Several New York genealogy societies will present free programs during the month of November.
The Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society will have its genealogical library open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 and 14. For more information, contact Donna Shine at librarian@bigswny.org
Orange County Genealogical Society will present “Wealth and Power in New York’s Hudson Valley” on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. Presenter Alex Prizgintas shares the stories of “riverside moguls” from Orange County and the transformation of their estates through time. This talk focuses on five Gilded-Age figures from Orange County, exploring their legacies, families, and estates. These include J.P. Morgan’s “Cragston” of Highland Falls, E.H. Harriman’s Arden House, the legacy of Pierre Lorillard IV in Tuxedo Park, Robert Wilson Goelet’s “Glenmere” estate, the Pierson-Hamilton “Table Rock” property of Eagle Valley, and the mansions built by Charles E. Rushmore of Highland Mills and Schuyler Schieffelin of Monroe. For more information, go to: https://ocgsny.org/index.php/calendar-of-events/
The Polish Genealogical Society of New York State will present “AI in Genealogical Research: A Practical Approach” 0n Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. See how AI works in real genealogy research through hands-on examples. We’ll learn how AI can assist with common research tasks, such as creating timelines and source citations, logging research, and preparing reports. You’ll see examples of AI tools in action and learn what they excel at (and where they fall short). Leave with practical tips and specific examples you can use in your own family history research. To register, go to: https://pgsnys.org/meetings/
**The Westchester County Genealogical Society will “New York State Censuses: You Won’t Believe What’s Hiding in There” on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. Non-members interested in attending should send a direct message through the club’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/WCGSinNewYork/
The Buffalo Genealogical Society of the African Diaspora will meet at the Central Library of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m.
The Jefferson County NY Genealogical Society will present “The Photo Detective” on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. Historical family photos are cherished heirlooms that offer a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors. But the images, and the stories behind them, often fade away as decades pass—the who, when, where, and why behind the photos. Learn how to study the clues in your old family photos to help put names to faces and recapture their lost stories. For more information, go to: https://jcnygs.org/programs-and-events/
The Jewish Genealogy Society of New York will present “The Birth of Civil Records in Eastern Europe” on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. The introduction of vital registration (the recording of births, deaths, and marriages) for Jews in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was an essential state-building measure associated with Enlightenment reforms. Registration of these vital events was one of the first steps in transforming Jews from state subjects into citizens, providing them with an official identity and, thus, better legal protection. This lecture provides a deeper understanding of the context in which primary genealogical sources were formed in Eastern Europe, and how basic limits to Jewish genealogical research were established. To register, go to: https://jgsny.org/
The Buffalo Irish Genealogical Society will have its genealogical library open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. For more information, contact Donna Shine at librarian@bigswny.org
The Genealogical Society of Rockland County will present “Navigating the Ancestry Card Catalog” on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. This is an in-person program. Ancestry.com’s Card Catalog contains thousands of records for your genealogy research. Genealogist Susan Schuler will provide us with some tips and tricks to get the most out of this powerful tool. To register, go to: https://newcitylibrary.org/event/gsrc-meeting-71609
Rochester Genealogical Society will present “Immigration and Naturalization” on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:45 p.m. at Nazareth College and online. Stepping on a boat to a new life is what many of our ancestors chose. What steps did they need to take? What laws and societal context did they navigate? What process did they take to become naturalized Americans if they chose to be? To register, go to: https://nyrgs.org/events-monthly-events-calendar
The Chautauqua County Genealogical Society will have its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cassadaga American Legion Post in Cassadaga.
The Western New York Genealogical Society will present “Organize, Digitize and Store Photos” on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10:30 a.m. Your family gave you the historical picture collection. The quantity or disorganization keeps you from using these priceless documents. You know your family history is in them, but you stop short because of the clutter. Learn to collect, organize, digitize, and store your pictures. To register, go to: https://www.wnygs.org/meetings
Capital District Genealogical Society will present “Dual Citizenship” on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Clifton Park – Half Moon Public Library at 1 p.m. This will be an interactive panel discussion about obtaining dual citizenship by ancestry. It will feature the countries of Canada, Ireland and Italy. For information, go to: https://events.cphlibrary.org/event/17572649
The Ulster Genealogical Society will host its monthly Zoom meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. If you wish to receive the Zoom link, please send an email to ucgsnyzoom@gmail.com
