Many New York public libraries will be offering a variety of genealogy programs December.
Week of Dec. 3 – 9
Palmyra Community Library (Wayne County) will host “Genealogy and Ancestry.com Help” every Tuesday in December at 6 p.m. Get one-on-one help with your genealogy and Ancestry problems. Beginner to advanced level questions welcome. Please book a 1 hour time slot. You must bring your own laptop/tablet to the appointment. One will not be provided for you. To register, go to: https://owwl.libcal.com/calendar/palmyracommunitylibrary?t=d&q=genealogy&cid=13331&cal=13331&inc=0
The Walworth Seeley Public Library (Wayne County) provides genealogy assistance every Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. For more information, go to: https://www.walworthlibrary.org/genealogy-local-history.
Chatham Public Library (Columbia County) “Chatham Roots” club meets the first Thursday of the month from 2-3 p.m. For beginners, experts and everyone in between. Work on those elusive ancestors, break down your brick walls, share tips and tricks and just have fun. For more information, email michelle@leclairdesign.com.
The South Huntington Library (Suffolk County) offers a Genealogy Drop-In the first Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. Thinking about tracing your roots but don’t know where to start? Retired librarian PJ will be on hand to show you how you can access free genealogical resources, including Ancestry, through the library and to offer search tips and advice. No registration necessary.
Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library (Saratoga County) offers genealogy assistance the first Thursday of the month at 11 a.m. A genealogy researcher will help you with your questions, roadblocks, and other stumpers.
New York Public Library will present “Getting Started with Jewish Genealogy” on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. Learn the initial steps of Jewish genealogical research. This session will focus on genealogy basics, resources in the Local History and Genealogy collection, and utilizing online databases. To register, go to: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2023/12/05/getting-started-jewish-genealogy-local-history-and-genealogy-collections
The Rogers Memorial Library (Suffolk County) will host a Genealogy One-on-One on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 12:30 p.m. Are you looking to begin your family genealogy research journey? Book a 1-on-1 appointment with the Local History Reference Librarian for a 45 minute session. Call the reference desk at 631-283-0774 ext. 505 with any questions.
New York Public Library will present “Next Steps in Jewish Genealogy” on Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. Learn about the resources located within the Dorot Jewish Division at NYPL, as well as materials specific to Jewish subjects that could assist in providing context to your discoveries. To register, go to: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2023/12/06/next-steps-jewish-genealogy-exploring-jewish-resources
The Longwood Public Library (Suffolk County) will have a Genealogy Drop-In on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 2- 3 p.m. Are you thinking about tracing your roots but don’t know where to start? Or maybe your search is underway, and you’ve hit a dead end. Learn how to access free genealogical resources, including Ancestry, through the library No registration is required.
Week of Dec. 10 – 16
The Interlaken Public Library (Seneca County) will offer a virtual Genealogy Meetup on the second Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. You must register to receive the link for the Zoom program. To register, go to: https://interlakenpubliclibrary.org/event/genealogy-meetup/
The Guilderland Public Library (Albany County) will present “Introduction to Ancestry.com Library Edition” on Monday, Dec. 11 at 12:30 p.m. Did you know that you can use Ancestry.com free of charge right in your local library? Join professional genealogist Lisa Dougherty on Zoom for some tips on how to utilize this vast resource. To register, go to: https://guilderland.librarycalendar.com/event/introduction-ancestry-library-edition-zoom-genealogist-lisa-dougherty-10302
Glen Cove Public Library (Nassau County) will present a Genealogy Round Table meeting on Monday, Dec. 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. Small groups meet monthly to share strategies and encourage one another on their research journey. All levels of researchers are welcome.
Longwood Public Library (Suffolk County) will present “Ask A Genealogist” on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m. Need help researching your family tree? Reserve time with a genealogy librarian for free one-on-one genealogy research help. Appointments are 50 minutes long. Call (631) 924-6400 Ext. 250 for an appointment. No walk-ins.
The Guilderland Public Library (Albany County) will offer One-on-One genealogy consultations on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This is a drop-in session, no need to register.
Buffalo and Erie Public Library will present “HeritageQuest Helper” on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. HeritageQuest Online is a genealogy database available at the library and from home with a B&ECPL card. It includes valuable family history content such as U.S. federal census records, city directories, Revolutionary War pension files, Freedmen’s Bank Records, and thousands of family and local history books. This is a live demonstration via Zoom. To register, https://buffalolib.libcal.com/event/11132195
The Steele Memorial Library will present a Genealogy Lab on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 1:30 p.m. Search for your family tree on Steele Library computers in the PC Lab. Use our resources: Ancestry library edition, Fold3, Newspapers.com library edition, and more. Stop in and ask our genealogy staff a question about finding your ancestors. This class is free, but please register.
To register, call 607-733-9175.
Rochester Public Library will present “Family Finder Genealogy Club” on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Library. Are you a fan of family history? Do you wonder who your ancestors were and how you can learn more about them? Whether you are an experienced researcher or just starting out, join our informal monthly gathering. Explore your questions, share your discoveries, and research your family’s past alongside fellow ancestry seekers. Registration is recommended but not required.
The Geneva Public Library (Ontario County) will host a Genealogy Research Roundtable on Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon. Get together with others who are interested in family tree research. Stumped? Other attendees and a library staff member can help you find what you are looking for. Just starting out? Attendees will be glad to show you tools you need to being your journey. All skill levels are welcome.
Week of Dec. 17 – 23, 2023
The Fairport Public Library (Monroe County) will present “Ancestry.com Questions and Answers” on Monday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. at the library. You don’t have to have a paid subscription to Ancestry.com to utilize its many valuable resources. Are you thinking about taking a DNA test or wondering how to evaluate the results? Bring your questions and join us for an open discussion about this valuable resource.
Buffalo & Erie Public Library will have volunteers from the Western New York Genealogical Society in the Zintz Library Collection on Tuesday, Dec. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to assist patrons with their genealogy work.
Glen Cove Public Library (Nassau County) will present “Adoption and the Search for Biological Family” on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. Learn strategies to help uncover ideas and to employ useful tools in searching for your biological family including adoption agencies, applying for information, DNA testing and adoption records registry. To register, go to: https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=GLENCOVE&curID=650127
The Comsewogue Public Library (Suffolk County) will have One-on-One appointments with a genealogy librarian on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Appointments are for 25 minutes from 6-8 p.m. A questionnaire must be filled out before the appointment. To register, go to: https://search.livebrary.com/record=g1100979~S14
The Rogers Memorial Library (Suffolk County) will host a Genealogy One-on-One on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 12:30 p.m. Are you looking to begin your family genealogy research journey? Book a 1-on-1 appointment with the Local History librarian for a 45 minute session. Call the reference desk at 631-283-0774 ext. 505 with any questions.
Onondaga Public Library will present “Genealogy Roundtable – Genealogy Research Plans for 2024” on Friday, Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. Discover attendees’ and hosts’ genealogy research plans for 2024 via Zoom. To register, go to: https://onlibcentral.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?eventid=33381&lib=1031
