2026 New York State Family History Conference
Program and Schedule
Join the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B) for New York's largest statewide gathering of family history researchers, genealogists, and history enthusiasts. Learn at your own pace and refine your skills with on-demand educational sessions, and join us for livestreaming programs featuring leading experts in genealogy and family history research.
Livestreaming: September 18–19, 2026 (New York, NY)
On-Demand Access: September 9–November 16, 2026
Conference schedule subject to change.
Meet the Presenters
Kenyatta D. Berry, JD
Kenyatta is an Emmy-nominated genealogist and author of The Family Tree Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Uncovering Your Ancestry and Researching Genealogy (Skyhorse Publishing, 2018). She is a Past President of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), and a scholarship was established in her honor in 2021 and awarded in 2023. Kenyatta served as the 2019 Honorary Chair for Preservation Week and earned recognition as a Newsmaker in American Libraries magazine. With a career spanning over two decades, she excels as an author, attorney, lecturer, professional genealogist, and television personality. Kenyatta's expertise in African American genealogy, enslaved ancestral research, and DNA analysis positions her as a prominent figure in the field. Notably, her role as a TV host on Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) garnered widespread acclaim, attracting over 1.5 million viewers per episode.
Janine Cloud
With 15 years at FamilyTreeDNA, Janine has led customer service and the group project team, coordinated events, and often spoken on DNA and genealogy.
Emily H. Garber, MA
Emily holds an MA and BU certificate in genealogy research, and specializes in Jewish and community research methodology. She has been published in Avotaynu and NGS Magazine and is Vice President of the IAJGS.
Anna Gardner
Anna Gardner supports the statewide growth and operations of the NYG&B’s Digitize New York initiative through project development and community outreach from her base at the Central New York Digitization Center in Syracuse. Prior to joining NYG&B, she was the senior manager of marketing and communications at Henry Street Settlement, where she played a key role in driving grassroots and digital outreach efforts to connect New Yorkers to social service, health care, arts, and history programs. Anna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, Photography, and Visual Arts from Ithaca College and is an alumna of its prestigious Park Scholar program.
Carol Genung
Carol Genung is a professional genealogist and national speaker with more than 20 years of experience in family history research. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is a graduate of the ProGen Study Program. Carol presents engaging lectures on genealogy, DNA, technology, and research methodology that help genealogists build practical research skills, solve complex problems, and preserve meaningful family stories.
Rhonda Hoffman, MLS
Rhonda Hoffman is the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s genealogy specialist. In 2024, the NYG&B honored her as part of their Preservation in Action series that spotlights those who have made a lasting impact on the genealogy field.
Alina Khuda
Alina has extensive experience as a court expert, probate genealogist, and forensic genealogist. She established Khuda Genealogical Services (KGS) in 2016 and manages a team of 33 on-site genealogists across Europe. She is an expert criminal genealogist for U.S. courts and a course editor for the University of Genealogical Studies in Canada. Areas of genealogical data expertise include Eastern Europe and Jewish Galician, Orthodox Christian, Old Believers, Greek Catholic, Roma Catholic, Lutheran, and Mennonite records. She holds BA (Hons) and MA (Hons) degrees in Social Studies and Politics.
Ellen Shindelman Kowitt
Ellen was born, raised, and educated in NY and is a professional genealogist working with American records, Jewish ancestry, and producing client books. She is JewishGen USA Research Division Director and NSDAR Jewish research specialist.
Annette Burke Lyttle, CG®
Annette Burke Lyttle, CG speaks on a variety of genealogical topics and loves helping people uncover their family stories. She is particularly fond of her New York ancestors.
Marie Mattson, CG®
Marie Mattson, CG®, lives in Oulu, Wisconsin; however, many of her ancestors lived in New York, inspiring her to write two articles for the NYG&B Record. In 2025 she presented two on-demand sessions for the New York Family History Conference.
Susan R. Miller
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.
Bryna O'Sullivan, PLCGS
Bryna O'Sullivan is a Middletown, CT based professional genealogist and French to English genealogical translator.
Pam Ricciardi Paschke
Pam Ricciardi Paschke is a genealogical research, writer, and speaker. Pam administers five FTDNA projects, and authored a book on colonial Dutchess County, NY.
Kaitlyn Pauley
Kaitlyn Pauley, professional genealogist and former teacher, researches families in NY, PA & WV. She owns Pauley Genealogy, helping clients discover their ancestors’ stories.
Luis Ariel Rivera
Luis Ariel Rivera, a native of the Bronx, New York, has been a professional genealogist since 2020, but has been researching his family's roots in Puerto Rico since 2004. His expertise lies in Puerto Rican research while also researching in Latin America, the Spanish and French Caribbean, and Western/Southern Europe. Luis earned a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and has also studied with ProGen Study Groups, GenProof Study Groups, and the CDG (Certification Discussion Group) series with Jill Morelli. A deeper look into Luis’ genealogical work can be found on his website, www.boricuagenes.com.
Jeanette Sheliga
Jeanette Sheliga lives in Lockport, NY and has been researching her family tree since 2002 and lecturing since 2011. She has had the privilege to speak for societies and libraries locally and virtually all over the world. Jeanette is the President of the Virtual Genealogical Association (VGA); she holds positions in local, state, and national societies; she has completed the study groups of ProGen 49 and Certification Practicum 02; and has attended many genealogy institutes.
Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG®, AGL™
Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG®, AGL™, is a military historian and professional genealogist. He holds a BA in history with a focus on the Civil War from Shepherd University and an MA in military history from the University of Massachusetts in Boston. His expertise is recognized in the judicial systems of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where he testifies as an expert witness in forensic estate investigations. Strauss is a prolific writer and national speaker, contributing to books, peer-reviewed journal articles, popular history publications, and lectures at multiple universities, conferences, and institutes.
Paula Stuart-Warren, CG®, FMGS, FUGA
Paula Stuart-Warren works full time in genealogical and historical research, lecturing, consulting, and writing. She has been a Board-certified genealogist since 1988, passing the every-five-year renewal assessments by the national Board for Certification of Genealogists. She is a firm believer in continuing education in genealogy and strives to keep up to date by participating in national and local conferences, webinars, reading the publications of many genealogical and historical organizations and individuals both off and online. She completed the week-long U.S. National Institute of Genealogical Research held at the National Archives in Washington, DC. (Now titled Gen-Fed, Genealogical Institute on Federal Records.)
Kerri Tannenbaum
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.
D. Joshua Taylor MA, MLS, FUGA
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. Previously, Joshua held senior leadership positions with Findmypast and the New England Historic Genealogical Society and has volunteered in leadership positions for the Federation of Genealogical Societies and other organizations. A prolific author and popular speaker, Joshua has been a coordinator for courses at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) and is the recipient of RootsTech's Distinguished Presenter Award. He has been a featured genealogist on Who Do You Think You Are? and was a host on the PBS series Genealogy Roadshow. Joshua holds a Master of Library Science degree in Archival Management and a Master of Arts degree in History from Simmons University. In 2017, Joshua was named as one of Library Journal's Movers and Shakers, and in 2022, he was named as a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association (FUGA).
Elizabeth Murray Vargas
Elizabeth Murray Vargas is a bilingual professional genealogist and the owner of Legacy Quest Genealogy. She specializes in standard genealogy research, probate and heir research, translation, and dual-citizenship support for families with roots in the Spanish Caribbean, Latin America, and related diasporas, with a particular emphasis on Cuba. As a first-generation American of Dominican and Scottish heritage, Elizabeth has a deep passion for immigrant research and tracing families back to their countries of origin. Her work is grounded in original records and cross-border methodology, drawing on established research relationships in multiple countries to access archives that are not fully digitized or available online. Elizabeth holds dual bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Spanish, completed Boston University’s Genealogical Research Program and ProGen, and earned certificates from GRIP. She is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Elizabeth has written intermediate-level course content for the International Institute of Genealogical Studies and has conducted research for the BBC television series Who Do You Think You Are? She serves on the board of the Association of Professional Genealogists and is chair of its Professional Development Committee.
Rich Venezia
Rich Venezia is a New Jersey native who now calls Philadelphia home. He was a member of the research team of Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) for two seasons, and also consulted on Follow Your Past (Travel Channel). He is an expert in the research of 20th-century immigrant ancestors, especially underutilized record sources and federal records, often unwrapping volumes of records at the National Archives that haven't been opened in decades. He has coordinated weeklong institutes on 20th-century immigration research for the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research. He also specializes in Italian and Irish research. Additionally, he assists clients with dual citizenship applications for Ireland and Italy, and is a proud Italian dual citizen. He holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. He lectures nationwide, including several keynotes, and spoke about "How to Grow Empathy From Uncovering Your Roots" at TEDx Pittsburgh 2017. Rich is also a records access advocate, having coordinated the #RecordsNotRevenue campaign since 2019 against the proposed fee hikes for records held by the USCIS Genealogy Program. This campaign received international press and garnered him the Shirley M. Barnes Records Access Award from the Massachusetts Genealogical Council. He continues to fight for fairer access to these records.
Jane E. Wilcox, FGBS
Jane E. Wilcox, FGBS, serves on the NY State Archives Advisory Committee and the NYG&B's New York Family History Advisory Committee. She is the author of New York State Archives Guide: For Family Historians, Biographers, and Historical Researchers.
Paula Williams
Paula specializes in using DNA to solve problems. She's a board member of the Virginia Genealogical Society and of GRIVA, running the latter's DNA Special Interest Group. She has lectured for Legacy Family Tree Webinars, the NGS conference, and more. She is also the Virtual Tech Coordinator for GRIP.
About Genealogical Credentials
AG is a registered trademark of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.
AGL is a trademark of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.
CG is a registered trademark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
FGBS designates fellows of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.
FMGS designates fellows of the Minnesota Genealogical Society.
FUGA designates fellows of the Utah Genealogical Association.
PLCGS is a certification from the International Institute of Genealogical Studies.