Member Meetings & Programs
The Western New York Genealogical Society hosts a minimum of six member meetings a year. These meetings are generally held on the third Saturday of the month during March, April, May, September, October and November (unless special opportunities or conflicts arise). Occasionally, bonus webinars, trips, and workshops may be offered during the year.
As a special benefit for members, videorecordings and digital handouts are made available whenever possible.
Upcoming Society Programs
Nov 08, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ESTZoom (Virtual Event)If you use FTM or are interested in learning more about this family tree building app, join us for discussion and ideas on how best to use the Family Tree Maker program to build your family tree.
Nov 15, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ESTZoom (Virtual Event)Annual Meeting 10:30am Program 11:00am Looking for a date of birth or death? When and where your ancestor became a citizen? Where he disappeared to or where he came from? These often-overlooked gems can be packed with information, and you won't believe what they can tell us about our ancestors!
Advanced registration is required for all programs.
After registering for an online program, you will receive a Zoom confirmation email containing the meeting link.
Help Us Spread The Word About Our Programs!
Click the desired link below to download a copy of the program flyer:
November: Annual Meeting & "Voting Records: Genealogy's Best Kept Secret" with Pam Vestal
Questions or Suggestions?
Have a question about an upcoming program?
Do you have a suggestion for a program topic or speaker?
Past Programs
2025 Programs
[VMA] indicates the content is available for viewing in the Members Area.
Oct 18, 2025: "No OMPF? No Problem!" presented by Sara Cochran [VMA] [Flyer]
Sep 20, 2025: "Ten Things Every Eastern European Genealogist Should Know" presented by Lisa Alzo [VMA] [Flyer]
June 21, 2025: Spotlight on Cattaraugus County
May 24, 2025: Community Event - Family History Day 2025
In-Person Event - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Central Library, Buffalo, NY
May 17, 2025: "Lure Your Ancestors Out of the National Register of Historic Places" presented by Michelle Spencer [Flyer]
Apr 12, 2025: "From Local Militia to the Continental Line" presented by Bryna O'Sullivan [Flyer]
Mar 15, 2025: "Sifting Through the Cookbooks for Our Female Ancestors" presented by Eleanor O. Brinsko [Flyer]
Feb 15 2025: "The Underground Railroad Run Through Here" presented by Janice Lovelace [Flyer]
Jan 11 2025: "Analyzing Census Data Using Spreadsheets" presented by Tara Shymanski [Flyer]
Click to learn more about our past NextGen and Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group programs.
2024 Programs
[VMA] indicates the content is available for viewing in the Members Area.
Nov 16 2024: Annual Business Meeting & Elections and "Twenty Years of Stuff - Now What Do I Do?" presented by Elissa Scalise Powell"[Flyer]
Oct 5 2024: 50th Anniversary Founders Celebration featuring Thomas W. Jones and Karen Mauer Jones [Flyer]
Sept 8 2024: “Brick by Brick: Tracing Your Home’s History”with Tina Beaird [VMA] [Flyer]
Jul 13 2024: “Save Our Cemeteries" Workshop
Jun 22 2024: “Birthplace and Crossroads of Western New York" Talk & Workshop
Apr 20 2024: Members Meet-Up - Rochester Genealogical Society's "Genealogy in Bloom" Conference with Jeanette Sheliga
Mar 16 2024 "Chautauqua County Poor Farm & the Emigrant Train" presented by Michele Henry [VMA] [Flyer]
Feb 17 2024: "Using AI for Genealogy" presented by Margaret M. McMahon [Flyer]
Jan 20 2024: "Wide World of Passports" presented by Debra Dudek [Flyer]
Prior Programs (2021-2023)
Additional information on past member programs and trips here.
Member Program Photo Gallery
Click any image to learn more about past WNYGS programs and events.