watts, Partial ancestry of Charles Pratt (1830-1891): As published in Ancestors and descendants of Frank Lusk Babbott, Jr., M.D. and his wife Elizabeth Bassett French; Indians of Long Island before the settlers came; and, How to Climb Your Family Tree. Her wide knowledge and active nature made Mrs. Stryker-Rodda well known within the genealogy community.

 

Basics:

Membership in the society is open to men and women, 18 years of age or older, who can prove descent from a founder of New Jersey prior to 17 April, 1702  in any area which is now in the State of New Jersey, provided they subscribe to the objectives of the society.

 

We believe that the people who encouraged and financed the individual and group ventures responsible for the settlement of New Jersey are historically and genealogically as important as the settlers themselves. Thus the name for our organization was chosen to honor both the people with vision and money to back the venturers and the settlers who came to carve out a better future in a new home. 

 

The date of 17 April, 1702 was chosen because that was the date on which East Jersey and West Jersey were merged into New Jersey as a single entity. By that date basic settlement had been accomplished in the areas that now make up the State of New Jersey.

Meetings:
An Annual Meeting is held in the State of New Jersey during the month of May. The Founders' Day meeting is held in November. Exact details on times and places of events are announced by the Executive Committee, with notices sent to each member before each meeting. 

Other:
The Descendants of Founders of New Jersey is a member of the Voting Academy of the New Jersey Hall of Fame, and have recently joined the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey.