New York State Research Fundamentals – Registration
Tracing ancestors in New York State? This on-demand New York Family History School course reviews the core resources for those searching for ancestors in New York State. Individual sessions introduce a variety of collections, including vital, census, land, probate, and religious records, alongside an overview of New York’s primary research repositories.
Course Fee
- NYG&B Members: $89
- General Registration: $99
Please Note: This Family History School course is available for on-demand viewing. Registrants have 60 days from date of purchase to complete this course in its entirety. For example, if you purchase this course on December 15, 2026, you have until February 15, 2027, to complete it.
Tracing New York Ancestors: Preparing for Success
In this session we will: understand the initial steps to prepare for searching in New York State; learn about fundamental records to use when tracing ancestors in New York State; identify key resources for learning more about New York State research.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
Understanding and Using New York State Vital Records
In this session we will: learn what types of vital records exist for New York State; explore nuances and special circumstances relating to using New York State vital records; understand how to locate and request New York State vital records.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
Exploring New York's State Census Records
In this session we will: understand the censuses taken and what they contain; learn why you should use New York’s state censuses; learn how to access and search the New York state censuses; explore the harder-to-find early New York state censuses.
Led by Susan R. Miller
Locating and Using Religious Records in New York State
In this session we will: understand why religious records are fundamental New York records; learn to identify potential religious institutions; explore methods to locate and find religious records.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
New York's Land and Probate Records: An Overview
In this session we will: discover what can be found in land and probate records; learn where to access the majority of land and probate records; explore online land and probate records.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
Repositories for Statewide Records
In this session we will: discover repositories for statewide records; explore repositories found in counties; learn how to find local repositories.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
About the Presenters
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, FUGA, is the President of the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&B), an organization dedicated to preserving, documenting, and sharing family history and stories from across New York State. A nationally known and recognized genealogist, Joshua was named President of the NYG&B in 2016 and is an Officer, Trustee ex Officio, on NYG&B’s Board of Trustees.
Susan R. Miller is the Director of Publications at the NYG&B. She is also the editor of the NYG&B's award-winning publication the New York Researcher and the managing editor of the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer. Sue has been with the NYG&B for over 25 years, researching her family history in New York and New England.
About the NYG&B's New York Family History School
The New York Family History School lets participants learn at their own pace through guided, on-demand sessions focusing on a specific family history topic. Registration includes access to multiple sessions for 60 days, syllabus materials, and a certificate of completion.