2025 New York State Family History Conference

Registration Is Open!

Join the NYG&B and other genealogy experts for New York’s largest statewide family history conference:

• September 3–November 16, 2025 (On-Demand Access)
• September 19–20, 2025 (Livestreamed Programs from Kingston, NY)

This year's theme is Echoes of New York and will feature livestreamed presentations in Kingston, New York, as well as on-demand sessions to watch at your own pace. Can’t join us in person? No problem! All in-person programs will be livestreamed and subsequently made available on demand.

From the essentials needed for navigating New York research to understanding immigration and migration patterns to accessing the myriad records for tracing ancestors, the conference offers a rich array of sessions to help participants hone their skills.

The livestreamed portion of the conference will be held on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston (272 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401). Special activities for in-person registrants will be held on September 18 and September 19 in Kingston (see more details in the full program and schedule below).

What is the New York State Family History Conference? 

Researchers, genealogists, and all those interested in family history gather for the New York State Family History Conference, the largest statewide family history event held in New York. Over the years we’ve travelled to places like Tarrytown, Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse—all while hosting hundreds of other researchers online. Last year's conference featured in-person and virtual programming as well as on-demand viewing of all 35 sessions.

What do I learn at the conference? 

Experts on New York, genealogy, family history, and various subject material teach the sessions. Many of these sessions cover advanced topics like DNA research and searching migratory records, but others can help you build your genealogy skills and get you ready to tackle some difficult situations in your research.

Who organizes the New York State Family History Conference?

The conference is organized and run by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B), a nonprofit organization based in New York City serving all parts of the State and region.

Our members are mostly from New York State but are also found around the country and world. This conference is the State’s largest event for family history and a place for all researchers to connect with others who share their interests, no matter how much experience you may have.

NYG&B members receive discounts to events like the New York State Family History Conference. Learn more about NYG&B membership.

Will a syllabus be available? How can I access it?

Yes, both print and digital versions of the syllabus will be available for registrants prior to the conference’s start.

A PDF of the full syllabus will be available as part of your conference registration fee, which you will be able to access via a shared link. Additionally, PDFs for each individual session will be available on the on-demand session pages.

Print copies of the syllabus will be available for conference registrants to purchase in late summer. A link will be provided as soon as it’s available for purchase.

What is the accessibility like at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, NY, for in-person attendees?

The meeting hall is located on the ground level. There are two steps to enter the building and there is a ramp located at the side of the building. There are two non-gender bathrooms in the hall itself, one of which is handicap accessible.

Are there any other planned activities or events outside of the conference schedule?

Yes, we have several exciting opportunities for our in-person attendees in Kingston.

The Ulster County Genealogical Society is making its research library available to in-person attendees on Thursday, September 18 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The library is located in the basement of the Hurley Reformed Church at 11 Main Street in Hurley (approximately 5-10 minutes from the conference venue). This is a free activity but registration is required.

The Old Dutch Church is opening its sanctuary for in-person attendees to visit during the conference hours on Friday, September 19. No additional registration is required.

Ulster County Genealogical Society, in coordination with Friends of Historic Kingston, is offering a tour of the Old Dutch Church cemetery to in-person attendees on Friday, September 19 from 5:45 – 6:30 p.m. This is a free activity, but registration is required.

Will there be a vendors hall at this year’s conference? 

No, there will not be a vendors hall. 

What is New York Stories?

New York Stories are pre-recorded, livestreamed video clips from the genealogy and family history community sharing memorable and notable stories. This special feature will be broadcast during the conference lunch breaks on September 19 and 20 and will be available for on-demand viewing through November 16, 2025.   

I have a New York Stories to share! How can I participate?

Many people have memorable stories; we want to hear yours! The theme of this year’s conference is "Echoes of New York," and we are looking for submissions that tell stories from across New York State. 

If you are willing to have your story filmed and publicly shared, please submit a brief summary (250 words maximum) of your story by July 11, 2025, to development@nygbs.org with the subject line “NY Stories Submission.” Narrated stories should be between 4 and 8 minutes long. If your submission is selected, the NYG&B will contact you to arrange a recording session. 

Watch New York Stories recordings from Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2024 New York Family History Conference to see what’s been shared before.

Where should I stay in the Kingston area if I’m coming to the conference in person?

The NYG&B does not have a hotel room block and any hotel reservations are the responsibility of registrants. We have compiled a list of local hotels in the Kingston area for consideration.  

Is lunch included at the conference for in-person attendees?   

No, lunch is not included. In-person attendees are welcome to have lunch on their own off site or can bring a lunch to eat at the venue during the scheduled lunch break. There is no refrigeration on-site to store lunches. 

What food is available near the venue in Kingston?

*These restaurants are very small, so expect to take out rather than eat in.

What other attractions are in the area?