Many New York State public libraries will be offering free genealogy programs in the first half of January. 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 December 29 – January 3
Yonkers Public Library (Westchester County) will offer “Create Your Family Tree” on Monday, Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. Get together to talk about your genealogical research. Learn how to access thousands of genealogical records using the Library’s online resources and databases such as HeritageQuest, Family Search and Ancestry! This is an English and Spanish bilingual program. To register, go to: https://www.ypl.org/event/create-your-family-tree-crea-tu-arbol-de-familia-61957
Rogers Memorial Library (Suffolk County) will be offering one-on-one genealogy assistance on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 12:30 p.m. Are you looking to begin your family genealogy research journey? Book a 1-on-1 appointment with a librarian for a 45 minute session. Call the reference desk at 631-283-0774 ext. 505 with any questions.
The Family Finders club will meet in person at the Rochester Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 10:30 a.m. 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 this informal monthly gathering. January’s topic will be newspapers and cemetery records. To register, go to: https://calendar.libraryweb.org/event/15488450
Week of January 4 – 10
Yonkers Public Library (Westchester County) will offer “Create Your Family Tree” on Monday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. Get together to talk about your genealogical research. Learn how to access thousands of genealogical records using the Library’s online resources and databases such as HeritageQuest, Family Search and Ancestry! This is an English and Spanish bilingual program. To register, go to: https://www.ypl.org/event/create-your-family-tree-crea-tu-arbol-de-familia-92464
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 Tuesday, Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist researchers with the society’s library collection and to answer general genealogy questions. No registration is required.
South Huntington Public Library (Suffolk County) will offer an in person Genealogy Drop-In on Tuesday, Jan. 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. Librarian Jean King 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.
The Longwood Public Library (Suffolk County) will have a Genealogy Drop-In on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. 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. A Local History librarian 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.
Week of January 11 – 17
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 Sunday, Jan. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. to assist researchers with the society’s library collection and to answer general genealogy questions. No registration is required.
Steele Memorial Library (Chemung County) will present “A Genealogist’s Guide to Writing Poetry” on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. Are you looking for a fresh way to share your family history with relatives? This presentation will reveal how you can use poetry to bring those stories to life. Learn to write poems free verse, acrostics, and rhyming poems that will introduce your ancestors to all family members. To register, go to: https://www.chemunglibraries.org/event/genealogists-guide-writing-poetry-allyson-maughan-13938
Webster Public Library (Monroe County) will present “Starting Your Family Tree” on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. Join us for this first workshop in our genealogy series. January’s workshop will focus on the key concepts and first steps to launch your genealogy research. This session lays the groundwork for a strong, sustainable family tree. To register, go to: https://calendar.libraryweb.org/event/15881053
New York Public Library will present “Getting Started in Genealogy Research” on Thursday, Jan. 15 at noon. 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/2026/01/15/getting-started-genealogy-research
The Monre Free Library (Orange County) will offer a Walk-In Genealogy session on Friday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. For more information, call 845-783-4411.
The Geneva Public Library (Ontario County) will present a Genealogy Research Roundtable on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. Get together with others who are interested in family tree research. Other attendees and librarians can help you find what you’re looking for. Contact 315-789-5303 ext. 206 for more information.
