PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
IN-PERSON PROGRAMS
STREAMING & RECORDED
CUSTOM WORKSHOPS
“DEATH IS NOT THE END”: AN INTRODUCTION TO PROBATE AND ESTATES IN NEW YORK
Length: 60 minutes
When an individual dies in New York State, key information about that person’s death and estate can be found in County Surrogate’s Court records. Items from the proceedings such as wills, witness testimony, affidavits, and estate inventories can help document family histories and break down brick walls. More specifically, these valuable resources can provide insights into multi-generational relationships, lifestyles, and family migration patterns. Attendees will learn how to locate Western New York probate records both in person and online and identify other related resources including land, tax, and guardianship records.
FINDING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY: AN INTRODUCTION TO GENEALOGY
Length: 60 minutes
Whether new or returning to family history, attendees will learn about the discipline of genealogy and how it can help them understand families, communities, and historical events. The program will discuss the types of resources available, general research strategies, and best practices for organizing physical and digital materials.
GENEALOGY IN THE CLASSROOM: RESEARCH POSSIBILITIES & RESOURCES FOR GRADES 7-12
Length: 90 minutes
Specially tailored for New York State educators, this program explores the exciting learning possibilities found in genealogical research. Attendees will gain an understanding of what genealogy is and how it can be utilized both inside and outside of the classroom. An overview of key teacher resources and programs will also be provided.
“PLACES, FACES, AND SOCIETY GRACES": USING NEWSPAPERS IN YOUR GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Length: 60 minutes
This program explores the exciting research possibilities found in newspapers. Attendees will gain an understanding of free and paid newspaper resources available both online and in Western New York repositories. Strategies for structuring searches, logging research, and naming both paper and digital files will also be discussed.
REMEMBERING: THE LIVES & LESSONS OF THE ERIE COUNTY POORHOUSE
Length: 60 or 90 minutes
When the skeletal remains more than 350 individuals were discovered at University at Buffalo in 2012, extensive efforts were undertaken to document the history, demographics, and experiences of the reported 181,000+ individuals who were “relieved” at the Erie County Poorhouse site. The complex, which operated on Main Street from 1851-1926, functioned as an almshouse and hospital, complete with psychiatric, maternity, and consumptive wards. This presentation will discuss the burials recovered, the research, and how together we can better understand the lives of 19th and 20th century individuals in Western New York.
UNDERSTANDING WESTERN NEW YORK LAND RECORDS
Length: 60 or 90 minutes
Land records are valuable resources that are often overlooked and underutilized by genealogists. In this information-packed program, attendees will learn about Western New York land history, available record sets, and the wealth of information contained therein. Aided by regional examples, attendees will develop the knowledge and confidence necessary to expand and strengthen their genealogical research.
USING TRANSCRIPTIONS, ABSTRACTS, AND INDEXES IN YOUR RESEARCH
Length: 30 minutes
Transcription, abstraction, and indexing are essential techniques for capturing, analyzing, and accessing the information contained in historical documents. Attendees will learn about research strategies and best practices while examining "real world" project examples.