Western New York Genealogical Society, Inc. - WNYGS

04/25/2026

Make sure you attend our NextGen SIG this morning. Registration link is in the comments.

04/23/2026

Thinking about attending a conference this year? This is a great one. Plus, THREE of our board members are presenting!

Registration is now open for the NYG&B's 2026 New York State Family History Conference.

This year’s theme, New Perspectives, Best Practices, brings together genealogists, researchers, and history enthusiasts for New York’s largest statewide family history event.

Livestream programs will take place September 18–19, 2026, with on-demand access available from September 9 through November 16, 2026.

With more than 30 expert-led sessions and additional on-demand content, participants can learn at their own pace and connect with a vibrant research community.

Early registration pricing is available through June 15. Register now to save: https://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/nysfhc-2026-registration

09/16/2024

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: With fall's arrival, we wanted to share the dates of this year's remaining WNYGS Library Collection Research Assistance Days at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Library.

Fri., 9/27, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Fri., 10/18, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Fri., 11/8, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sat., 11/23, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. (includes BECPL Special Collections Tour)
Fri., 12/14, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sat., 12/28, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. (includes BECPL Special Collections Tour)

Trained volunteers will be on-site to assist with the Zintz Library Collection and answer other general research questions.

In addition to special days, WNYGS' Library remains accessible to all patrons during regular library hours. To learn more about the Society's collection, visit https://www.wnygs.org/library .

Preserving and Documenting Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties since 1974.

07/29/2024

WNYGS 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 in August and September on the following dates:​​​​​​​​​
- Sat., 8/24, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. (break during planned BECPL German program)
- Fri., 8/30, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
- Thurs., 9/12, 12:00 - 4:30 p.m.
- Fri., 9/27, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

07/02/2024

Cemetery Workshop Registration Reminder: Join us as we travel to Niagara County for "Save Our Cemeteries" on 7/13. This full-day event will take place at two locations - Calvin K. Richards Community Center & Witmer Cemetery (both in Town of Niagara, NY). Morning presentations include “Uncovering the Past: Using Cemetery Records for Genealogy Research”, “Importance of Volunteerism”, and “Cemeteries in New York State”. These talks will be followed by four on-site cemetery workshops in the afternoon. Not to be missed! Complete event and registration details can be found on the WNYGS website. All registrations must be received by this Friday, July 5th.

Join us as we travel to Niagara County to learn more about cemeteries. This full-day event will take place at two locations - Calvin K. Richards Community Center & Witmer Cemetery (both in Town of Niagara, NY).

06/17/2024

REMINDER: JUNE COLLECTION ASSISTANCE DAY

This Friday, 6/21, from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m., WNYGS volunteers will be on-site at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Branch (Buffalo) assisting members and researchers with the Society's library collection and answering general research questions. Hope to see you there.

Preserving and Documenting Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties since 1974.

04/16/2024

Have you checked out the WNYGS' Meetings & Programs page lately? Whether it is this weekend's member meet-up at Genealogy in Bloom in Rochester, our traveling "Introduction to Genealogy" programs (June), our "Birthplace & Crossroads of WNY" Speaker Luncheon & Holland Land Office Museum Tour (6/22), or our full-day "Save our Cemeteries" Workshop (7/13), we have lot of exciting opportunities for you.

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.

03/31/2024

Spring Library Volunteer 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 the upcoming spring dates:​​​​​​​
- Sun., 4/21, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Sat.. 4/27, 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. (supporting the BECPL Special - Collections Tour)
- Sat., 5/4, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Sat., 5/18 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. (part of the BECPL Family History Day)

In addition to these special assistance days, the collection remains accessible to all members and patrons during regular library hours. See the WNYGS website for full collection information: https://www.wnygs.org/library.

01/03/2024

Library Collection Volunteer Assistance: As a reminder, WNYGS will have volunteers on-site at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (Central Library, Downtown Buffalo) to assist members and patrons with the Society's Zintz Library Collection and other general research questions. The schedule is:
- Fri., 1/19 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
- Sat., 1/27 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. (supports the Grosvenor Room's Special Collections Tour at 3 p.m.)
- Sun., 2/11, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Sat., 2/24 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. (supports the Grosvenor Room's Special Collections Tour at 3 p.m.)

In addition to our special days, the collection is always accessible during regular library hours. To learn more about the Society's collection and search the catalog, visit https://www.wnygs.org/library.

12/17/2023

Join us as we kick off the Society's 50th Anniversary year with a virtual meeting on Sat. 1/20 at 10:30 a.m. EST. Our featured presentation will be "Wide World of Passports” with Debra Dudek. "Look beyond passports issued by the United States government! In this lecture, we'll examine an array of passports from different countries and time periods, and how to incorporate this information into your genealogical research. Be prepared to dig through online and traditional archives to break through your toughest brick walls!" The program is free for members and the general public. Advanced registration is required. Visit the Society's website at https://www.wnygs.org/meetings to sign-up today.