The dates give in the titles of each book are those found on the original books. However, these dates do not represent the years in which the land sales, purchases, and the deeds took place. In many cases, the actual deeds in these books are much earlier-with some dating or referring to deeds of the 1600s Do not depend upon the book dates when searching for the earliest date of your ancestor's purchase or sale of property. This series covers the counties of Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset. Although Bergen County was a part of East New Jersey, the majority of their records for this period were recorded at the county courthouse. However, some Bergen Co. deeds are recorded here while others make references to Bergen Co. names within the deed's description.