8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern
Registration for Genealogy in Bloom will open on Sunday, 1 March 2026
Rochester Genealogical Society's annual all day genealogical conference.
GIB 2026 will be hybrid and take place both in person and over Zoom.
Kathryn Lake Hogan
Kathryn Lake Hogan, BA, PLCGS, UE, is a professional genealogist and educator from Southwestern Ontario, Canada, specializing in Canadian genealogy. As the founder off Looking4Ancestors, she has been helping researchers uncover their Canadian roots since 2007. Kathryn has contributed articles to leading genealogy publications. She has served as a director with Ontario Ancestors and the Association of Professional Genealogists as well as the past Dominion Genealogist for the United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada. As a highly sought-after speaker, Kathryn enthusiastically inspires family history researchers to discover their ancestors in Canada.
Session Descriptions
Revolutionary Choices: Exploring Loyalist and Patriot Roots at 250 Years - This session explores how the American Revolutionary War divided families into Patriots and Loyalists and how those choices shaped generations of descendants across the United States and Canada. Participants will learn what happened when the first shots were fired, how allegiances were formed, and how Loyalist migration influenced settlement patterns in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Upper Canada. The session provides practical guidance for identifying whether an ancestor supported independence or remained loyal to the British Crown. Attendees will be introduced to key research resources, including digital archives and lineage society databases. The program concludes with actionable tips for documenting evidence and proving Revolutionary War lineage.
Just Across the Border- Thousands of people cross the Canada–United States border every day and our ancestors did the same. This program explores the historical development of the international boundary and examines why, when, and how individuals and families moved between Canada and the United States. Participants will learn how to locate border entry points, understand when border records began in each country, and interpret what immigration officials were documenting. The session also examines immigration laws, reasons for acceptance or rejection, and cases of deportation. Attendees will leave with a strong understanding of why border entry records are a critical—and often overlooked—resource for family history research.
Finding Faith and Family in Church Records – Church records offer far more than documentation of baptisms, marriages, and burials, they provide rich insight into ancestors’ faith, social standing, and community life. This program explores a wide range of church-related records, including membership rolls, pew rentals, missionary reports, and denominational newspapers, and explains how they can deepen family history research. Participants will learn where to locate these records in archives, online databases, and denominational collections. The session also focuses on interpreting church-specific language, recognizing bias, and placing records in historical and social context. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for using church records to enrich and strengthen their family narratives.
What’s in Your Canadian Genealogy Toolbox? - This session introduces participants to the most valuable websites for researching ancestors in Canada and building a strong Canadian genealogy toolbox. Attendees will learn where to find national, provincial, and local records, as well as online collections of newspapers, maps, photographs, and historical documents. The session highlights key resources, including Library and Archives Canada, provincial and local archives, specialized databases, and collaborative genealogy platforms. Designed for all experience levels, the program demonstrates how to navigate these sites effectively and understand what types of records each offers. Participants will leave with a curated list of trusted online resources and practical tips for advancing their Canadian family history research.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
460 Kreag Rd
Pittsford, NY 14534
UNITED STATES
Click here for Google Maps
programs@nyrgs.org
Event Cost/Registration/Invoice:
- Registration for Genealogy in Bloom opens on Sunday 1 March and closes at end of day on Wednesday, 22 April.
- RGS members and non-members must register for this event and choose between participating in-person or over Zoom.
- Genealogy in Bloom is free for registered RGS members. Consider joining RGS for $30 and receive Genealogy in Bloom for free as a member benefit..
- Non-members event cost is $40, which allows you to participate either in-person or over Zoom.
- Box lunches will be available for purchase. Please select your lunch option during registration and complete payment at that time. The box lunch order deadline is Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
- Your invoice with event details will be emailed to the email address used to register for the event.
- 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Event Check-in Opens. Bidding starts on silent auction.
- 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. - Welcome and announcements
- 9:15 - 10:30 a.m. - Session 1
- 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. - Break
- 10:45 - 11:55 a.m. - Session 2
- 11:55 a.m. - Drawing of first two raffle books
- Noon - 1:15 pm. - Lunch
- 1:15 - 2:30 p.m. - Session 3
- 2:30 - 2:45 p.m. - Break. Last chance to bid in silent auction or buy book raffle tickets.
- 2:45 - 4:00 p.m. - Session 4
- 4:00 p.m. - Closing remarks, recognition, and drawing of last two raffle books
Box lunches will be available for purchase. Please select your lunch option during registration and complete payment at that time. The box lunch order deadline and payment is Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
Please check out the list of restaurant/meal options within driving distance of event.
Brugger's Bagels, Tom Wahl's, Pontillo's, Agave Express Mexican Bar and Grill, Dunkin and Tim Hortons are on Route 96 - Pittsford Victor Rd. (exit left onto Kreag Rd., turn right or left onto Route 96).
Wegman's, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Panera, Wendy's, Applebee's, Starbucks, Dibella's, Boccaccini's Italian Bistro, Tandoor of India, Chipotle, Sakura Garden, and Joe's Brooklyn Pizza are on Route 31 - Pittsford Palmyra Rd. (exit right onto Kreag Rd., turn right onto Route 31).
Water:
Participants are encouraged to bring water for the event, water will not be available to purchase at the event.
Silent Auction & Book Raffle:
Genealogy in Bloom will include a silent book auction and book raffle throughout the event. A great number of genealogy and local history books will be available during the book auction. Cash and check will be taken as payment options for the silent auction and book raffle.
Zoom Information:
If you have registered to attend over Zoom, the Zoom link will be emailed to you by Thursday, 23 April 2026. Please do not share the Zoom link with others. If you do not receive a Zoom link, please email membership@nyrgs.org or info@nyrgs.org.
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