RootsTech is just under one month away! You’ll be able to connect with and learn from the NYG&B all week long at North America’s largest genealogy conference, held from February 28 to March 3, 2018, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.   

RootsTech is a global family history event that draws thousands of genealogy enthusiasts to Salt Lake City - the conference features the most prominent genealogy educators and professionals in the world, and has a special emphasis on using the most cutting-edge technology available to find more family members and stories.

If you’re interested in learning more about RootsTech, visit the RootsTech website. It’s not too late to register to attend in person - some sessions may be available to watch streaming online. 

The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society will be attending the conference in full force - we’ll have a booth in the exhibit hall, a demonstration of our website in the demo theater, and our experts will be giving numerous lectures throughout the week. Read on to see where to connect with us!

 

In the Expo Hall

As a sponsor of the conference, you’ll be able to find the New York G&B booth (number 1229) halfway between the main entrance and the concession stand. Read on to see why our booth is a must-visit location:

 

Discounts on New York research guides

We’re bringing a large number of publications that cover a wide variety of topics related to New York State family history research.

We’ll have copies of the Revised Edition of the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer - an entirely comprehensive text to New York State research, now in two volumes with many important updates since the first printing.

Those who are zeroed in on the ever-challenging topic of New York State vital records may be interested in a new NYG&B Guide: New York Birth, Marriage, & Death Records. This guide is extracted from the Revised Edition of the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer and contains everything you need to know about the landscape of New York State vital records and vital record substitutes.

We will also have dozens of other useful books:

• New York City Municipal Archives: An Authorized Guide
• Research guides for all of New York's 62 counties - each includes a county map, gazetteer, list of repositories, and select print and online resources.
• Subject-specific guides to topics like State Censuses and substitutes, probate records, Irish research, and more.

Swing by to see what our conference specials are - we'll be offering some great discounts! 

 

Speak with the New York experts

We want to hear your New York story! Swing by and tell us about your New York ancestors - especially the ones you’re having trouble finding.

Our experts know New York research in all regions and time periods and are well-versed in genealogy methodology.

Whether you’re not sure where to start or are facing a challenging brick wall, we’ll be happy to provide some helpful suggestions by recommending particular resources, repositories, or record sets to investigate.  

Come ready with your New York research questions - we’ll point you in the right direction.

 

 

Explore what the NYG&B has to offer

Our booth will also showcase everything that our society - the second oldest in America - has to offer.

There will be a computer available for you to explore our website, newyorkfamilyhistory.org, which features online New York records, expert-authored research aide articles, and a library of webinars.

Search nearly 150 years worth of New York research in The Record, or explore our large collection of New York State religious records. Read our recent blog to learn more about using the NYG&B website to find ancestors and improve your skills. 

We also invite you to explore the newest product of NYG&B Labs, “Mapping The Record” - a location-based search engine that will let you explore articles in The Record by geographic location.

Our team will also be on hand to tell you about our quarterly publications, upcoming events, member discounts and more.

 

Watch us in the Demo Theater for a chance to win a free one-year membership to the NYG&B

Join us in the Expo Hall’s Demo Theater for a quick tour of the NYG&B’s website and upcoming events.

At the end of the presentation, we will award an audience member with a free one-year membership to the NYG&B.

The demo will explore what you can find on newyorkfamilyhistory.org, what exciting things we have planned for 2018 and 2019, and how you can keep up with us. We hope to see you there!

 

 

NYG&B Lectures

Our team will also be behind the podium this RootsTech, in both the lecture halls and demo theater. Our topics will touch on aspects of New York research but will be useful and fascinating for genealogical researchers of all states and regions.

 

Big Data: Buzz Word or Family History Revolution? (RT6262)

Wednesday, February 28, 9:30 am

Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor, NYG&B President

We’ve heard the term for years now, but what does it really mean for genealogists? Come explore the ways “big data” will change the family history world.

Because “Big Data” can be difficult to define and relate to genealogy, many have cast it aside as mere modern buzz word. But believe it or not, Big Data has already impacted the world of genealogy and family history in a tremendous way.

Put simply, Big Data refers to the insights and analysis that can only be obtained from looking at a set of data that is extraordinarily large - something that is only possible recently due to the computer power needed for such analysis, and the fact that Big Data sets are now more common than ever thanks to an increasingly connected world.

In this lecture, D. Joshua Taylor will review exactly what big data is, and delve into the possibilities for family history research, of which there are many. In fact, Big Data is already influencing a number of changes within the genealogy industry - come learn what they are and how to make use of them in your own research.

 

Records - Different Sizes, Types, and Names (GS3928)

Wednesday, February 28, 3:00 pm

Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor

Come and learn about all types of records that you can use to learn more about your family and ancestors.

The good news is that more is possible than ever - millions of records are available to assist you in your family history search, both online and in libraries and repositories throughout America.

Various towns, counties, states, and countries offer a variety of records that can hold important clues to the lives of your ancestors.

D. Joshua Taylor will review the essential combination that forms the foundation of all genealogy research: Vital and census records. 

After learning all about these two types of records, where to find them, and how to use them, the class will review the next steps: Newspapers, immigration records, and more. 

This session is perfect for beginners, but may also serve as a great brush-up for more intermediate genealogists. 

 

Call to Action: Diversity in Family History Tech (RT6268) 

Thursday, Mar 1, 11:00 am

Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor

With the age of "global genealogy" upon us, what do technologists need to do before we can call our industry truly diverse? Join NYG&B President D. Joshua Taylor as he explores this pressing question. After all, diversity in family history technology is fundamental to anyone interested in family history.

Just as we strive to be accepted for who we are today, we must also work to represent our ancestors on their own terms, and within their own context. Our technological tools must meet these needs.

Those who undertake the study of genealogy and family history often relate the idea that every family has a story. While various elements of an individual’s lifetime and their family might not align with our own belief system or traditions, we should be able to identify, preserve, and share these stories on their own terms.

 

Using Geo-Tech Tools to Answer Research Questions (RT3926)

Thursday, March 1, 3:00 pm

Speaker: Frederick Wertz, NYG&B Digital Services Manager

Do you think about location often in your research? Genealogy is all about finding a particular person in a specific location at a specific time - we think so often of names and dates, but many researchers don’t give location the attention it deserves.

This class will review why location is so important in American genealogy, and how we can think about it to break through brick walls and make more discoveries. Now, researchers can do more than ever with location thanks to the geospatial technology revolution currently underway.

Put simply, geospatial technology allows us to use the most advanced programs and computers in the world to look at maps and location in new ways. While the technology behind producing and creating such tools is very complicated, using the tools is thankfully easy and straightforward.

You no longer need a degree in advanced computer cartography or geospatial analysis to make use of the many tools that are out there. Frederick Wertz will explore the latest developments in geospatial technology tools, and how you can use them to improve your research and even tell your family stories.

 

If you plan to see us at RootsTech, let us know on Facebook or Twitter - we would love to hear from you! Make sure to visit the RootsTech 2018 website if you haven’t registered yet. If you have a smartphone, download the RootsTech App and add all NYG&B lectures to your schedule so you receive reminders and updates.

 

About the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society

Since 1869, the NYG&B's 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.

 

Read More

• Are you asking the right research question?

• Eleven ways to use the NYG&B website to improve your skills and find ancestors

• Surprising facts about immigration to New York

• A genealogical writing journey: An interview with Shannon Green