About The Society

Western New York's strategic location on the Great Lakes has made it both a terminus and a gateway of migration. It was first settled by New Englanders following the Revolutionary War. The opening of the Erie Canal provided an easy route west, attracting the first of many waves of immigrants from all over Europe. Many remained in the area and have been followed in recent years by immigrants from all over the world.

The Western New York Genealogical Society was founded in 1974 to help preserve and encourage interest in the area's rich genealogical heritage. Its focus is the eight Western New York counties which originally were part of the Holland Land Company purchase.

Society Objectives

- To collect and preserve available records of early settlers in the eight Western New York counties.
- To make these records available for research.
- To further genealogical knowledge and research.
- To foster awareness of record preservation by government agencies.