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
Feb 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ESTZoom (Virtual Event)The tracks drew people and provided occupations for many. Examples show the wealth of historical materials available for researching railroads and their records employed. Varied railroad-related resources and the boom of online finding aids, indexes, and digitized records will be covered.
Mar 14, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM EDTZoom (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.
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:
The full schedule of 2026 programs to be announced shortly.
Questions or Suggestions?
Have a question about an upcoming program?
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Past Programs
2026 Programs
[VMA] indicates the content is available for viewing in the Members Area.
Jan 17, 2026 "Charting Your Family's Past: The Power of Maps in Genealogy" presented by Amy Rose Ward [VMA]
2025 Programs
[VMA] indicates the content is available for viewing in the Members Area.
Nov 15, 2025: Annual Business Meeting & "Voting Records: Genealogy's Best Kept Secret" presented by Pam Vestal [Flyer]
Oct 18, 2025: "No OMPF? No Problem!" presented by Sara Cochran [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.
Prior Programs (2021-2024)
Member Program Photo Gallery
 Buffalo History Museum"Buffalo Will See It Through" exhibit |  Buffalo & Erie County Public LibrarySociety Workshop at Computer Learning Lab |
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 Family DiscoveriesBIGS Railroad Employee Record Collection |  BIGS LibraryVisit to the Buffalo Irish Genealogy Society |
 City of Buffalo Inactive RecordsTalk and Private Tour of Facility at River Rock |  Library LoveMembers showing their support for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library and all libraries throughout Western New York |
 Tracing Our HistoryWNY Genealogy Conference - Documenting Our Families' Journeys |  Continuing EducationSociety Program on Church Records |
 Remembering Those LostErie County (NY) Casualties in WWI |  Veterans History ProjectLibrary of Congress Training - Documenting Veterans' Experiences |
Click any image to learn more about past WNYGS programs and events.