This issue of the NYG&B eNews was delivered on August 3, 2018. Our email newsletter is published twice a month and includes:
- The latest news about online records
- Research tips and guides from the New York State experts
- Announcements about upcoming webinars and programs
- Special discounts on NYG&B publications, events, and membership
Would you like the NYG&B eNews delivered right to your inbox as soon as it's hot off the press? The eNews is only sent twice a month, and we never give your email address to third parties, under any circumstances.
In This Issue
- Read the July issue of The Record online
- 6 quick tips: How to prepare for a genealogy cemetery trip
- NY State Family History Conference: More detailed descriptions added for all 45 sessions
- Support genealogy and historical preservation: Join the NYG&B and Russell Shorto this fall
- New record collections online: NYS Birth Index, NYC Almshouse Ledgers, and NYC Bodies in Transit
- Upcoming Events and Programs
Read the July Record Online
The July issue of The Record has likely arrived in mailboxes by now, but NYG&B members can also read the issue online.
This issue is full of articles that all serious NY researchers will want to read -learning from peer-reviewed genealogy articles is one of the best ways to improve your skills. Here are the contents of this issue:
- Peter F. Valleau (about 1735–after 1790) of Dutchess County, New York: From “Unplaced Item” to An Identity
- Reuniting the Family of William and Eliza (Blunt) Hooker of Nineteenth-Century New York City
- Isaac Reynolds (1773–1850) of Bedford, Westchester County, New York (concluded)
- James Sutton Jr. (1841–1891), Publisher of The Aldine (concluded)
- Chloe (Foster) (Kately/Cately) Wells of Leyden, Massachusetts, and Cortland County, New York (concluded)
- Putnam County, New York, Clerk Receipt Book, 1821–1827 (continued)
Click here to read the issue online.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
How to Prepare for a Cemetery Trip
Summer is in full swing and is an excellent time to explore cemeteries and find clues about our ancestors. Of course, depending on where you are or where you're traveling, early-morning and evening excursions might be the coolest option!
Whether you are traveling for genealogy research, adding a valuable pit stop to the family vacation, or just want to explore your local cemeteries, it's a good idea to plan ahead.
This blog, authored by NYG&B summer intern Bryley Williams, has six quick tips that will help make your next cemetery trip productive and enjoyable.
Daniel Horowitz, Chief Genealogy Officer at MyHeritage, recently spoke on this topic at our offices in New York. This blog is based on his lecture, which contains many more valuable pointers - if you have a trip on the calendar, you'll want to watch the full recording of his lecture, which is available for NYG&B members to watch on-demand on our website. Click here to read.
New Details on NYSFHC Sessions
The NYS Family History Conference website has recently been updated to include descriptions of each of the 45 sessions available to attendees. Click here to learn more about the sessions, which include:
- 10 classes dedicated to New York State topics
- 10 sessions on DNA and Genetic Genealogy
- 8 sessions about New York repositories and websites
- 9 sessions teaching essential genealogy research methods
- 8 sessions about other United States genealogy topics
The conference lineup features nationally-recognized experts in the field, who will equip you with the tools to make more discoveries in your family history research.
Spots for the 2018 NY State Family History Conference are running out fast! If you would like to attend, but haven't yet registered, sign up and save your spot today - registration closes September 6 and the next conference isn't until 2020!
Support Genealogy and Preservation With Russell Shorto and the NYG&B
The NYG&B has been preserving, documenting, and sharing the stories of New York's families since 1869. As a non-profit genealogy society, we rely on the support of our members and donors and we are sincerely thankful for your support and interest in our mission.
We invite you and your friends to join us October 26 for our annual Fall Benefit Luncheon, featuring award-winning author, Russell Shorto.
Our members, donors, and NYG&B community will gather for a fantastic meal, great conversation, and a talk by Mr. Shorto. He will discuss his body of work, as well as his current research interest: his own family. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.
New Records Online
This was a great week of news for researchers with ancestors anywhere in New York State - the New York City Municipal Archives Almshouse Ledger and Bodies in Transit collections were put online, and the New York state birth index is now online for the first time ever at Ancestry.com.
The New York State Birth Index (1880 - 1942) holds the birth certificate number for millions of people in New York State - a crucial piece of information for anyone seeking their ancestor's birth certificate.
The New York City Almshouse Records (1758 - 1934) cover a large time period and are excellent sources for tracking the urban poor, who can be notoriously hard to find in other records, especially in earlier times.
The New York City Bodies in Transit (1859 - 1894) collection is a unique record set that contains information about a wide range of individuals, including many Civil War soldiers (both Union and Confederate). Even the record of President Abraham Lincoln's body can be found in this collection.
Click here to read our blog, which has links to the collections, along with some background and useful tips for researchers who plan to dive in.
Upcoming Events and Programs
Thursday, September 13 - 15: New York State Family History Conference
Monday, October 15: Webinar - Mapping Your New York Ancestors
Tuesday, October 16: Webinar - Finding Ancestors in New York City Vital Records in the 1800s and Early-1900s
Friday, October 19: Webinar - Using the NYG&B Website
Friday, October 26: NYG&B Fall Benefit Luncheon Featuring Russell Shorto
Wednesday, October 31 - November 2: Research in Albany Tour (sold out - waiting list available)
November 1: Project Launch Reception for the NY State Archives Guide
Thursday, November 15: Webinar - Proving Parentage Through Indirect Evidence: The Importance of Sibling Records
About the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
a registered 501(c)(3) organization devoted to
preserving, documenting, and sharing the history of
New York State families. Read more about our mission.
Since 1869, our mission has been to help our thousands of worldwide members discover their family's New York story, and there has never been a better time to join.
The cost of an Individual Annual Membership is less than six dollars a month, and includes the following benefits:
- Access to over 50 exclusive digital record sets covering the entire state of New York, including the fully searchable archives of The Record.
- A complimentary subscription to all of Findmypast's North American records, as well as U.K. and Irish Census records.
- Access to hundreds of expert-authored Knowledge Base articles and webinars to help you navigate the tricky New York research landscape.
- Exclusive discounts and advanced access to conferences, seminars, workshops and lectures to learn more about researching people and places across New York State.
To learn more or join us, please visit our member benefits page.