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The Western New York Genealogical Society's mission is to help preserve and encourage interest in Western New York's rich genealogical heritage - specifically Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, & Wyoming Counties. We focus on education and preservation. Image of Buffalo waterfront Source: Library of Congress Digital Collections Shared History We stern New York’s strategic location on the Great Lakes has made it both a terminus and a gateway of migration. First home to Native American communities, the region was later settled primarily 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 Europe. Many people remained in the area and have been followed by others from around the world. Membership Experience everything membership has to offer - both in-person and online. JOIN Volunteer Make a difference by sharing your time, skills, and expertise with WNYGS. HELP Donate Support our work and mission by making financial contribution today. GIVE Recent Society Programs Family Tree Maker Special Interest Group (SIG) Virtual Meeting with Gabrielle Kandefer Nov 8, 2025 10:30a-12:00p EST Virtual Program - Zoom Annual Meeting & "Voting Records: Genealogy's Best Kept Secret" with Pam Vestal Nov 15, 2025 10:30a-12:00p EST Virtual Program - Zoom VIEW ALL Featured Resources SOCIETY LIBRARY June Partridge Zintz Memorial Library Collection DATABASE Buffalo New York Deaths Collection Index PUBLICATIONS Western New York Genealogist and Journal NEXTGEN SIG Connect Through Our Special Interest Group Collection Assistance Days Each month, WNYGS volunteers are on-site at the Central Library to assist researchers with the society's library collection and answer general research questions. Join us for these upcoming winter dates: Wed., December 3 12-4p Sun., December 7 12-5p Fri., December 12 9a-12p Tues., January 6 10a-1p Sun., January 11 12-5p m Thurs., January 29 12-4p Tues., February 3 10a-1p Sun., February 8 12-5p Wed., February 25 12-4p In addition to these special assistance days, the collection remains accessible to all members and patrons during regular library hours. Original Holland Land Company Vault (Mayville, NY) News and Updates Jan 1, 2025 : New and Returning Board Members Start Term May 16, 2024 : Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and the Western New York Genealogical Society's online exhibit, “Buffalo's Neighborhoods: Exploring Our Migrant and Immigrant Heritage," Named 2024 Winner of the National Genealogical Society Conference SLAM! Idea Showcase

June Partridge Zintz Memorial Library June Partridge Zintz (1927–2007) Founder & First President The Western New York Genealogical Society maintains an expanding reference library that serves as a repository of genealogical information pertaining to Western New York. The primary focus is the eight counties of Western New York - specifically Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming. However, the collection also contains information on New York State, New England, as well as other states and many foreign countries. The collection includes more than 3,000 books and 700 rolls of microfilm, family histories, periodicals, and card indexes. DONATE MATERIALS Collection Catalog As a reference library, collection materials are non-circulating. Books are arranged in a "modified" Dewey Decimal Classification system which is easily understood and usable. Items are catalogued by author, title and subject. SEARCH Library Chair: Rhonda Hoffman libra rian@wnygs.org For Download WNYGSCatalog-Web VITAL INDEX OF EARLY WESTERN NEW YORK FAMILIES Resource of approximately 120,000 index cards containing the birth, death, & marriage information for early Western New York families collected and complied from 75 sources. VITAL RECORDS & VITAL RECORD SUBSTITUTES Church R ecords Birth, Marriage, Death Records Cemetery R ecords Member-Submitted Bible and Marriage Records Published & Unpublished Record Manuscripts ANCESTOR CHARTS, FAMILY HISTORIES, & GENEALOGIES Collection of Member-Submitted Ancestor Charts Published & Unpublished Family Histories & Manuscripts Buffalo & Erie County Public Library & the Western New York Genealogical Society present "Buffalo's Neighborhoods: Exploring Our Migrant and Immigrant Heritage" View Digital Exhibit General Collection Holdings Atlases, Gazetteers, & Maps Immigration Resources Microfilmed Records Military Records & Resources Directories & Histories Guides & Indexes Periodicals How To Books Floor Plan Download WNYGS-ZintzMap Collection Assistance Days Each month, WNYGS volunteers are on-site at the Central Library to assist researchers with the society's library collection and answer general research questions. Join us for these upcoming winter dates: Wed., December 3 12-4p Sun., December 7 12-5p Fri., December 12 9a-12p Tues., January 6 10a-1p Sun., January 11 12-5p m Thurs., January 29 12-4p Tues., February 3 10a-1p Sun., February 8 12-5p Wed., February 25 12-4p In addition to these special assistance days, the collection remains accessible to all members and patrons during regular library hours. Have questions about this program? Email our volunteer coordinator at volunteers@wnygs.org to learn more. Research Requests & Referrals Research Assistance A s an all-vo lunteer organization, the s oci ety has neither the personnel nor the facilities to handle individual research requests . While the society does not recommend specific individu als, it encourages everyone seeking assistance to do their own research before hiring an outside professional. Locally, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library and The Buffalo History Museum maintain lists of known researchers for hire. Additionally, several professional genealogy trade associations including the Association of Professional Genealogists , the Board for Certification of Genealogists , and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists offer member directories; please note each organization is responsible for establishing its own membership requirements and professional/ethical standards. In addition to our Collection Assistance Days, the WNYGS Facebook Discussion Group offers society and community members the opportunity to post their questions for fellow researchers. With more than 3,500 members participating, you never know what you might learn o r find. B&ECPL Library Research Services The Grosvenor Room offers select research services. A summary of services can be found on the library’s website . Collection Location The Zintz Collection is housed at the following location: Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Branch Grosvenor Room (Special Collections & Local History) 1 Lafayette Square Buffalo, NY 14203 Click to view current library hours . Grosvenor Room Policies See the Grosvenor Room’s Visiting Us webpage for information on the library’s policies and amenities. Collection Guides The Grosvenor Room's collection finding guides include many WNYGS resources. Duplication: Duplication of library materials is restricted to small quantities for personal research. Written permission from WNYGS is required to reproduce more than a small portion (a few images) of an item from the WNYGS collection.

Upcoming and past member programs. Regional and national speakers. Meetings, webinars, field trips, and workshops - free and paid. For members and general public. Register online. Past event photo gallery. Member Meetings & Programs Upcoming Programs Past Programs Photo Gallery 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 No events at the moment 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: Schedule of 2026 program dates to be announced shortly. Questions or Suggestions? Have a question about an upcoming program? Do you have a suggestion for a program topic or speaker? Program Chair: Jeanette Sheliga progra ms@wnygs.org NextGen SIG Chair: Gabrielle Kandefer nextgen@wnygs.org Upcoming Programs Past Programs Photo Gallery Past Programs 2025 Programs [ VMA ] i ndic ates th e 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 [ VMA ] [ Flyer ] 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 ] i ndic ates th e 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 Buffalo History Museum "Buffalo Will See It Through" exhibit Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Society Workshop at Computer Learning Lab Family Discoveries BIGS Railroad Employee Record Collection BIGS Library Visit to the Buffalo Irish Genealogy Society City of Buffalo Inactive Records Talk and Private Tour of Facility at River Rock Library Love Members showing their support for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library and all libraries throughout Western New York Tracing Our History WNY Genealogy Conference - Documenting Our Families' Journeys Continuing Education Society Program on Church Records Remembering Those Lost Erie County (NY) Casualties in WWI Veterans History Project Library of Congress Training - Documenting Veterans' Experiences Click any image to learn more about past WNYGS programs and events.