In the spring of 1613, a sailor named Jan Rodrigues arrived at the shore of the Hudson River from a Dutch trading ship, likely the Jonge Tobias. Identifying himself as a free individual, he became the earliest documented Black man in New Netherland. Jan Rodrigues is the subject of one of 25 new, peer-reviewed biographical sketches published by the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society in August, part of the NYG&B’s New Netherland Settlers initiative. [Read more…] about 25 New Netherland Biographies Published
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
The 2026 New York State Family History Conference
The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B) will host genealogy experts for “New Perspectives, Best Practices,” the 2026 version of New York’s largest statewide family history conference.
The event is available online with on demand access September 9th through November 16, 2026 and being live-streamed September 18–19, 2026 from the NYG&B Headquarters in New York City. [Read more…] about The 2026 New York State Family History Conference
New Netherland Settlers’ Biographies Go Online
The first set of individual sketches under the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society‘s New Netherland Settlers initiative has now been completed and published online in an interactive, interlinked format.
These initial 50 biographical sketches reflect the full range of the New Netherland Settlers initiative, which aims to document all people who resided within the boundaries of the colony prior to 1664. Individual sketches are being published online as they become available. [Read more…] about New Netherland Settlers’ Biographies Go Online
2025 New York State Family History Conference
The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B) and other genealogy experts will meet for New York’s largest statewide family history conference this September.
This year’s theme is Echoes of New York and will feature livestreamed presentations in Kingston, New York, as well as on-demand sessions to watch at your own pace. All in-person programs will be livestreamed and subsequently made available on demand. [Read more…] about 2025 New York State Family History Conference
Changes To Vital Records Access Prompts Calls for Advocacy
Obtaining genealogical and certified vital records from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) is already subject to long wait times. Now, the New York State Fiscal Year 2025-26 Executive Budget Proposal by Governor Kathy Hochul includes a bill that would amend the current public health law regarding access to and fees for New York State vital records, which will make access even more difficult. [Read more…] about Changes To Vital Records Access Prompts Calls for Advocacy
2024 New York State Family History Conference
The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B) and other genealogy experts will be on hand New York’s largest statewide family history conference. This year’s theme is “Connect at the Crossroads” and will feature live-streamed presentations in Syracuse, New York, as well as additional on-demand sessions to watch at your own pace. All in-person events will be live-streamed and subsequently made available on demand. [Read more…] about 2024 New York State Family History Conference
Genealogical Society Annual Conference Call for Submissions of New York Stories
Part of the New York Genealogical & Biological Society (NYG&B) 2024 New York State Family History Conference, “New York Stories” features a pre-recorded broadcast of entertaining and enlightening video clips of New York stories told by the genealogy and family history community. [Read more…] about Genealogical Society Annual Conference Call for Submissions of New York Stories
New Genealogy Collection Online: Manhattan’s Church of the Transfiguration
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society’s (NYG&B) Church of the Transfiguration records are the newest, large-scale, searchable edition to their online collections. This ongoing project has been part of their Digitize New York initiative to preserve and make accessible at-risk historical records. The Church of the Transfiguration collection consists of tens of thousands of marriage records spanning nearly 200 years. [Read more…] about New Genealogy Collection Online: Manhattan’s Church of the Transfiguration
New York State Family History Conference Set for November 2-4
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society’s 2023 New York State Family History Conference, New York’s largest statewide family history conference, will be held in person and virtually on November 2–4, 2023. [Read more…] about New York State Family History Conference Set for November 2-4
2022 New York State Family History Conference
New York state’s largest family history event, the 2022 New York State Family History Conference is set to return this September and October, featuring more than 40 educational sessions, in-person events in Albany, and online activities through NYSFHC@Home. [Read more…] about 2022 New York State Family History Conference
Genealogy: DNA Strategies for Dealing With Endogamy
Endogamy, or the practice of marrying within the confines of a population due to cultural, religious, linguistic, or geographic isolation, presents challenges for autosomal DNA analysis.
Individuals from endogamous populations often share multiple ancestors in common with their DNA matches or descend from the same ancestors multiple times resulting in higher than expected amounts of shared DNA given their closest genealogical relationships. [Read more…] about Genealogy: DNA Strategies for Dealing With Endogamy
New York State Family History Conference Set For September
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society’s 2021 New York State Family History Conference, NYSFHC@Home 2021, will be held on Friday, September 10th, providing connection to educational resources and to like-minded community members. [Read more…] about New York State Family History Conference Set For September
Guide to NY State Archives Being Produced
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B) has begun work on a guide to the New York State Archives, designed specifically for genealogists, local historians, and other researchers.
The publication is expected to feature more than 20 chapters outlining materials from the State Archives collections that are helpful for tracing New York families. [Read more…] about Guide to NY State Archives Being Produced
New Editor For New York Genealogical and Biographical Record
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B) has announced the retirement of editor Karen Mauer Jones and the selection of Laura Murphy DeGrazia as editor of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (The Record).
Earlier this year the NYG&B announced that Karen Mauer Jones wished to retire as editor of The Record. [Read more…] about New Editor For New York Genealogical and Biographical Record
NYG&B Record Editor Retires, Successor Sought
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B) is seeking an editor to produce The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. The current editor, Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS has announced her plans to retire by the end of 2017.
Continuously published since 1870, The Record is the second oldest genealogical journal in the country and one of the most distinguished. Published quarterly, it concentrates on people and places connected to New York City, State, and region and features compiled genealogies, solutions to problems, and unique source material. [Read more…] about NYG&B Record Editor Retires, Successor Sought
A New President For The NY Genealogical and Biographical Society
Genealogist, author, and lecturer D. Joshua Taylor has been appointed President of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, effective February 1, 2016. He succeeds McKelden Smith, who is retiring after serving as the organization’s president for the past seven years.
In a statement issued to the pres, Jeanne Sloane, chairman of the board of trustees of the NYG&B, said, “We are thrilled that Josh has accepted this position. He brings to the NYG&B dynamic energy and his well-known passion for the mission of genealogical societies in general. He has broad experience as an advanced researcher and riveting lecturer. Plus he has the expertise we require in the innovative use of technology in our field.” [Read more…] about A New President For The NY Genealogical and Biographical Society
Centennial Celebration of the Seal of New York City
On May 12, 2015, the Coat of Arms Foundation (COAF) in collaboration with the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B) hosted a presentation by Chris M. Jones on the centennial anniversary of the adoption of the seal of the City of New York on June 24, 1915.
Designed to reflect the full heraldic achievement – arms with charges, crest, supporters, and motto – the seal went into use for “requisite purposes… on documents, publications or stationery issued or used by or in the name or under the authority of the city or of any borough or department thereof.” [Read more…] about Centennial Celebration of the Seal of New York City
A NY Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society has published the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer (2015), a comprehensive, 856-page reference book for researchers of not just genealogy, but any type of history in the State of New York.
The book massive volume, considered unprecedented in its breadth and depth, covers New York State records for all the major ethnic and religious groups, and each county. [Read more…] about A NY Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer
NYG&B Partnering With Findmypast On Digital Library
The genealogy website Findmypast and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B) have announced that Findmypast will host the newly expanded Digital Library of the NYG&B. The partnership is expected to provide additional membership benefits for the one of the nation’s oldest genealogical organizations, and also add new content to Findmypast’s online collections. [Read more…] about NYG&B Partnering With Findmypast On Digital Library
NY Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society’s new book, New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer, was featured on the “Forget-Me-Not Hour” podcast on January 7th. NYG&B President McKelden Smith explained what this monumental work is all about – the first of its kind ever for New York. Founded in 1869, the NYG&B it is the largest genealogical society in New York and the only one that is state-wide.
Listen listen to the podcast online here. Order the book online here.