Westchester County Genealogical Society

06/13/2026

Our last meeting of the program year is about to start! So grab your coffee or tea (or maybe the iced variety!) and see you online soon. Not a member but would like to attend? Send us a dm with your email address to be our guest!

Next Saturday! We're excited to welcome professional genealogist Michael Traynor to hear his lecture on Genealogical Myths: Legends, Lies, and Lineage.

Where do family history myths come from, and why do they persist so stubbornly? This lecture explores the rich human origins of genealogical mythmaking and dismantles some of the most common family legends, from specious claims of Ellis Island name changes and vague royal ancestry to false narratives about powerless women and untraceable roots. Through rigorous, evidence-based research guided by curiosity and compassion, we can uncover more nuanced and compelling personal truths beneath these enduring stories.

Michael Traynor is a professional genealogist and owner of Moon & Yew Genealogy, based in northern New Jersey. He began researching his family history as a hobbyist in the early 2000s and has since built a career helping others unravel their own familial mysteries. Michael holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and has completed both the ProGen and GenProof study programs. Shaped in part by his background as an English teacher and poet, he brings a meticulous, creative eye to his research. He recently served as a guest lecturer in Marist University's first-year seminar course, The Psychology of Genealogy. A member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Michael also serves the genealogical community as a mentor genealogist for the National Genealogical Society's Advanced Skills course and for GenProof Study Groups, and as Historian and Trustee for the Morris Area Genealogy Society.

06/05/2026

Next Saturday! We're excited to welcome professional genealogist Michael Traynor to hear his lecture on Genealogical Myths: Legends, Lies, and Lineage.

Where do family history myths come from, and why do they persist so stubbornly? This lecture explores the rich human origins of genealogical mythmaking and dismantles some of the most common family legends, from specious claims of Ellis Island name changes and vague royal ancestry to false narratives about powerless women and untraceable roots. Through rigorous, evidence-based research guided by curiosity and compassion, we can uncover more nuanced and compelling personal truths beneath these enduring stories.

Michael Traynor is a professional genealogist and owner of Moon & Yew Genealogy, based in northern New Jersey. He began researching his family history as a hobbyist in the early 2000s and has since built a career helping others unravel their own familial mysteries. Michael holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and has completed both the ProGen and GenProof study programs. Shaped in part by his background as an English teacher and poet, he brings a meticulous, creative eye to his research. He recently served as a guest lecturer in Marist University's first-year seminar course, The Psychology of Genealogy. A member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Michael also serves the genealogical community as a mentor genealogist for the National Genealogical Society's Advanced Skills course and for GenProof Study Groups, and as Historian and Trustee for the Morris Area Genealogy Society.

05/08/2026

It’s not too late to register for this year's 250th Anniversary Luncheon and 152nd Annual Meeting! But please don’t wait—seats are filling up. Secure yours today by sending in the mailed form or filling out the online form. We hope to see you May 31st!

https://westchesterhistory.com/152nd-annual-meeting/

05/07/2026

This Saturday we'll welcome Jill Morelli, CG, CGL for her presentation on Accessing and Using Image Records and Full Text Search. Not a member (yet!) but interested in attending? Send us a DM with your email address for the zoom invite.

Did you know that now over 95% of the online records of FamilySearch are not accessible by a surname search? Did you know that FamilySearch is now putting their newly digitized records in Images and NOT in the Card Catalog? And, their newest tool is Full Text Search. We will explore the access options Images and Full Text Search give you and how to “read” the record for maximum efficiency.

Jill Morelli, CG, CGL is a writer and educator. In 2017, she founded the Certification Discussion Group, an online series demystifying the process. This award-winning program, now has over 825 graduates. She specializes in Scandinavian research, and is constantly honing her methodological skills. She lectures nationally and has written articles in many journals. Jill is a past president of the Seattle Genealogical Society, program director for the Puget Sound-APG chapter, and a member of many genealogical societies.

04/27/2026

Thanks again to Mary who shared her Spilling the Tea: Tea Party Fact & Fiction presentation with us earlier this month!

04/11/2026

Want to join us for our Tea Party Talk this morning? Send us a dm for the link!

Due to unexpected illness, our program on Genealogical Resources in the Masonic Library is going to be rescheduled. We hope you'll still join us to hear our own Mary Hoar, Yonkers Historian, give her presentation Spilling the Tea: Tea Party Fact & Fiction. Brew your own cup of tea (or coffee!) and celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution!

04/10/2026

Due to unexpected illness, our program on Genealogical Resources in the Masonic Library is going to be rescheduled. We hope you'll still join us to hear our own Mary Hoar, Yonkers Historian, give her presentation Spilling the Tea: Tea Party Fact & Fiction. Brew your own cup of tea (or coffee!) and celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution!

04/10/2026

Last month WCGS members and friends enjoyed an informative presentation on the Mayflower Families Silver books, presented by Bonnie Wade Mucia, AG, Director of the Mayflower Families Silver Books Project for the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Don't miss our April meeting this Saturday, April 11, where we'll welcome Michael LaRocco and learn about the genealogical resources available at the Livingston Masonic Library. Not a member but would like the zoom link? Send us a dm! Guests welcome.

04/07/2026

Update: This meeting will still be held, but with Mary Hoar, Yonkers Historian, presenting instead. We hope to reschedule Michael soon!

This Saturday WCGS will welcome Michael LaRocco, Executive Director of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of Grand Lodge who will share his presentation on Genealogical Resources in the Masonic Library. This will showcase what the library museum has to offer to scholars, members and the general public as it pertains to genealogy and research in the areas of Masonic history and philosophy.

03/14/2026

We hope to see you soon for Bonnie's presentation on the Mayflower Families Silver Books!

WCGS welcomes Bonnie Wade Mucia, AG, the Director of the Mayflower Families Silver Books Project to our March meeting this Saturday.

Tens of millions of people are descended from this small group who crossed the ocean in 1620 on the Mayflower. The General Society of Mayflower Descendants publishes a series of 44 books called the Mayflower Families Silver Books, a compilation of colonial scholarship. This presentation covers the history of the Silver Books project and provides you with the tools and knowledge to effectively use them in your genealogy work, particularly for researching the colonial period. These books trace early colonial settlers through multiple generations, offering a treasure trove of genealogy scholarship. Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just starting, this presentation will equip you to unlock the full potential of the Silver Books, revealing lineages enriched by meticulous research and documented with original records and sources.

Not a member but interested in attending? Direct message us your email address and we will send you a link to attend.