Regional & National Programs

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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Family History Day 2025

[In-person event]

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The Grosvenor Room, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s Special Collections Department, is planning its 3rd annual Family History Day.  This event is free and open to anyone interested in learning about organizations and resources that further genealogical research! Plans include presentations on the new Digitize New York outpost, sponsored by the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, and located here at the Grosvenor Room, a session of "Ask the Genealogist" with the Grosvenor Room’s Rhonda Hoffman and volunteers, tabling by the Western New York Genealogical Society and local genealogical and heritage organizations, and more.

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Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025, 1-3 p.m. EST

Location: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Library, Grosvenor Room, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203

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​New York Genealogical & Biographical Society

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Empire 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:

• Lectures on a range of topics

• Individual consultation sessions with guest expert genealogists

• Group Q&A periods

• Independent research time

 

Lecture topics (subject to change):

• An Orientation to New York State and Western New York Research

• Top Websites for Western New York Genealogy

• Lesser-known Western New York Records

• 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.