Upcoming Events
Rochester Historical Society — Guided Research Visit
Rochester Historical Society — Guided Research Visit (Small-Group Experience) We’re excited to offer an upcoming guided tour and hands-on researc... ...Read More...Writers Group Monthly Meeting
Are you interested in writing your family stories, recording memoirs, or improving how you share your genealogical discoveries? The RGS Writers Group welcomes m... ...Read More...Genealogy Series "More In-Depth Records and Sources"
This workshop, the fourth in the series, will be presented on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 2 p.m., at the Webster Public Library. You do not need to have at... ...Read More...April TIG Meeting: Christine Cohen - Mysterious Codes: Passenger Manifests Letters and Numbers
Our April speaker will be Christine Cohen, speaking on "Mysterious Codes: Passenger Manifests Letters and Numbers."What do those lette... ...Read More...
Genealogy In Bloom 2026 with special guest Kathryn Lake Hogan
Registration for Genealogy in Bloom will open on Sunday, 1 March 2026Rochester Genealogical Society's annual all day genealogical conference.&nb... ...Read More...
Genealogy in Bloom Book Auction
The Book Auction Committee is making preparations for this year's Genealogy in Bloom. They are seeking donations of genealogy-related books and volunteers to assist with setting up and taking down the book display tables at GiB.
To donate books or volunteer to help, please contact Bill Troicke at btroicke@nyrgs.org.
Program Committee Members Needed
Help plan future RGS meetings and speakers. The Program Committee is looking for a few volunteers to help plan our future activities. We meet monthly to discuss and plan upcoming events for RGS and our Interest Groups.
If you're interested in more information, please contact Tawnya Post at tpost@nyrgs.org.
Finger Lakes Region Genealogy/History Trail
The Finger Lakes region is full of significant historical and genealogical sites. RGS Past-President Eric Vaughn has prepared a series of places to visit over the next year. We will be featuring a new site each week. See how many you can visit!
Week 6 Stop on the Finger Lakes Region Genealogy/History Trail — Mount Hope Cemetery
Where history rests. and stories rise.
Location: 791 Mount Hope Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620
Website: https://fomh.org
Phone: (585) 428-7999
Established in 1838, Mount Hope Cemetery is one of the nation’s first Victorian garden cemeteries and one of Rochester’s most powerful genealogy resources. More than a burial ground, it’s an open-air archive filled with generations of family connections, local legends, and remarkable lives waiting to be rediscovered.
Highlights include:
• Graves of notable Rochesterians, innovators, veterans, and community builders
• Family plots revealing relationships across multiple generations
• Monument symbolism that provides clues to beliefs, heritage, and social status
• Burial records useful for confirming dates, relatives, and residences
• Beautiful landscape maps to help locate ancestors and trace family clusters
• A peaceful setting perfect for reflection and historical storytelling
Whether your ancestors were early settlers, immigrants starting new lives, or longtime Rochester residents, Mount Hope offers context you won’t find in census records alone - neighbors buried beside neighbors, relatives reunited in stone, and stories carved into marble.
From pioneers to presidents of industry, every stone holds a chapter. Walk the paths, read the monuments, and let your family history speak.
#NYRGS #GenealogyTrail #MountHopeCemetery #RochesterNY #FingerLakesGenealogy #CemeteryResearch #FamilyHistory #StoriesInStone #PreservingThePast
Next Program Highlight — Don’t Miss This!
OFL Genealogy Club: Tracing Your Irish Roots (In-Person)
Ever hit a brick wall researching Irish ancestors? You’re not alone! When Ireland’s Public Record Office was destroyed in 1922, countless records were lost. But good news — the Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland, launched in 2022, has already restored access to 175,000+ records for researchers worldwide. Join this session to learn how to tap into these powerful resources and bring your Irish family stories back to life.
Date: Monday, March 23, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Location: Ogden Farmers’ Library – Meeting Room
Audience: Adults
Category: Genealogy
