Frederick Wertz

A well-formed research log is one of the most powerful tools you can use to improve the results of your family history research.

Many family history researchers are aware that the 1890 Federal Census population schedules were almost completely destroyed following a fire in 1921.

Finding a birth, marriage, or death certificate for one of your ancestors is a crucial step in your family history research, but it can be challenging for ancestors who lived in New York State.

Do you think your New York ancestors or relatives obtained a divorce in New York? It is possible, but for over 300 years obtaining a New York divorce was not an easy matter.

Marriage records can be some of the most valuable documents that you uncover while researching your New York ancestors.

New York is the state with arguably the strongest connection to immigration in America - hundreds of millions of Americans can trace their immigrant ancestors to the Port of New York, which has been a destination of immigrants for over four centur

During the 16th century, many Christians in the Netherlands broke with Rome and affiliated with Calvinist Protestantism, forming the Nederlands Hervormde Kerkor, or the Dutch Reformed Church.

Vital records—records of birth, marriage, and death events—are some of the most important records to pursue when piecing together your family history.

If you haven’t searched for your ancestors in historical newspapers, now is an excellent time to start: It’s easier than ever to find and access historical newspapers, and they can hold some amazing - and quite surprising - information.  

The colonial Dutch can be a tricky group to research.