Upcoming Events

RGS Writers Group

Do you want to preserve your family history in an engaging and interesting manner but aren't sure where to start?  Join your fellow family historians for l... ...Read More...

TIG Special Interest Group Meeting - Tour and overview of the new NYS Historic Newspapers website

Program description: This presentation will provide a tour of the new NYS Historic Newspapers website. We'll explore the new ways to search and browse the ... ...Read More...

Fall Quarterly RGS Board Meeting

The quarterly RGS Board Meeting is open to all RGS members to attend. The Fall RGS Quarterly Board Meeting will take place over Zoom on Thursday, 12 October 202... ...Read More...

October RGS Member Meeting - The Jeffrey Family of Connecticut, Discovering History Though Genealogy (Local History)


Through genealogical research Eric Smith discovered the role his family (the Jeffrey family) played in the Connecticut civil rights and a... ...Read More...

DNA Help Sessions

Registration is required for DNA Sessions. Please register and complete the short registration form and if you have any questions, please email DNA@nyrgs.o... ...Read More...

RGS Writers Group

Do you want to preserve your family history in an engaging and interesting manner but aren't sure where to start?  Join your fellow family historians for l... ...Read More...
All Events

Announcing 2023-2024 Programs

It’s going to be a full and varied year of genealogical topics. Join us as we explore how to uncover our family histories. Seven general meetings and Genealogy in Bloom - and our special interest groups continue – DNA, Writers Group, Technology, and Intro. Don’t miss a single meeting!

We start with Brother Against Brother for our opening meeting at 6:45 pm on the 12th of September at the Irondequoit Public Library on Titus Avenue (and on Zoom).  Joyce Thompson will present her findings about the Wheeler family brothers who fought on both sides of the Civil War. She’ll share the genealogical methods she used to uncover and write this fascinating story.

On the 17th of October we will listen to Eric Smith as he tells the story of his Jeffrey family. Hear how he traced his ancestors from Connecticut to Rochester and the role they played in civil rights and abolitionist movements. Hester C. Jeffrey gave the eulogy at Susan B. Anthony’s funeral. Eric will share his research techniques as he tells us about his connection to Rochester history. The Jeffrey Family of Connecticut, Discovering History through Genealogy will sure to be a don’t miss presentation.

Make note now of our November meeting – it will take place on the fourth Tuesday, the 28th. Alec Feretti will guide us through Finding Digitized National Archives and Records Administration Content. Learn about the records available to add information to your ancestors’ story.

January takes us to Europe as Pam Vestal presents Tracking Down Your Eastern European Ancestors. This takes place on Tuesday, the 16th. Pam will share strategies for locating places of origin, finding original names, requesting records, and coping with language challenges.

Breathing Life Into Your Boring Ancestors is the topic for our meeting on the 20th of February. Melissa Barker will show us how to locate records and information to make those names and dates come alive.

Ari Wilkins will present Incorporating Oral History into Your Research on the 19th of March. Oral history can provide information not available in traditional records and can enhance your genealogical research.

April brings Genealogy in Bloom to Rochester. Jeanette Sheliga from jeanettesgenealogy.com will be our speaker. RGS has had her as a monthly program speaker in the past and she is a dynamic and knowledgeable speaker.

Our May meeting on the 21st will be a new and fun experience! We are asking members to participate in a Poster Session highlighting your research finds and stories. More on this will be shared at the September meeting but think of it as a genealogy Science Fair. Start thinking about your ideas and how you can create a poster that showcases your topic.

 The year ends with our annual picnic on the 18th of June at the Webster Museum and Historical Society.