Many New York State public libraries will be offering free genealogy programs in the first half of November. A second posting of events will follow in two weeks.
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 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 Riverhead Free Library (Suffolk County) 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 Williamson Public Library (Wayne County) will have one-on-one genealogy sessions every Friday at 12:50 p.m. Registration is required. To register, go to: https://owwl.libcal.com/calendar?t=d&q=genealogy&cid=12971&cal=12971&inc=0
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 November 2-8
South Huntington Public Library (Suffolk County) will offer an in person Genealogy Drop-In on Thursday, Nov. 6 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, Nov. 6 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, Nov. 6 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.
Western New York Genealogy Society volunteers will be on-site in the Grosvenor Room, located on the first floor of the Buffalo Central Library, on Friday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon to assist researchers with the society’s library collection and to answer general genealogy questions. No registration is required.
Longwood Public Library (Suffolk County) will have a Genealogy Drop-In on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 2-3 p.m. Learn how you can access free genealogical resources, including Ancestry, through the library and to offer search tips and advice. For more information, go to: https://www.longwoodlibrary.org/event/genealogy-drop-176922
Week of November 9-15
New York Public Library will present “Getting Started in Genealogy Research” on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. Experienced librarians demonstrate the steps involved in starting your family history research. Discover essential research methods and strategies, identify relevant records and how to locate them, and organize your family research information. To register, go to: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/11/13/clone-getting-started-genealogy-research
The Interlaken Public Library (Seneca County) will present a Genealogy Meetup on Thursday, Nov. 13 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/events/2025-11-13/
Greece Public Library (Monroe County) will present “Genealogy Basics” on Friday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. Have you been thinking about diving into doing a bit of family history research? Genealogy can be an extremely rewarding project and it can be overwhelming on where to even begin. This easy-to-understand program focuses on free resources that will help you get started. To register, go to: https://greecepl.librarycalendar.com/event/genealogy-basics-30788
The Onondaga County Public Libraries will present “Family Trees, Traditions and Tastes” on Friday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. Explore creative ways to showcase your family tree in meaningful ways. Learn about creative displays, practical sharing tips and how to link recipes and relatives. To register, go to:
Monroe Free Library (Orange County) will host a Walk-In Genealogy program on Friday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Come to the Information desk and ask for Mike. He will spend some time with you to try and help answer your genealogy questions. Sign up not needed but we recommend you call first so we can be best prepared to help you. For more information, call 845-783-4411.
The Geneva Public Library (Ontario County) will present “Ethical Dilemmas in Genealogy” on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. This is an in-person program with the presenter live through a video call. Researching a family tree traditionally involved asking relatives about their lives, drawing a tree and undertaking a paper trail, but it now involves finding new mostly online records and dealing with strangers on the internet. What information should and shouldn’t you include on your tree? Attendees will benefit from reflecting on their own ethical dilemmas and considering ethical issues with empathy, sensitivity and diplomacy. To more information, go to: https://genevapubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/15407626
The Steele Memorial Library (Chemung County) will host a Genealogy Club on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. This is a Zoom presentation. Join the Steele Memorial Library for an informal get together to talk about search tips and resources available to search your family history. The purpose of the club is to share information on records and approaches for starting or extending participants’ genealogical research. To register, go to: https://www.chemunglibraries.org/event/genealogy-club-3833
