05-Mar-2026
Do you have an ancestor from 1776 that you'd like to write about? Come join the groups America250 project. Have another ancestor you'd like to write about or not sure how to start? Join the rest of us. Preserving your family story is too important.
10-Mar-2026
Who Is That Mystery DNA Match?: Solving a Genetic Genealogy Brick Wall
I know all my close relatives! Who is this person? By incorporating various resources used in conjunction with one another, along with photographs, public records, Google, social media, locations, etc., learn an entire methodology to attacking your mystery DNA matches. Yes, you can figure out who that DNA mystery match is!
Diane Henriks, also known as the Descendant Detective and founder of Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family, is a passionate and seasoned Los Angeles County-based professional genealogist, investigator, speaker, and author who specializes in descendancy and brick wall research, along with living people search and unknown parentage. Diane has worked closely with private investigators to find living people while also assisting in background investigations, in both civil and criminal cases. She is a proud member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, the Southern California Genealogical Society, and the Utah Genealogical Association. What started out as a small hobby well over a decade ago, when a hand-drawn family tree chart was given to her by her father, has since become a great obsession, and she now helps others discover and preserve who they are and where they come from! 17-Mar-2026
Across the Hudson: Garden State Records for Your New York Ancestor presented by Michelle Tucker Chubenko
28-Mar-2026
Rochester Historical Society — Guided Research Visit (Small-Group Experience)
We’re excited to offer an upcoming guided tour and hands-on research session at the Rochester Historical Society!
Because this is an interactive working visit, registration is limited to just 10 participants so everyone has time to explore materials and ask questions. If the session fills quickly, don’t worry — additional visits will be scheduled in the near future.
What You’ll Be Able to Research
Participants will have access to unique local history and genealogy resources, including:
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Business records & historical photographs
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Rochester City Directories (1827–1986)
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Family genealogies & people files
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Plat maps & historic maps
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Military records
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Pioneer Family Applications (1934 & 1984)
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Historical scrapbooks
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And much much more....
This visit is ideal for anyone researching Rochester-area ancestors, local businesses, neighborhoods, or community history.
Accessibility Note
Please be aware:
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The research space has limited access
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Entry requires navigating approximately 10 stairs up and down
Why This Visit Is Special
Unlike a typical lecture, this is a working research session — you’ll actively search records, discover new clues, and learn how to use a local archive effectively with guidance available.
Register early — only 10 spots available! If registration is full, please complete wait list form: https://forms.gle/tZSFcaa7XuSk5BxB7
For more information, contact Eric Vaughn at evaughn@nyrgs.org.Location: Rochester Historical Society
1110 University Ave.
Rochester, NY
There are currently 10 spots remaining out of 11
31-Mar-2026
Location: Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89412972845
02-Apr-2026
Are you interested in writing your family stories, recording memoirs, or improving how you share your genealogical discoveries? The RGS Writers Group welcomes members of all writing levels to a friendly, open, and supportive environment.
02-Apr-2026
Are you interested in writing your family stories, recording memoirs, or improving how you share your genealogical discoveries? The RGS Writers Group welcomes members of all writing levels to a friendly, open, and supportive environment.
02-Apr-2026
Are you interested in writing your family stories, recording memoirs, or improving how you share your genealogical discoveries? The RGS Writers Group welcomes members of all writing levels to a friendly, open, and supportive environment.
14-Apr-2026
Location: Zoom
25-Apr-2026
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.
Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
460 Kreag Rd
Pittsford, NY 14534
07-May-2026
Are you interested in writing your family stories, recording memoirs, or improving how you share your genealogical discoveries? The RGS Writers Group welcomes members of all writing levels to a friendly, open, and supportive environment.
09-May-2026
AncestryDNA ProTools Workshop - Part 1
This two-part workshop will teach you how to use the AncestryDNA Pro Tools to help find your ancestors using DNA. Part 1 will cover the fundamentals of DNA analysis, including color-coding your DNA matches, using custom tags and labels, advanced filtering techniques, strategic sorting methods, documentation with custom notes, and workflow development and integration.
All participants will need a laptop or tablet with internet access, an active Ancestry.com account with DNA results and Pro Tools subscription, and personal research goals with key ancestors identified.
Part 2 of this workshop will follow at a date to-be-determined in May.
Location: Henrietta Public Library - Community Room
625 Calkins Road
Rochester, NY 14623
12-May-2026
May 2026 - DNA Interest Group - Paula Williams Solving a Virginia Mystery Using DNA
Location: Zoom
19-May-2026
Michelle Spencer presents:
Build a Better Family Tree with Brick & Mortar Research
Location: Nazareth University
Otto A. Shults Community Center
Rochester, NY 14618
26-May-2026
Location: Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87154601289
27-May-2026
Family Tree Maker Overview
Join the Technology Interest Group for a special hybrid meeting featuring Mark Olsen of Family Tree Maker. Mark will demonstrate the features of FTM, giving us tips on how to use it effectively.
One lucky participant will win a copy of Family Tree Maker 2024.
Location: Zoom
27-May-2026
Mark Olsen, the genealogical society ambassador from Family Tree Maker, will join us for this informational webinar demonstrating the latest features available on Family Tree Maker.
One lucky participant will win a free copy of Family Tree Maker.
Location: Zoom
09-Jun-2026
Location: Zoom