New York State Family History Conference 2020 brochure · 2020. 6. 11. · 2020 NEW YORK STATE FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE 2 Local Society We’ve teamed up with the Capital District

2 0 2 0 N E W YO R K S TAT E FA M I LY H I S TO R Y C O N F E R E N C E 1

2020 New York State Family History Conference


Thursday, September 10–Saturday, September 12, 2020 in Albany, New York

NYSFHC@Home, September 10–30, 2020

Join hundreds of family history researchers in the New York State Capital, Albany,

New York, or join from home for the 2020 New York State Family History Conference

(NYSFHC). You’ll enjoy three days of camaraderie and learning experiences with

genealogists of all experience levels!

Registration is now open!

New for 2020

Extended Repository Hours

Extended hours at the New York

State Archives for conference

attendees (the perfect way to

balance time in conference

sessions and research).

VIP Registration

Do you want a guaranteed seat

in a session? A VIP registration

will save you a seat at the front

of the session. A limited number

of VIP tickets will be available, so

be sure to reserve yours early.

NYSHFC@Home (NEW!)

In addition to our In-person

conference, we are also offering

two options to attend the

conference virtually.


Local Society

We’ve teamed up with the Capital District

Genealogical Society (CDGS) for NYSFHC

2020. CDGS will provide onsite support,

volunteers, and other assistance to enhance

your experience at the conference.

Register today at nysfhc.org

About the Venue

Location and Lodging

The conference will be held at the Albany Hilton,

40 Lodge Street, Albany, New York, just blocks from

the New York State Library, the New York State Archives,

and many other historical sites and repositories.

The Albany Hilton will have a room block for the conference.

The code for the special rate will be included in your

conference registration. Other accommodations are

available within walking distance.

Travel to Albany

Coming by car? Albany is three hours or less from

Boston, Syracuse, and New York City. Parking is

available at the garage adjacent to the Albany Hilton $ .

(Hilton Albany.)

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Morning Workshops [ $ additional registration]

Onsite Check-in Opens

Lunch (on your own)

Afternoon Opening Session

Sessions (choice of three)


Evening NYG&B Member Reception

Friday, September 11, 2020

Morning Sessions (choice of three)



Noon Lunch Break On your own, box lunch $ , or ticketed luncheon $

Afternoon Sessions (choice of three)

Workshops [ $ additional registration]

Sessions (choice of two)


Evening New York Stories Live!Sponsored by: YourStory™ by Gaylord Archival®

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Morning Workshops [ $ additional registration]




Noon Lunch Break On your own, box lunch $ , or ticketed luncheon $

Afternoon Sessions (choice of three)


Closing Reception A special gathering to exchange your favorite moments of the conference.

NYSFHC In-person Conference Schedule At-A-Glance (Subject to change)

http://nysfhc.org



NYSFHC In-person Program, Albany, NY Registration for the event in Albany is open!

Please Note: As of June 2020, we are still planning for In-person activities in Albany; we understand that circumstances

might change in the future. We continue to monitor official local, state, and federal guidelines as we evaluate these

activities moving forward. Your health and safety are our top priorities.

Should you wish to change your registration to the complete NYSFHC@Home Pass, you may do so at any time before

August 15, 2020. Registrations will be converted to the full NYSFHC@Home Pass should we be unable to hold In-person

activities in Albany.

Conference Sessions: Thursday, September 10, 2020 (Schedule subject to change.)

8:00 AM Onsite Check-in Opens

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Opening Session—Preserving the Records of New York State Join NYG&B President D. Joshua Taylor as we open NYSFHC 2020 with an address from New York State Archivist, Thomas J. Ruller. Mr. Ruller will discuss the work of the New York State Archives and its role in the preservation of New York’s records.

2:15–3:15 PM Genealogical Research in the Austro-Hungarian EmpirePresented by Michelle ChubenkoDiscover resources to research your ancestor from the multi-eth-nic historical Austro-Hungarian Empire and how to determine the location of your ancestral town. Learn strategies to locate available records and relevant archives in the twelve successor (modern) countries. Examples of records and their importance, both from North America and from Europe, will be discussed.

Uncharted Waters: Diving into the Holdings of the New York State ArchivesPresented by Jane E. WilcoxThe New York State Archives (NYSA) holds a diverse collection of state governmental records. Learn familiar and obscure resources to help advance your NY research. Includes a finding aid demonstration.

New York vs New Hampshire and Vermont: Records and Research in the Late 18th CenturyPresented by Eric G. GrundsetRival claims by New York and New Hampshire over the land that became Vermont created a nightmare for researchers in the 21st century. The records for study of the region during this period are numerous but scattered. This lecture will point researchers to sources for tracking their families during this tumultuous period.

3:30–4:30 PM British Colonial Period in NYS: Resources Available at the NYSL Presented by Michael Meyer, New York State Library The NYS Library has a number of resources relating to the British Colonial period in NYS that can be useful for researching family history. These include colonial laws, family papers, maps, loyalist claims, orderly books, and microfilm collections of original documents from the British Records Office such as “Colonial Office: New York Records, 1664–1781.”

DNA Signatures of Mayflower PassengersPresented by Janine Cloud, Sponsored by FamilyTreeDNAFor years, genealogists have researched and sought connec-tions to the 51 Mayflower passengers known to have descendants. This talk explores how DNA testing may be able to help confirm direct paternal and maternal lines through use of Y and mitochondrial DNA.

Researching New York State Institutional HospitalsPresented by Rhoda Miller, EdDConsiderable interest has been expressed in researching New York State institutional hospitals. Strategies for learning more about patients, and their experiences, will be presented despite privacy issues in obtaining records.


2020 New York State Family History Conference | NYSFHC In-person Program (Continued)

4:45–5:45 PM Making the Most of Ancestry.com’s Search EnginePresented by Alec Ferretti, MA, MLISAttendees will learn tips & tricks to more efficiently search Ancestry’s indexes, by under-standing how to leverage their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses. The nuances using records that have been indexed with OCR will be discussed, along with the idiosyncrasies of how they have indexed certain fields of certain records.

The Military Tract: New York Revolutionary War Bounty LandPresented by Skip DuettThe State of New York awarded 1.68 million acres of bounty land to its soldiers of the Revolutionary War in Central New York. The military bounty land opened up Central New York to white settlement and left an enduring system of land designa-tion that survives today. Your NY Rev War soldier may be identified in Military Tract documents.

The African American Experience in Three of New York’s Southern Tier Counties, 1803–1960Presented by Stanton Biddle, PhDThe African American experience in the rural “Southern Tier” counties of western New York State is largely unexplored. Using his own extended family as a case study, the presenter will document and describe that experience from the region’s first European settlement in the early 1800s through the 1950s when social and economic forces led to the departures of many to urban centers to the north and west.

Conference Sessions: Friday, September 11, 2020 (Schedule subject to change.)

8:30–9:00 AM Who Is Reclaim the Records?Presented by Alec Ferretti, MA, MLISLearn about the non-profit of scrappy genealogists who have banded together to use Freedom of Information Laws to release and publish long-obscured genealogical data!

The Textbook for New York Genealogy: The New York Family History Research Guide and GazetteerPresented by Susan R. MillerThe New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer (NYFHRGG) is an imposing 868-page tome. This New York essential sits on the desk or in the closest bookcase for many professional genealogists. Learn what it contains and, more importantly, how to use it.

Digital Organization for Everyone: Ways to Conquer the MessPresented by Michael CassaraAs genealogists, we are con-stantly seeking better ways to organize our treasures. Make sense of your electronic chaos, and get organized, digitally!

9:15–10:15 AM Stranger in a Strange Land: Italian Immigrant Workers on the NYS Canal SystemPresented by Pamela Vittorio, MAFrom 1903 to 1917, Italian immigrants began work between Albany and Buffalo on the newly-constructed NY State “Barge Canal.” Census records and government reports reveal the locations of several “labor camps” along the Erie and Champlain canals, and the difficulties this little-discussed group of canal workers faced under the rigid Padrone system.

A la Karte: Borders, Maps and Gazetteers for German GenealogistsPresented by James M. BeidlerThe borders of German-speaking lands in Europe followed a non-linear pattern that is at first difficult to unpack. Learn about the gamut of on- and off-line tools to overcome this difficulty.

Marking Family History: Commemorating Your Ancestor’s Contribution to their Community’s HistoryPresented by William G. Pomeroy and Deryn Pomeroy, Sponsored by the William G. Pomeroy FoundationThe William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s New York State Historic Marker Grant Program commemorates historic people, places, things and events. Could one of your ancestors qualify? Find out how to apply! Learn research tips on finding and identifying the primary sources needed, many of which are also excellent resources for genealog-ical research.



10:45–11:45 AM Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical ProblemsPresented by Aaron GoodwinLand records can be dull, confusing, or both, but experi-enced researchers know they’re worth the work. Deeds (or conveyances in New York) can help establish dates of residence, estimate ages, identify occupa-tions, and determine earlier and later residences. Most impor-tantly, they can identify relation-ships, both explicitly and implicitly.

First Steps for Evaluating Your DNA TestPresented by Angie Bush, MSYou’ve taken a DNA test, but aren’t quite sure what the first steps should be in reviewing your results. The presenter has evaluated DNA test results for 1000s of clients. Learn the process she uses to review DNA test results to understand how best to incorporate those results to answer genealogical research questions.

Albany as the Revolutionary War Hub of New York State: Sources in the Capital RegionPresented by Eric G. GrundsetAs a major patriot center during the Revolution, Albany became the powerhouse of activity for the patriot side in the Revolution and a major target for British and allied forces. Important records exist to help researchers identify the role of their ancestors in the struggle. Many are located at the New York State Library and the State Archives, but others are found elsewhere.

12:15–1:15 PM Plated Luncheon with a Live Q&A $ $39

1:30–2:30 PM New York’s “Palatines”: Diverse Origins, Mid-Atlantic DispersalPresented by James M. BeidlerThe first mass migration of German-speaking people landed in upstate New York in 1710 and have been intensively studied by Hank Jones. Review what records there are and the places to which many went.

Copyright Considerations for GenealogistsPresented by Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JDAs genealogists, intellectual property is one of our greatest assets. We write client reports, articles, blog posts, and so much more. Learn about how copyright and trademark law protects your intellectual property. And just as importantly, discover what you should do to avoid infringing on the rights of others!

Understanding New York State Local GovernmentPresented by Dave LowryThis session will introduce the multilayered, complex, and confusing world of New York State local government, an important source of genealogical records. It will provide tips on records access including the best contacts in each local government and introduce genealogists to some unusual records series.

2:45–3:45 PM New York City and State Governmental Vital RecordsPresented by Jane E. WilcoxNew York is a notoriously challenging state to find birth, death, and marriage records. Civil registration jurisdictions need to be clearly understood and considered, plus the key dates for laws and regulations that give context to what was actually collected, and when. And importantly, learn to navigate New York City and State governmental vital records, what is accessible today, and how to order records.

Preserving Documents & Photos Found in Genealogy ResearchPresented by Ariel Servadio, Sponsored by YourStory™ by Gaylord Archival®This session will go over a variety of our products and educational resources to help genealogists preserve items they find while researching their family history. We’ll cover: what “archival quality” means and why it’s important, safe handling techniques for fragile and valuable documents and photos, and safe storage options for different accessibility and volume needs. By the end of the demo, attendees will have a better understanding of how to make precious family memories last for future generations.

Why Big Y? Sequenced Y-DNA Testing and YouPresented by Janine Cloud, Sponsored by FamilyTreeDNAY-700 expanded Y-DNA research exponentially with over 100,000 SNPs added to the Y haplotree between July 2019 and May 2020. But what does that mean to the average genealogist trying to use Y testing to build a family tree? This session explains how this sequenced test may be your best investment to advance your paternal-line research.



4:00–5:00 PM Using the Resources of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial MuseumPresented by Michelle ChubenkoThis presentation will introduce the many different collections—books, manuscripts, and digital—to utilize at the U.S. Holocaust Museum (USHMM) when researching Holocaust and the post-World War II exodus of Central and Eastern European peoples. Learn about digital resources and how to conduct onsite research in the USHMM Library and Resource Center.

Using Indirect and Negative Evidence to Prove Unrecorded EventsPresented by Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, CGL®, FASG, FNGS, FUGAInformation hidden below the surface or totally absent helps researchers reconstruct events, identities, and relationships that no record specifies. Examples show how.

Did Your Colonial Ancestors Own SlavesPresented by Janice Lovelace, PhDDo you have New York ancestors who might have owned slaves? Did they live in colonial New York through early 19th century? This presentation discusses research-ing censuses, wills, court proceedings, business records and, newspapers for information.

5:30 – 6:30 PM New York Stories Live!Sponsored by YourStory™ by Gaylord Archival Listen to stories from across New York’s rich history from fellow conference attendees, speakers, and special guests. Have a story you would like to share? Now’s your chance!

Conference Sessions: Saturday, September 12, 2020 (Schedule subject to change.)

8:30–9:30 AM The Ancestry NY Portal: Accessing Digitized NYS Archives Records for FreePresented by Jamie Brinkman, New York State ArchivesThe NYS Archives has formed a partnership with Ancestry.com to digitized family history records and make them freely available via the Ancestry NY Portal. Learn about the collections already available, future uploads and the information you can expect to find in the records. Includes demonstra-tion of account setup and Portal use.

Dutch Naming Systems in Early AmericaPresented by Aaron GoodwinThose attending this session will find themselves rewarded with more than mere tidbits about strange and befuddling practices. Dutch naming systems are so important, in fact, that gaining a thorough understanding of them gives researchers the most effective tools they can have to answer longstanding questions and identify new avenues of research.

The (Underground) Railroad Runs Through Here—New YorkPresented by Janice Lovelace, PhDDo you have ancestors that might have been involved in the Underground Railroad? It began in the 1820s when much of the north had abolished slavery and functioned until the start of the Civil War. The primary paths were through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. How do you find records of those who were involved?



9:45–10:45 AM Decoding the Ancient Documents: Research in the Dutchess County Court RecordsPresented by William TatumIn 2016, Dutchess County launched an online search portal that now features 52,000 pages of county court records from 1721 to 1830. This presentation will explain the project background, explain strategies for using the search portal, and discuss several detailed case studies to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of county court records.

NYG&B’s New Online Records PlatformPresented by Frederick Wertz, MADiscover tips and tricks for using the NYG&B’s online records platform, including religious, cemetery, and census records from across New York State, the complete archive of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, and more.

Genealogical Proof for the Everyday GenealogistPresented by Annette Lyttle, MAHow do you know if the facts you’ve uncovered are correct? How do you avoid attaching somebody else’s ancestors to your family tree? The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is our guide to produc-ing reliable research results. This introduction to the GPS will get your research moving in the right direction and help you avoid errors and frustration.

11:15–12:15 PM Western New York Land—Using the Holland Land Company RecordsPresented by Skip DuettFrom 1803 through 1835, the Holland Land Company sold to the public a huge tract of land comprising most of Western New York. They created a vast trove of land records that exist outside the usual county repositories. Finding your ancestor in these records can add the critical land ownership piece to your Western New York genealogical puzzle.

Expanding Research to Backtrack New Yorkers to New EnglandPresented by Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, CGL®, FASG, FNGS, FUGATwo case studies demon-strate how searching beyond the person of interest led to establishing the separate origins of two unrelated Revolutionary War veterans who settled in New York with no record of their parents or prior residence.

Gravestone Conservation for GenealogistsPresented by Christopher White, MARemember that gravestone that was so dirty that you could not read it or the one that was tipped over? What can you do? What should you do? Discover what that dirt is and the proper methods for conserving gravestones. Determine why a gravestone is in its present condition. Learn what to do and what not to do so that you help preserve gravestones for the next generation.

12:30-1:30 PM Luncheon $ $39Preserving the Preservation: 150+ Years of Volunteers, Archivists and Genealogists Saving HistoryPresented by Frederick Wertz, MAAs researchers, we all owe a great deal to the individuals of the past and present who use their time and skill to preserve history. Since our earliest days, the genealogical community has recognized the impor tance of preserving historical documents—even the ones that appear mundane and meaningless to others—for the use of future generations.



1:30–2:30 PM Jersey Roots: Province to StatehoodPresented by Michelle ChubenkoNew Jersey’s early history challenges those searching for East and West Jersey ancestors. Learn about the history and records of the East Jersey Board of Proprietors and the Council of West Jersey Proprietors (1680s–1702) and the Provincial government through statehood in 1783. Discover NJ State Archives collections and other colonial period resources, such as court, religious, land, and probate records.

(Session to be announced.) Using DNA to Identify Biological Parents for Adoptees and OthersPresented by Angie Bush, MSLearn the basic methodology used by the experts to turn DNA matches into names and stories for biological parents or grandparents that were previously unknown.

2:45–3:45 PM The Article Isn’t About Your Family? You Should Read It Anyway!Presented by Karen Mauer Jones, CG®, FGBS, FUGAScholarly genealogical articles demonstrate the records, the strategies, and the thought processes necessary to perform successful research in any locality. Examples from The NYG&B Record illustrate how reading articles in scholarly journals will hone your research skills, even if not one of those articles touches on your ancestral lines.

The What’s New in DNA UpdatePresented by Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JDKeeping track of new and changing tools and methodol-ogies in the DNA/genetic genealogy world is tough. This session will help stay on top of the latest developments.

Looking for Your New York Tenant Farmer: Little-used ResourcesPresented by Jane E. WilcoxDocuments for Hudson Valley manors and their tenants have survived. Learn how and where to look for your tenant ancestors in these and other records.

3:45–4:15 PM Closing Reception A special gathering to exchange your favorite moments of the conference.



Conference Add-Ons

Syllabus $ (Schedule subject to change.)

The syllabus will be available for download for all in-person conference attendees.

Print Syllabus $ Additional $28, pick-up on-site

Syllabus on USB $ Additional $10, pick-up on-site

Conference Workshops $ (Schedule subject to change.)

Workshops offer a longer, more hands-on experience, and can be added on to conference registration for an extra fee.

Thursday, September 10, 8:30–11:00 AM

Fantastic Canal Records and Where to Find Them: NY Repositories $ $48Presented by Pamela Vittorio, MAIn this workshop, participants take a virtual trip through the NY State Archives and over twenty other repositories where they may discover information on their ancestors. Participants can choose to attend the entire 2.5-hours or one seventy-five-minute session: “From the Halls of Montezuma to the North of Albany” or “New York’s Wild West and the Southern Tier.”

Thursday, September 10, 8:30–11:00 AM

Beginner Workshop for German Ancestry $ $48Presented by James M. BeidlerThere are many contrasts in how to research Germans from the Colonial “First Wave” vs. the “Second Wave” in the century up to World War I. Get a hands-on feel for these differences and the best resources to research each one.

Friday, September 11, 2:00–4:30 PM

Using DNA Tools: Ancestry, MyHeritage, and 23andMe $ $58Presented by Angie Bush, MSThis workshop will teach participants how to use and interpret the features from the testing companies that are integrating DNA test results with family trees and historical data.

Saturday, September 12, 8:30–11:00 AM

Using the “What Are the Odds?” Tool $ $58Presented by Angie Bush, MSThis tool lets you test multiple hypotheses for relationships based on the amount of DNA you share with multiple matches. This would be best as a hands-on workshop.

Luncheons $ (Schedule subject to change.)

Added on to conference registration for an extra fee.

Friday, September 11, 12:15–1:15 PM

Plated Luncheon with a Live Q&A $ $39

Saturday, September 12, 12:30-1:30 PM

Luncheon $ $39Preserving the Preservation: 150+ Years of Volunteers, Archivists and Genealogists Saving HistoryPresented by Frederick Wertz, MAAs researchers, we all owe a great deal to the individuals of the past and present who use their time and skill to preserve history. Since our earliest days, the genealogical community has recognized the impor tance of preserving historical documents—even the ones that appear mundane and meaningless to others—for the use of future generations.



NYSFHC In-person Program Registration

NYSFHC In-person in Albany, NYAs of June 2020, we are still planning for In-person activities in Albany; we understand that circum-stances might change in the future. We continue to monitor official local, state, and federal guide-lines as we evaluate these activities moving forward. Your health and safety are our top priorities.

Should you wish to change your registration to the complete NYSFHC@Home Pass, you may do so at any time before August 15, 2020. Registrations will be converted to the full NYSFHC@Home Pass should we be unable to hold In-person activities in Albany.

Conference Sessions Choose from more than 50 live classes.

Workshops Option to attend In-person workshops, additional registration cost, see schedule.

Syllabi All materials for NYSFHC In-person sessions.

PDF included in registration, delivered by email

Print syllabus option $28, delivered at check-in in Albany.

Networking Share your research interests and questions and interact with other attendees

Social Events Engage in social events, including Q&As and network activities

New York Stories LIVE! A ticket to New York Stories LIVE! a brand-new event celebrating New York Stories

Luncheons Join us for a plated luncheon and presentations ( $ additional $39 per person) or take a break on your own. Box lunches ( $ ) will also be available.

Cancellation Policy Convert to NYSFHC@Home until August 15, or if the Albany event is canceled

Registration (through September 4)

$225 (Member)$279 (Non-Member)

2 0 2 0 N E W YO R K S TAT E FA M I LY H I S TO R Y C O N F E R E N C E 1 1


NYSFHC@Home Schedule At-A-GlanceSubject to change; All times Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−04:00)


Morning Open Q&A with the NYSFHC Team!

Afternoon Opening Session

Livestreamed Sessions (Access to sessions depends on your level of access pass)

Evening NYG&B Member Reception (All are Invited)!


Morning Friday Breakfast Chat (NYSFHC@Home Complete Pass)


Noon Luncheon Talk

Afternoon Livestreamed Sessions (Access to sessions depends on your level of access pass)

Evening New York Stories Live!Sponsored by: YourStory™ by Gaylord Archival®


Morning Friday Breakfast Chat (NYSFHC@Home Complete Pass)


Noon Luncheon Talk

Afternoon Livestreamed Sessions (Access to sessions depends on your level of access pass)

Speaker Question and Answer Session and NYSFHC 2020 Wrap-Up

On-demand Sessions available from September 10, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

NYSFHC@Home Sponsors

P R E S E N T I N G S P O N S O R

Peck Stacpoole Foundation

B I G A P P L E S P O N S O R

William G. Pomeroy Foundation

wpgfoundation.org

E M P I R E S P O N S O R S

American Ancestors by New England Historic Genealogical Society

americanancestors.org

FamilyTreeDNA

familytreedna.com

MyHeritagemyheritage.com

YourStory™ by Gaylord

Archival®

gaylord.com



NYSFHC@Home LivestreamedWatch these sessions, streamed LIVE as they happen! (All times Eastern Daylight Time).

C = Included in NYSFHC@Home SP = Sessions included in NYSFHC@Home Starter Pass


C SP 10:30 AM– 12:30 PM

Open Q&A with the NYSFHC Team!Last-minute questions about attending the event online? Wanting to do a last-minute audio check? Trying to decide which on-demand session to view first? The NYSFHC team will be online for an open question and answer session to ensure you are able to make the most out of NYSFHC 2020.

C SP 1:00–2:00 PM Opening Session—Preserving the Records of New York StateJoin NYG&B President D. Joshua Taylor as we open NYSFHC 2020 with an address from New York State Archivist, Thomas J. Ruller. Mr. Ruller will discuss the work of the New York State Archives and its role in the preservation of New York’s records.

C SP 2:15–3:15 PM Uncharted Waters: Diving into the Holdings of the New York State ArchivesPresented by Jane E. WilcoxThe New York State Archives (NYSA) holds a diverse collection of state governmental records. Learn familiar and obscure resources to help advance your NY research. Includes a finding aid demonstration.

C SP 3:30–4:30 PM DNA Signatures of Mayflower PassengersPresented by Janine Cloud; Sponsored by FamilyTreeDNAFor years, genealogists have researched and sought connections to the 51 Mayflower passengers known to have descendants. This talk explores how DNA testing may be able to help confirm direct paternal and maternal lines through use of Y and mitochondrial DNA.

C 4:45–5:45 PM The Military Tract: New York Revolutionary War Bounty LandPresented by Skip DuettThe State of New York awarded 1.68 million acres of bounty land to its soldiers of the Revolutionary War in Central New York. The military bounty land opened up Central New York to white settlement and left an enduring system of land designation that survives today. Your NY Rev War soldier may be identified in Military Tract documents.

C SP 6:00–7:00 PM NYG&B Member Reception (All are Invited)!Grab your favorite beverage from home and a few snacks and join fellow NYG&B members to mingle, share research adventures, and learn more about what’s new at the NYG&B.


C 7:30–8:15 AM Friday Breakfast ChatStart your day off right, ask questions, share your favorite sessions from Thursday with members of the NYSFHC team and other attendees.

C 8:30–9:00 AM The Textbook for New York Genealogy: The New York Family History Research Guide and GazetteerPresented by Susan R. MillerThe New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer (NYFHRGG) is an imposing 868-page tome. This New York essential sits on the desk or in the closest bookcase for many professional genealogists. Learn what it contains and, more importantly, how to use it.

C 9:15–10:15 AM A la Karte: Borders, Maps and Gazetteers for German GenealogistsPresented by James M. BeidlerThe borders of German-speaking lands in Europe followed a non-linear pattern that is at first difficult to unpack. Learn about the gamut of on- and off-line tools to overcome this difficulty.


2020 New York State Family History Conference | NYSFHC@Home Livestreamed (Continued)

C SP 10:45–11:45 AM First Steps for Evaluating Your DNA TestPresented by Angie Bush, MSYou’ve taken a DNA test, but aren’t quite sure what the first steps should be in reviewing your results. The presenter has evaluated DNA test results for 1000s of clients. Learn the process she uses to review DNA test results to understand how best to incorporate those results to answer genealogical research questions.

C 12:30–1:15 PM Luncheon TalkBring you lunch and enjoy this talk.

Preserving the Preservation: 150+ Years of Volunteers, Archivists and Genealogists Saving HistoryPresented by Frederick Wertz, MAAs researchers, we all owe a great deal to the individuals of the past and present who use their time and skill to preserve history. Since our earliest days, the genealogical community has recognized the importance of preserving historical documents—even the ones that appear mundane and meaningless to others—for the use of future generations.

C SP 1:30–2:30 PM Copyright Considerations for GenealogistsPresented by Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JDAs genealogists, intellectual property is one of our greatest assets. We write client reports, articles, blog posts, and so much more. Learn about how copyright and trademark law protects your intellectual property. And just as importantly, discover what you should do to avoid infringing on the rights of others!

C 2:45–3:45 PM Preserving Documents & Photos Found in Genealogy ResearchPresented by Ariel Servadio; Sponsored by YourStory™ by Gaylord Archival®This session will go over a variety of our products and educational resources to help genealogists preserve items they find while researching their family history. We’ll cover: what “archival quality” means and why it’s important, safe handling techniques for fragile and valuable documents and photos, and safe storage options for different accessibility and volume needs. By the end of the demo, attendees will have a better understanding of how to make precious family memories last for future generations.

C SP 4:00–5:00 PM Using Indirect and Negative Evidence to Prove Unrecorded EventsPresented by Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, CGL®, FASG, FNGS, FUGAInformation hidden below the surface or totally absent helps researchers reconstruct events, identities, and relationships that no record specifies. Examples show how.

C SP 5:30–6:30 PM New York Stories Live!Sponsored by: YourStory™ by Gaylord Archival®Listen to stories from across New York’s rich history from fellow conference attendees, speakers, and special guests. Have a story you would like to share? Now’s your chance!


C 7:30–8:15 AM Saturday Breakfast ChatStart your day off right, ask questions, share your favorite sessions from Thursday with members of the NYSFHC team and other attendees.

C 8:30–9:30 AM Dutch Naming Systems in Early AmericaPresented by Aaron GoodwinThose attending this session will find themselves rewarded with more than mere tidbits about strange and befuddling practices. Dutch naming systems are so important, in fact, that gaining a thorough understanding of them gives researchers the most effective tools they can have to answer longstanding questions and identify new avenues of research.

C 9:45–10:45 AM NYG&B’s NEW Online Records PlatformPresented by Frederick Wertz, MADiscover tips and tricks for using the NYG&B’s online records platform, including religious, cemetery, and census records from across New York State, the complete archive of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, and more.


2020 New York State Family History Conference | NYSFHC@Home Livestreamed (Continued)

C SP 11:15 AM– 12:15 PM

Expanding Research to Backtrack New Yorkers to New EnglandPresented by Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, CGL®, FASG, FNGS, FUGATwo case studies demonstrate how searching beyond the person of interest led to establishing the separate origins of two unrelated Revolutionary War veterans who settled in New York with no record of their parents or prior residence.

C 12:15–1:15 PM Luncheon TalkBring you lunch and enjoy this talk.

New York State of Mind Presented by Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG®, FUGA New York is more than “The City.” Come and explore a New York state of mind and all that it encom-passes. While native New Yorkers carried their customs, chutzpah, and positive influence to many other localities throughout the United States, people from other American regions or countries found their way to New York to experience success, fame, or sometimes disappointment. Join us for a visit to the lives and times of a few native or adoptive New Yorkers through a series of vignettes that capture that unique New York state of mind.

C SP 1:30–2:30 PM (Session to be announced.)

C 2:45–3:45 PM The What’s New in DNA UpdatePresented by Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JDKeeping track of new and changing tools and methodologies in the DNA/genetic genealogy world is tough. This session will help stay on top of the latest developments.

C SP 4:00–5:00 PM Speaker Question and Answer Session and NYSFHC 2020 Wrap-UpClose out your NYSFHC 2020 experience with an interactive Q&A session with selected conference speakers, the NYSFHC team, and a final chance to say farewell to new—and old—friends.



NYSFHC@Home On-Demand SessionsA full NYSFHC@Home pass includes the ability to view any (or all) of these on-demand sessions from NYSFHC 2020 from

September 10, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

C = Included in NYSFHC@Home SP = Sessions included in NYSFHC@Home Starter Pass

People of New York (and Beyond)

C The African American Experience in Three of New York’s Southern Tier Counties, 1803–1960Presented by Stanton Biddle, PhDThe African American experience in the rural “Southern Tier” counties of western New York State is largely unexplored. Using his own extended family as a case study, the presenter will document and describe that experience from the region’s first European settlement in the early 1800s through the 1950s when social and economic forces led to the departures of many to urban centers to the north and west.

C SP Did Your Colonial Ancestors Own SlavesPresented by Janice Lovelace, PhD Do you have New York ancestors who might have owned slaves? Did they live in colonial New York through the early 19th century? This presentation discusses researching censuses, wills, court proceed-ings, business records, and newspapers for information.

C Finding Your Irish Ancestral Place of Origin Using Collateral Research and Surname VariantsPresented by Terry Koch-BosticUsing surname variations, family collateral research, Griffith’s survey, and Grenham’s cross-correlation techniques are essential to locating your ancestor’s unknown Irish townland and place of origin.

C SP Genealogical Research in the Austro-Hungarian EmpirePresented by Michelle Chubenko Discover resources to research your ancestor from the multi-ethnic historical Austro-Hungarian Empire and how to determine the location of your ancestral town. Learn strategies to locate available records and relevant archives in the twelve successor (modern) countries. Examples of records and their importance, both from North America and from Europe, will be discussed.

C Looking for Your New York Tenant Farmer: Little-used ResourcesPresented by Jane E. Wilcox Documents for Hudson Valley manors and their tenants have survived. Learn how and where to look for your tenant ancestors in these and other records.

C Marking Family History: Commemorating Your Ancestor’s Contribution to their Community’s History Presented by William G. Pomeroy and Deryn Pomeroy, Sponsored by the William G. Pomeroy FoundationThe William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s New York State Historic Marker Grant Program commemorates historic people, places, things and events. Could one of your ancestors qualify? Find out how to apply! Learn research tips on finding and identifying the primary sources needed, many of which are also excellent resources for genealogical research.

C New York’s “Palatines”: Diverse Origins, Mid-Atlantic DispersalPresented by James M. Beidler The first mass migration of German-speaking people landed in upstate New York in 1710 and have been intensively studied by Hank Jones. Review what records there are and the places to which many went.

C Stranger in a Strange Land: Italian Immigrant Workers on the NYS Canal SystemPresented by Pamela Vittorio, MAFrom 1903 to 1917, Italian immigrants began work between Albany and Buffalo on the newly-constructed NY State “Barge Canal.” Census records and govern-ment reports reveal the locations of several “labor camps” along the Erie and Champlain canals, and the difficulties this little-discussed group of canal workers faced under the rigid Padrone system.

C Using the Resources of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial MuseumPresented by Michelle Chubenko This presentation will introduce the many different collections—books, manuscripts, and digital—to utilize at the U.S. Holocaust Museum (USHMM) when researching Holocaust and the post-World War II exodus of Central and Eastern European peoples. Learn about digital resources and how to conduct onsite research in the USHMM Library and Resource Center.


2020 New York State Family History Conference | NYSFHC@Home On-Demand Sessions (Continued)

Places in New York

C Albany as the Revolutionary War Hub of New York State: Sources in the Capital RegionPresented by Eric G. Grundset As a major patriot center during the Revolution, Albany became the powerhouse of activity for the patriot side in the Revolution and a major target for British and allied forces. Important records exist to help researchers identify the role of their ancestors in the struggle. Many are located at the New York State Library and the State Archives, but others are found elsewhere.

C Decoding the Ancient Documents: Research in the Dutchess CountyPresented by William Tatum In 2016, Dutchess County launched an online search portal that now features 52,000 pages of county court records from 1721 to 1830. This presentation will explain the project background, explain strategies for using the search portal, and discuss several detailed case studies to illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of county court records.

C Location, Location, Location: The Oblong of Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester Counties, NYPresented by Judith A. Herbert, CG® A strip of land that was sometimes part of Connecticut and sometimes part of New York, known as The Oblong, has a rich history and was home to some of the area’s early families. Understanding The Oblong geographically and administratively will help you to locate records of your ancestors that lived in the area.

C New York vs New Hampshire and Vermont: Records and Research in the Late 18th CenturyPresented by Eric G. Grundset Rival claims by New York and New Hampshire over the land that became Vermont created a nightmare for researchers in the 21st century. The records for study of the region during this period are numerous but scat-tered. This lecture will point researchers to sources for tracking their families during this tumultuous period.

C The (Underground) Railroad Runs through Here—New YorkPresented by Janice Lovelace, PhD Do you have ancestors that might have been involved in the Underground Railroad? It began in the 1820s when much of the north had abolished slavery and functioned until the start of the Civil War. The primary paths were through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. How do you find records of those who were involved?



New York’s Records

C The Ancestry NY Portal: Accessing Digitized NYS Archives Records for Free Presented by Jamie Brinkman, New York State Archives The NYS Archives has formed a partnership with Ancestry.com to digitized family history records and make them freely available via the Ancestry NY Portal. Learn about the collections already available, future uploads and the information you can expect to find in the records. Includes demonstration of account setup and Portal use.

C SP New York City and State Governmental Vital RecordsPresented by Jane E. Wilcox New York is notoriously challenging to find births, deaths, and marriages. Learn to navigate New York City and State governmental vital records.

C Oddball records in NYSPresented by Matthew Urtz Roundtable discussion featuring local government historians, the NYS Library, and others discussing unique records from their offices that might have information useful for genealogists.

C SP Researching New York State Institutional HospitalsPresented by Rhoda Miller, EdDConsiderable interest has been expressed in research-ing New York State institutional hospitals. Strategies for learning more about patients, and their experiences, will be presented despite privacy issues in obtaining records.

C Understanding New York State Local GovernmentPresented by Dave Lowry This session will introduce the multilayered, complex, and confusing world of New York State local govern-ment, an important source of genealogical records. It will provide tips on records access including the best contacts in each local government and introduce genealogists to some unusual records series.

C Western New York Land—Using the Holland Land Company RecordsPresented by Skip Duett From 1803 through 1835, the Holland Land Company sold to the public a huge tract of land comprising most of Western New York. They created a vast trove of land records that exist outside the usual county repositories. Finding your ancestor in these records can add the critical land ownership piece to your Western New York genealogical puzzle.

C Who Is Reclaim the Records?Presented by Alec Ferretti, MA, MLISLearn about the non-profit of scrappy genealogists who have banded together to use Freedom of Information Laws to release and publish long-obscured genealogi-cal data!

DNA and Technology

C Digital Organization for Everyone: Ways to Conquer the MessPresented by Michael CassaraAs genealogists, we are constantly seeking better ways to organize our treasures. Make sense of your electronic chaos, and get organized, digitally!

C SP Making the Most of Ancestry.com’s Search EnginePresented by Alec Ferretti, MA, MLISAttendees will learn tips & tricks to more efficiently search Ancestry’s indexes, by understanding how to leverage their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses. The nuances using records that have been indexed with OCR will be discussed, along with the idiosyncrasies of how they have indexed certain fields of certain records.

C SP Using DNA to Identify Biological Parents for Adoptees and OthersPresented by Angie Bush, MSLearn the basic methodology used by the experts to turn DNA matches into names and stories for biological parents or grandparents that were previously unknown.

C SP Why Big Y? Sequenced Y-DNA Testing and YouPresented by Janine Cloud, Sponsored by FamilyTreeDNAY-700 expanded Y-DNA research exponentially with over 100,000 SNPs added to the Y haplotree between July 2019 and May 2020. But what does that mean to the average genealogist trying to use Y testing to build a family tree? This session explains how this sequenced test may be your best investment to advance your paternal-line research.


2020 New York State Family History Conference | NYSFHC@Home On-Demand Sessions (Continued)

Methods and Best Practices

C The Article Isn’t About Your Family? You Should Read It Anyway!Presented by Karen Mauer Jones, CG®, FGBS, FUGA Scholarly genealogical articles demonstrate the records, the strategies, and the thought processes necessary to perform successful research in any locality. Examples from The NYG&B Record illustrate how reading articles in scholarly journals will hone your research skills, even if not one of those articles touches on your ancestral lines.

C SP Genealogical Proof for the Everyday GenealogistPresented by Annette Lyttle, MA How do you know if the facts you’ve uncovered are correct? How do you avoid attaching somebody else’s ancestors to your family tree? The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is our guide to producing reliable research results. This introduction to the GPS will get your research moving in the right direction and help you avoid errors and frustration.

C Gravestone Conversation for GenealogistsPresented by Christopher White, MARemember that gravestone that was so dirty that you could not read it or the one that was tipped over? What can you do? What should you do? Discover what that dirt is and the proper methods for conserving grave-stones. Determine why a gravestone is in its present condition. Learn what to do and what not to do so that you help preserve gravestones for the next generation.

C Identifying the wife of Jacob Lasher of Germantown, Columbia Co., New YorkPresented by Julie Miller, CG®, CGL®, FNGS Using New York resources, this case study demon-strates how a carefully crafted proof argument chal-lenged long-accepted published genealogies and online trees.

C SP Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical ProblemsPresented by Aaron Goodwin Land records can be dull, confusing, or both, but experienced researchers know they’re worth the work. Deeds (or conveyances in New York) can help establish dates of residence, estimate ages, identify occupations, and determine earlier and later residences. Most importantly, they can identify relationships, both explicitly and implicitly.



NYSFHC@Home Registration Options

C NYSFHC@Home SP NYSFHC@Home Starter Pass

Livestreamed Sessions 14 Livestreamed Sessions

30 On-Demand Sessions Access more than 44 hours from September 10–30, 2020.

8 Livestreamed Sessions

8 On-Demand Sessions Access eight specific sessions from September 10–30, 2020.

Networking and Social Events

Share your research interests and questions and interact with other attendees. Engage in social events, including Q&As and other activities.

Exhibit Hall Interact with exhibitors through the NYSFHC@Home online exhibit hall.

New York Stories LIVE! Attend an evening celebrating New York Stories. Sponsored by YourStory™ by Gaylord Archival®.

Luncheons Friday and Saturday lunch and learns—you bring the food, and we provide the speaker

Syllabi All materials for NSYFHC@Home sessions.

PDF delivered by email.

Print syllabus option $28, delivered by mail.

Materials for sessions in the Starter Pass.

PDF delivered by email.

Registration (through September 4)

