January 15, 2020 is a significant day for adoptees in New York State. Taking effect that day is a state law that gives adult adoptees the right to obtain their own original birth certificates by applying to the Health Department (that right of access is also extended to the descendants of deceased adoptees). It was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support by the Legislature, even ultimately swaying some legislators who’d opposed such a change in past sessions.
For decades, the only way for an adult adoptee to obtain his or her own original birth certificate was by petitioning the court. Such petitions were rarely granted. [Read more…] about A Historic Day Adoptee Rights in NYS
Two record collections available online offer a different approach to surrogate court records in New York State.
A black dagger passed down through four generations had a “story” behind it. All the family knew was that it was “taken off a German soldier in France, during 
The Northern New York American Canadian Genealogical Society’s (NNYACGS) Annual Fall Conference is set for September 27th, 28th, 29th, at the Dannemora Civic Center, 40 Emmons Street, in Dannemora, NY.
The Western New York Genealogical Society has announced Researching Genealogy at the New York State Archives, an event set for Saturday, September 21, from 10:30 am to noon, at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Central Branch Central Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo. 
The Schenectady County Historical Society has announced Genealogy 201: Military and Court Records, a six week course with Certified Genealogist Judith Herbert, set for Wednesdays, Aug 28 to Oct 9 at 6:30 pm, at Mabee Farm, 1100 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction. 
Descendants of members of the 154th New York Volunteer Infantry, a Civil War regiment raised in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, are set to hold their 34th annual reunion from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, July 20, at the Bemus Point United Methodist Church at 4954 Bemus-Ellery Road in Bemus Pont, Chautauqua County. 
Genealogist Pamela Vittorio is set to lead a workshop focused on the many ways to find your roots using traditional and hidden resources, on Saturday, April 13th from 11 am to 1:30 pm, at the Oneida County History Center.