Many New York State public libraries will be offering free genealogy programs in the first half of October. A second posting of events will follow in two weeks.
The Hamlin Public Library (Monroe County) provides free Genealogy Help every Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. Need help with your family tree? Stop by or call ahead and make an appointment with Tracy. For more information, call 585-964-2320 or go to: https://hamlinlibraryny.org/
The Walworth Seeley Public Library (Wayne County) provides genealogy assistance every Monday from 2-4 p.m. For more information, go to: https://www.walworthlibrary.org/genealogy-local-history
The Riverhead Free Library offers genealogy assistance every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. Appointments are one hour long. You can make an appointment at genealogy@riverheadlibrary.org or by calling the reference desk at 631-727-3228 x301.
The Gates Public Library (Monroe County) will provide genealogy assistance every Friday from 1-4 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call 585-247-6446.
The Prendergast Library (Chautauqua County) holds a Genealogy Lab Workshop every Friday from 2-4 p.m. https://www.prendergastlibrary.org/genealogy-and-memory-lab/
Week of October 1-4
The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library will present “Using FamilySearch Full-Text Search” on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. This is a virtual program. Harness the power of artificial intelligence for your genealogy research using FamilySearch Full-Text Search. To register, go to: https://buffalolib.libcal.com/event/15070791
South Huntington Public Library (Suffolk County) will offer an in person Genealogy Drop-In on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. Thinking about tracing your roots but don’t know where to start? Or maybe your search is under way and you’ve hit a dead end. 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) will a Genealogy Drop-In on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop in with questions from 11 am-12 pm, stay for the round table discussion starting at noon.
The Chatham Public Library (Columbia County) will host Chatham Roots genealogy club on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. This free monthly genealogy club can assist in the search for your family. For beginners, experts and everyone in between. We will work on those elusive ancestors, break down your brick walls, share tips and tricks and just have fun. For information and the zoom link (if you are unable to attend in person), please contact Michelle at michelle@leclairdesign.com.
The Riverhead Free Library (Suffolk County) will present “Genealogy 101” on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. To register, go to: https://www.riverheadlibrary.org/event/genealogy-101-53491
The Family Finders Genealogy Club (Monroe County) will meet at the Rochester Public Library Central Library on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 10:30 a.m. Are you a fan of family history? Do you wonder who your ancestors were and how you can learn more about them? This month the theme is Italian Genealogy. To register, go to: https://calendar.libraryweb.org/event/15020405
Week of October 5-11
The New City Library (Orange County) will present “FamilySearch for Genealogy” on Monday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. This is an in-person program. Learn some of the most commonly used features with the local history librarian. To register, go to: https://newcity.librarycalendar.com/event/familysearch-genealogy-67763
The Batavia Public Library (Genessee County) will present “Introduction to Genealogy and Family History: Part 3” on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. This three evening course will cover the basics of beginning your family history, including the process, data collection, and organization of information . You will learn about various types of important records and how to access them. To register, go to: https://www.batavialibrary.org/genealogy-life-past-lane-workshop-series-1
The Guilderland Public Library (Albany County) will have a Drop-In Genealogy Assistance program on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m. This is a drop-in session; no need to make an appointment.
New York Public Library will present “Getting Organized with Your Genealogy” on Thursday, Oct. 9 at noon. The class will provide tips and suggestions for organizing your genealogy research, with the goal of making you a better researcher. Learn about information organizers, citations, and planning for research trips. To register, go to: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/10/09/clone-getting-organized-your-genealogy-research
The Interlaken Public Library (Seneca County) will present a Genealogy Meetup on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 11 a.m. Join other researchers for a meetup to discuss research tips and tricks, get help with your research, and enjoy other researchers who share your love of family history. To register, go to: https://interlakenpubliclibrary.org/event/genealogy-meetup-3/
Volunteers from the Western New York Genealogy Society will be on-site in the Grosvenor Room of the Central Library at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library on Friday, Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. They will assist researchers with the society’s library collection and to answer general genealogy questions.
The Caledonia Public Library (Wayne County) will present “A Scavenger Hunt Through the Records” on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 10:30 a.m. Participate in an interactive genealogy workshop designed for researchers of all experience levels. Using Ancestry Library Edition, participate in a hands-on scavenger hunt that guides you through real historical records. Feel free to bring your laptop or tablet and get some hands on practice. For more information, go to: https://owwl.libcal.com/event/15024026
Riverhead Free Library (Suffolk County) will present “Where Can I Find That?” on Saturday. Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. Find out where to look for those records you want using both online and offline resources. To register, go to: https://www.riverheadlibrary.org/event/genealogy-where-can-i-find-53492
Week of October 12-18
The North Shore Genealogy Collective (Nassau County) will present “One-Name Studies” on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. Explore the concept of One-Name Studies, researching all occurrences of a single surname. Learn about different study types, case studies, modern tools, and the role of DNA and technology in surname research. To register, go to: https://glencovelibrary.libcal.com/event/15182835
The Crandall Public Library (Warren County) will offer a One-on-One genealogy assistance on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. Are you interested in your family history but have no idea where to start? Has your genealogy research recently hit a brick wall? No appointment is necessary. Just drop-in for assistance. For more information, go to: https://www.crandalllibrary.org/folklife-center/programs-and-events/family-history-one-to-one/
Middle Country Public Library (Suffolk County) will present “New York City Municipal Archives” on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. This is a virtual program. A staff member from the NYC Municipal Archives will talk about the records available to researchers, as well as their current work to digitize NYC historical vital records. To register, go to: https://mcplibrary.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=207533
The Oceanside Public Library (Nassau County) will have an in-person presentation, “Make Sure Your Family History Lives On” on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. Learn about how oral tradition/family stories, photos, yearbooks, and family heirlooms can be shared and passed onto future generations.
Riverhead Public Library (Suffolk County) will present “Too Good to be True” on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls in records and online trees and how to scrutinize the information you find. To register, go to: https://www.riverheadlibrary.org/event/genealogy-too-good-be-true-53493
The Steele Memorial Library (Chemung County) will host a Genealogy Club on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. This is a Zoom presentation. The topic will be DAR Genealogical Research. To register, go to: https://www.chemunglibraries.org/event/genealogy-club-3832
