Regional & National Programs
Regional & National Conferences
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Mar 6-8, 2025:
FamilySearch: Roots Tech Conference 2025
Virtual & In person ($) (Salt Lake City, Utah)
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May 23-26, 2025:
National Genealogical Society Conference 2025
Virtual & In person (Louisville, Kentucky) ($)
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​June 22-27, 2025:
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)
Virtual ($)
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July 13-18, 2025:
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)
Pittsburgh, PA [new campus location] ($)
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Sept 19-20, 2025:
NYG&B: New York State Family History Conference
Virtual & In person ($) (Old Dutch Church in Kingston, NY)
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Western New York Genealogy & History
Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
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Monthly Special Collections Tour
[In-person event]
Take a guided tour of the Grosvenor Room, the Central Library’s Special Collections Department. Learn about the history of the library and get an inside look at our Local History, Genealogy, Map and Rare Book Collections, as well as the Mark Twain Room and other exhibits.
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Join us the 4th Saturday of each month, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Meet in the Grosvenor Room, the Library’s Special Collections Department, located on the main floor of the Central Library, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203
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Genealogy Guided: Online Western New York Church Records
[Virtual event]
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Explore digital Western New York church records in this genealogy workshop. This course combines short lectures with hands-on research activities, designed to develop practical skills in locating and analyzing historical church documents.
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Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST
Register: https://buffalolib.libcal.com/event/13793496
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Choose Your Genealogy Adventure
[Virtual event]
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At the first meeting of Choose Your Genealogy Adventure, we’ll introduce ourselves and decide the types of “adventures” that we will go on this spring. Bring a favorite family document or artifact to share with the group.
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Date: Thursday, January 30, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Register: https://buffalolib.libcal.com/event/13945260
About Choose Your Genealogy Adventure:
Choose Your Genealogy Adventure is a casual online monthly gathering for family history enthusiasts. The group will combine learning, research, and interactive fun through activities chosen by participants such as:
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Rotating topic investigation
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Genealogy games and challenges
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Collaborative research and problem solving
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Reading and sharing
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Family history crafts
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Personal research & writing
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Record indexing
Participants can expect a mix of education, practical skill-building, and enjoyable genealogical exploration. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced researcher, the group will offer a supportive community to learn and connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts. No pressure—attend when you can and join anytime.
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Build Your Own Archive
[In-person event]
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Do you:
…have boxes of papers, photographs, or family keepsakes in your basement that you don’t know what to do with?
…have a collection of stuff that you want to keep safe for your family?
…ever wonder what parts of your story will be shared with your future descendants?
Learn the methods and tricks that librarians and archivists use to organize personal papers and family archives! Registration includes a free archival document box and archiving supplies.
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Date: Saturday, February 15, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Grosvenor Room
Register: https://buffalolib.libcal.com/event/13658704
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Genealogy Guided: Ancestry DNA
[Virtual event]
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Learn how to navigate Ancestry DNA’s tools and features through hands-on, easy-to-follow guidance. Participants need to have taken an Ancestry DNA test and have access to their results to participate.
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Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EST
Register: https://buffalolib.libcal.com/event/13794551​​​​​​​
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​New York Genealogical & Biographical Society
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Expire State Exploration: Western New York
[Virtual event - $]
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July 21-23, 2025 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day
Event Page & Registration: https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/events/empire-state-exploration-western-new-york
Western New York has long been a key gateway and hub for both migration and settlement. Its abundant natural resources and agricultural bounty, key geographical location, extensive waterways and canals, and centers of trade, industry, and commerce have made it an important region for different people of all backgrounds to live, work, and raise families over many centuries. Join the NYG&B and guest experts for an online exploration of resources and techniques for tracing ancestors in Western New York.
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Online sessions include:
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Lectures on a range of topics
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Individual consultation sessions with guest expert genealogists
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Group Q&A periods
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Independent research time
Lecture topics (subject to change):
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An Orientation to New York State and Western New York Research
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Top Websites for Western New York Genealogy
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Lesser-known Western New York Records
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Panel Discussion with Rhonda Hoffman and Jeanette Sheliga on Resources at the Grosvenor Room at the Central Library of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library
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Consultant Bios
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Rhonda Hoffman is a genealogy librarian in Buffalo, New York, and a board member of the Western New York Genealogical Society. In 2024, Rhonda was honored by the NYG&B for her 25 years of service to genealogists. Rhonda is a Chautauqua County native, and her family tree includes settlers of all eight Western New York counties. Rhonda frequently lectures across Western New York and is working towards genealogical certification.
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Jeanette Sheliga of Jeanette's Genealogy lives in Lockport, New York, and has been lecturing about genealogy since 2011. Jeanette is the President of the Virtual Genealogical Association (VGA), and she holds positions in local, state, and national societies. Jeannette has completed the study groups of ProGen 49 and ProGen Practicum 02 and has attended many genealogy institutes.
