Many New York public libraries will be offering a variety of genealogy programs in the first half of February.
Week of Feb. 4 – 10
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.
The Prendergast Library (Chautauqua County) holds a Genealogy Lab Workshop every Friday from 2-4 p.m.
The Seward Park Library branch of the New York Public Library will host a genealogy program in person every Friday from 2-3 p.m. Use databases such as Ancestry Library Edition and FamilySearch.org. Bring documents or family records to assist with your search.
Red Jacket Public Library will offer “Genealogy for Adults” (Ontario County) on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. Come join the fun of learning about your ancestors. Please bring a laptop if you have one! To register, go to: https://owwl.libcal.com/event/11767397
The Interlaken Public Library (Seneca County) will offer a virtual Genealogy Meetup on the second Thursday 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-4/
The Longwood Public Library (Suffolk County) will have Ask a Genealogist on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. Local History Librarian Georgie O’Neill will be on hand to show you how to access free genealogical resources, including Ancestry, through the library and offer search tips and advice. No registration is required.
The Steele Memorial Library will present a virtual Genealogy Club on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. Join the Steele Memorial Library for an informal get together to talk about search tips and resources available to search your family history. Beginners and experienced searchers are welcome. To register, go to: https://ccld.mhsoftware.com/ViewNonBannerMonth.html and select February 10.
Week of Feb. 11- 17
The Buffalo and Erie Public Library will have a collection assistance day on Sunday, Feb. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. Volunteers from the Western New York Genealogical Society will assist researchers with the society’s library collection and answer general research questions.
The Wood Library (Ontario County ) will host a Genealogy Club on Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. Are you just starting your family tree or have you run into a brick wall tracing a distant ancestor? In this genealogy group you will learn how to conduct a basic search and use other helpful tools to find relatives. All levels of experience are welcome! Bring your own basic search questions. In this session : Learn Ancestry Library Edition and FamilySearch.org. *Must be 60 years or older and an Ontario co-resident to attend this program.* To register, go to: https://woodlibrary.librarycalendar.com/event/genealogy-club-14363
The Elmont Public Library (Nassau County) will present “Opportunities and Challenges of African-American Genealogy” on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. This is an in-person program. This presentation will explore the uncommon challenges that beset African American genealogical research, as well as point to opportunities for optimal research success. Registration is not required.
The Comsewogue Public Library (Suffolk County) will have one-on-one appointments with a genealogy librarian on Tuesday, Feb. 13. 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&searchscope=14&SORT2=R
The Glen Cove Public Library (Nassau County) will present “Using Postcards in Genealogy Research” on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. Postcards were in wide use from 1890 to 1960. A postcard contains the address of a receiver and the exact date the postcard was sent to that person at that location. During this program, we will provide an overview of postcard history and why this is important to your genealogical research; investigate various postcard databases; discuss various use cases; and learn how to cite postcards per genealogical standards. To register, go to: https://www.glencovelibrary.org/ and click on the Calendar of Events and go to Feb. 13.
The Penn Yan Public Library (Yates County) will host a Family Research Support Group on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. Learn from others and share your own tips and stories from your genealogical journeys in this ongoing, participant-driven program. We will meet in person in odd months and virtually in even months. To register, go to: http://bit.ly/PYPLfam
The Rogers Memorial Library (Suffolk County) will host a Genealogy One-on-One on Wednesday, Feb. 14 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.
Guilderland Public Library (Albany County) will host a Genealogy Assistance program on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m. Professional Genealogist Lisa Dougherty offers one on one family history consultations on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Library. This is a drop-in session; no need to make an appointment.
The Springfield Library (Otsego County ) will have a Family Genealogy Discussion meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 1-2 p.m. For more information, contact the library at 315-858-5802.
The Tully Free Library will host a Genealogy Club on the third Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m. All are welcome regardless of their level of experience. Be sure to make use of the many genealogy resources at the library, including Ancestry Library Edition.
The Monroe Free Library (Orange County) will a Walk-In Genealogy program the third Friday of the month from 10 – 11 a.m. 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 it is recommended that you call first so he can be best prepared to help you.
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library will present “Using Funeral Records in Genealogy Research” on Friday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Funeral programs are a unique artifact prevalent in African American communities. Produced at death, these programs record biographical details along with family names, dates, and locations. All the data that we family researchers love to have in our own collections. To register, go to: https://buffalolib.libcal.com/event/11665869
The Rochester Public Library will host a “Family Finder Genealogy Club” on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Library. Whether you are an experience researcher or just starting out, join our informal monthly gathering. Share your discoveries and research your family’s past alongside fellow researchers. Registration is recommended but not required.
