I like using my ancestor’s address to learn more about their lives. Sometimes you can plug an old address into Zillow or Google maps and discover that the house is still standing. When it’s not, sometimes the address still exists and you discover it’s been turned into something else.
Other times, the entire structure is gone and the lot is empty. In the case of Slater house, Zillow had no advice and Google Maps showed me that Slater Street was swallowed up for the construction of i80, which I later learned is called the Christopher Columbus highway in New Jersey.
I was able to find some maps online, the Insurance maps were a great resource. I also found maps through the Library of Congress, as well as at the University of Minnesota’s John R. Borchert’s Map Library, which is the most fabulous place to visit.
I know the house was standing and occupied from maybe 1875. My ancestors moved there in 1890 (from 41 Washington, also in Paterson) and I have records spanning through to 1950, I believe the freeway was built in the 70’s. I have no idea what happened in between that time but I am learning. n