You’ve run out of online records to research, or the ones you’re searching for aren’t public. Worse yet, the records you need are destroyed. Perhaps you’ve run into maiden name troubles. Or maybe you've come to the end of your American trail and need to look overseas. Just about any family history researcher has hit their own brick wall sometime.
Bring your most difficult New York research problems during this unique and hands-on experience. With the aid of the NYG&B and a guest expert, receive guidance and advice to break down your toughest New York brick walls.
Program runs from 11:30 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. ET each day.
Online sessions include:
- Lectures on a range of topics
- Individual consultation sessions with expert genealogists
- Group Q&A periods
- Independent research time
Lecture topics:
- Discussion: Refining Your Research Question and Developing a Research Report led by Susan R. Miller
- When Dates Disagree: 8 Ways to Resolve Conflicting Details with D. Joshua Taylor, NYG&B President
Conflicting details are a common challenge in genealogical research, appearing across records created at different times and for different purposes. This session explores eight practical strategies for analyzing and resolving discrepancies found in vital, census, probate, military, and other records. Through examples and discussion, attendees will learn how to evaluate sources, weigh evidence, and determine which dates best reflect historical reality, while documenting conclusions clearly and responsibly.
- The Ripley’s Roots: New York to Ohio (Case Study) with D. Joshua Taylor, NYG&B President
This case study follows the Ripley family’s migration from New York to Ohio and highlights the challenges of working with conflicting and indirect evidence. Through land, probate, census, and community records, the session demonstrates how seemingly disconnected details can be evaluated, correlated, and assembled into a coherent narrative. Emphasis is placed on weighing evidence, resolving inconsistencies, and building well-supported conclusions when direct proof is limited, offering strategies applicable to many nineteenth-century migration problems.
Prior to this Empire State Exploration program, you will be given special free access to the NYG&B’s on-demand New York State Family History School course, New York State Research Fundamentals to help refresh your understanding of processes for conducting family history research in New York State. This online course includes sessions on vital records, census records, religious records, probate records, and more. Access continues through the last day of the program.
Program Fee
- NYG&B Members Early Registration Rate: $399 (ends March 6, 2026; after that registration rate is $469)
- General Registration: $469
Consultant Bios
An NYG&B member since 1993, Susan R. Miller oversees the NYG&B’s print and digital publications. She is the editor of the New York Researcher magazine, New York State Archives Guide: For Family Historians, Biographers, and Historical Researchers, and New York City Municipal Archives Guide and a managing editor of the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer. A graduate of Brown University, Susan is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and several other genealogical and historical societies.
Kerri Tannenbaum is a professional genealogist and researcher who works with people looking to learn more about their family history. She specializes in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Irish research. Kerri is a graduate of Boston University’s Certificate Program in Genealogical Research and the ProGen Peer Study Groups. She serves as contributing editor of the Irish Family History Forum newsletter, a recipient of many awards from the National Genealogical Society. She also serves as a guest lecturer and research consultant for several genealogy societies. Kerri founded her company Family Dot Connector LLC in 2018 and has served hundreds of clients since then. She lives on Long Island with her husband and two daughters.
About Empire State Exploration
The Empire State Exploration program is an ideal interactive experience for tracing New York ancestors online under the guidance of genealogy experts. Participants join a small online group of fellow researchers for three daylong, at-home sessions of guided research and learning. Each online session is held live and features a special guest expert genealogist, lectures, individual consultation sessions, and group Q&A periods. Participants have access to materials for 30 days following the program.