This genealogy blog will not be updated as of April 7, 2025 due to the retirement of the librarian in charge of the blog.
Please follow her at her new website and blog at: https://www.newyorkgenlinks.com/blog/
Focusing on genealogy research with emphasis on New York State
This genealogy blog will not be updated as of April 7, 2025 due to the retirement of the librarian in charge of the blog.
Please follow her at her new website and blog at: https://www.newyorkgenlinks.com/blog/
Several free genealogy programs will be offered this week covering: DNA research and FamilySearch.org.
The Mid-Continent Public Library will present “Organizing Your Genealogy Research” on Monday, April 7 at 3 p.m. Eastern time. The research process includes goals, questions, sources, information, evidence, and conclusions. Learn to use task management software, research logs, and other tools to keep track.
To register, go to: https://www.mymcpl.org/events/106091/organizing-your-genealogy-research-process-zoom
Pikes Peak Library District will present “Google for Genealogy Research” on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. Google is an amazing tool for research! In this class, we’ll cover how to perform more effective genealogy searches and provide an overview of some of Google’s best tools for researching your ancestors.
To register, go to: https://ppld.librarymarket.com/event/intermediate-genealogy-class-virtual-class-465870
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will present “I’ve Done My DNA..Now What?” on Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. Learn more about Ancestry DNA. Learn how to access your matches, download your DNA data, and to maximize matches using Gedmatch.com. Participants will also learn about various DNA tests and which companies to start with.
To register, go to: https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/67ab67988fc0a328001a4623
The Genealogical Society of Saratoga will present “What’s New at FamilySearch” on Saturday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. Tim Cross has worked as a Product Manager for FamilySearch for over 19 years. While at FamilySearch, Tim has managed the definition and release of FamilySearch’s Photos and Stories (Memories) as well as FamilySearch Notifications.
To register, go to: https://www.gssfl.org/event-5740491
The website Fold3.com is offering free access to its Civil War collection from today until April 15, 2025 at 1:59 a.m. Eastern time.
Discover the story of your Civil War ancestors with free access to over 96 million Civil War records. Explore Service Records, Unit Histories, photographs, maps, POW Records, pension files, military letters, Special Orders, soldiers homes records, and much more.
You will need to set up a free user name and password. After the free access period ends, you will only be able to view records using a paid Fold3 membership.
To start searching, go to: https://www.fold3.com/go/freeaccess?xid=7779
Organizations of the Genealogy Federation of Long Island will be offering several free programs in April.
Thursday, April 3 – Making a Federal Case of It – German Genealogy Group – 7:30 p.m. – Virtual – Members Only; https://www.germangenealogygroup.com
Sunday, April 6 – Shining a Light on Mount Hebron Cemetery and the Legacy Foundation – Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island – 2 p.m. – Hybrid; https://jgsli.org
Tuesday, April 8 – What to Do with Your Ancestry DNA Matches – North Shore Genealogy Collective – 7 p.m. – Virtual; https://glencovelibrary.libcal.com/event/13886776
Wednesday, April 9 – Virtual Genealogy Discussion Group – Patchogue-Medford Public Library – 10 a.m.; https://pmlib.org
Saturday, April 12 – The Italian Immigration Experience – Italian Genealogical Group – 10:30 a.m. – Hybrid; https://italiangen.org
Location: Bethpage Public Library
Saturday, April 19 – Emigrant Savings Bank Records- Irish Family History Forum – 10:30 a.m. – Hybrid; https://ifhf.org
Location: Freeport Public Library
Tuesday, April 22 – Using FamilySearch.org to Find Your Jewish Ancestors – Jewish Genealogy Society of Long Island – 7 p.m. – Hybrid; https://jgsli.org
Wednesday, April 23 – Virtual Genealogy Discussion Group – Patchogue-Medford Public Library – 10 a.m.; https://pmlib.org
Tuesday, April 29 – Genealogy Club Round Table – Glen Cove Public Library – 7 – 8 p.m. – In Person – https://glencovelibrary.libcal.com/event/13886654
For more information on the Genealogy Federation of Long Island, go to: gfli.net
The 6th Annual 24-Hour Genealogy Webinar Marathon hosted by FamilyTreeWebinars.com and MyHeritage begins Thursday, April 3 at 5 p.m. Eastern U.S. time and ends on Friday, April 4 at 5 p.m. Eastern U.S. time.
The webinars are free and are 45 minutes long. There will be a variety of topics including: DNA and artificial intelligence. Below is a listing of some of the presentations taking place during the marathon.
Organizing Your Genealogy Files
Seven Sources for Seeking Scoundrels
DNA Testing: When the Unexpected Knocks on Your Door
15 Top Tips for Colonial New England Research
From Research to Writing: AI Tools for Genealogists
To register for any of the marathon webinars, go to: https://familytreewebinars.com/24-marathon/
Several free genealogy programs will be offered this week covering: artificial intelligence and surname problems.
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library will present “Research Tips for Unique Family Names” on Wednesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. Struggling with misspelled or altered ancestral names? Learn key strategies like wildcard searches, soundex systems, and linguistic patterns to uncover hidden family records. This session will help you track your ancestors—no matter how their names were recorded.
To register, go to: https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/67abc19a2a99913600cc636d
Legacy Family Tree Webinars will present “GPTs for Family History” on Thursday, April 3 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Explore the cutting-edge world of Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs) and their applications in family history in this webinar. Learn about the various GPT models available, how they can be utilised to enhance your genealogical research, and the benefits they offer in terms of efficiency and creativity. The session will also provide a guide on how to create your own GPT tailored to your family history needs, from data preparation to fine-tuning the model.
To register, go to: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/gpts-for-family-history-unlocking-the-potential-of-ai/
Ontario Ancestors will present “Solve Your Picture Problems” on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. Pictures tell a brilliant story about our ancestors. But what do we do when pictures have problems. No writing on the back? Too many conflicting names and dates? Unfamiliar faces? Come learn the antidote to these dilemmas and finally use those pictures in your research.
To register, go to: https://ogs.on.ca/april-webinar-solving-your-picture-problems-allyson-maughan/
The Southern California Genealogical Society will present “Genealogy in the Digital Age” on Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Explore how genealogists can enhance their research, organization, and writing using a range of free technology tools. Designed for both novice and experienced genealogists who are looking to optimize their efforts without breaking the bank. The program will cover four key areas: organization, research, writing, and plotting land deeds.
To register, go to: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3342129865413771862
Several free genealogy webinars will take place this week covering: researching female ancestors and cemetery research.
North San Diego County Genealogical Society will present “The Value of Using Maps” on Tuesday, March 25 at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Maps are one of the great resources for finding clues about the lives and lifestyles of our ancestors. Maps can show us when and where boundaries changed, help to recreate a community, plot migration routes, and aid in visualizing a view of the community. This program will look at the many available maps to help pinpoint your ancestors. Atlases, historical maps, military maps, fire insurance maps are all terrific sources. To register, go to: https://nsdcgs.org/program-meetings/
The Boston Public Library will present “A Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing” on Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. Your local cemetery is a time capsule. Each headstone is plastered with clues about the deceased, those who once walked where you’re walking now. A simple step through the hallowed gates can bring you on an adventure to explore symbolism, workmanship, and local history. Learn about the meaning behind cemetery iconography, abbreviations, epitaphs and more.
To register, go to: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/677d535059163a2f0038dc1f
AARP will present “How Digital Tools Can Help You Discover Your Family History” on Wednesday, March 26 at 3 p.m. Eastern time. You don’t have to be a genealogy expert to research your ancestry and find out about your family history. We’ll discuss some of the most popular digital tools available and explore their features. Learn about how to access free resources, including those available from public libraries, and explore websites offering tips and guidance on creating your own digital family tree.
You do not need to be a member of AARP. To register, go to: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/genealogy-explore-your-roots-with-digital-tools-fkn23byj695.html
Allen County Public Library will present “Discovering Female Ancestors” on Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. Female ancestors often leave fewer records behind, but their lives were pivotal in shaping our families and communities. In this program, learn how to navigate unique challenges in tracing women’s genealogies, discover valuable resources, and explore creative strategies to uncover the rich histories of the women in your family tree. To register, go to: https://acpl.libnet.info/event/12920287

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here are some links that may help you with your research.
www.ifhf.org – Irish Family History Forum group which meets in Bethpage
www.genuki.org.uk/big/irl – Information by county and many useful links and information
https://www.johngrenham.com –Can search by surname search, place name search, ancestor search
www.irishgenealogy.ie ($) – Location search, birth record search and gravestone index
www.ancestryireland.com – Ulster Historical Foundation, some free and some pay databases
www.nationalarchives.ie – National Archives of Ireland
www.tiara.ie – Irish Ancestral Research Association
www.irelandgenweb.com – Information by county – part of WorldGen Web
nir-roots.org – Northern Ireland information by county – part of WorldGen Web
www.nli.ie/family-history– National Library of Ireland
www.rootsireland.ie – Irish Family History Foundation
www.emeraldancestors.com ($) – Databases with marriage, birth, death and census records for Northern Ireland
Several free genealogy webinars will be offered this week, covering: Irish genealogy and artificial intelligence.
The Midwest Genealogy Center will present “Researching World War I Heroes” on Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m. Learn how to research World War I soldiers’ service records and find information that speaks to their experiences during the war. This information can help us understand what it was like to serve and give voice to their stories.
To register, go to: https://www.mymcpl.org/events/106004/researching-world-war-i-heroes-hybrid
AARP will present “Getting Started on Your Irish Genealogy” on Monday, March 17 at 7 p.m. Jump-start your Irish ancestry research in this virtual genealogy workshop where you’ll learn about helpful online resources and how to navigate them.
To register, go to: https://local.aarp.org/vcc-event/getting-started-on-your-irish-genealogy-pznfwvjkwch.html
Genealogical Society of New Jersey will present “Documenting Family History in the Digital Age” on Wednesday, March 19 at 8 p.m. This presentation will explore three essential pillars for modern family historians: sharing research on public platforms, transforming raw facts into meaningful stories, and creating a dedicated family history archive.
To register, go to: https://www.gsnj.org/2025-webinar-series-your-roots-pursuits/
Legacy Family Tree Webinars will present “Tracing Your Ancestor Back to the Old Country” on Wednesday, March 19 at 2 p.m. Although most American records do not specify immigrants’ exact places of origin, by doing a wholistic study of an entire family, it’s often possible to determine exactly from where they came. Learn about the different kinds of records that can help determine an immigrant’s exact place of birth, such as parish records, ship manifests, naturalization petitions, social security applications, alien registrations and more!
To register, go to: https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/off-the-boat-tracing-your-ancestor-back-to-the-old-country/
Florida State Genealogical Society will present “Use AI to Research Your Family Photos and Letters” on Thursday, March 20 at 8 p.m. Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming genealogy research. Learn how AI can help you uncover the family history treasures hiding in your family documents and letters. Intended for people new to AI, this accessible webinar will show you how to simplify turning your family archives into a goldmine of useful information.
To register, go to: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H2scDvE5SNK-ZYZlPgcpOw#/registration
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, MyHertiage.com is making all 35 million Irish historical records free from today until Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
Millions of people around the world have Irish roots. The Irish diaspora has spread far and wide, and your ancestors’ journey may have started on the Emerald Isle.
Records in the collections include:
Ireland Births, 1864-1958
Ireland Marriages, 1845-1958
Ireland Deaths, 1864-1958
1901 Ireland Census
1911 Ireland Census
You will need to create a free user name and password to view the records. To get started searching, go to: https://www.myheritage.com/research/catalog?location=Ireland&s=343663401
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