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 to Expect
- More than 20 of the top voices and experts in the genealogy field will lead sessions and answer your questions, including Skip Duett, Annette Burke Lyttle, Pam Ricciardi Paschke, D. Joshua Taylor, Jane E. Wilcox, and more.
- More than 35 sessions and events (13 in person/livestreamed and 23 on demand), all for less than $10 a session.
- A rich array of programming—whether it’s mastering the basics or refining research to break through brick walls—on a variety of topics like accessing arrival, court, marriage, military, and probate records; using DNA tools; exploring connections between different states; finding maiden names; and much more.
- Networking and learning opportunities with the wider genealogy and family history community.
Virtual Registration Only
- On-demand sessions, September 3 through November 16, 2025
- Livestream access, September 19–20, 2025
- Recordings of livestream sessions from September 26 through November 16, 2025
Pricing
- Virtual NYG&B Member Attendance (early registration by June 16, 2025): $189
- Virtual NYG&B Member Attendance (after June 16, 2025): $209
- Virtual General Attendance: $245
In Person and Virtual Registration
- On-demand sessions from September 3 through November 16, 2025
- In-person attendance in Kingston and livestream access, September 19–20, 2025
- Recordings of livestream sessions from September 26 through November 16, 2025
- Access to the Ulster County Genealogical Society research library (offsite) on Thursday, September 18, 1–5 p.m.
- Optional tour of the Old Dutch Church Cemetery on Friday, September 19, 5:45–6:30 p.m.
Pricing
- In-Person NYG&B Member Attendance (early registration by June 16, 2025): $215
- In-person NYG&B Member Attendance (after June 16, 2025): $229
- In-person General Attendance: $265
Keynote Announcement
This year’s keynote speaker is Yvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™.
Yvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist, writer, and lecturer from the Netherlands. She has a master's degree in family and local history and specializes in research in the Netherlands and New Netherland. As a key team member for the NYG&B’s New Netherland Settlers initiative, she received a fellowship from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation to research underrepresented and underexamined populations in the colony.
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.
Best Western Plus Kingston Hotel
503 Washington Ave.
(.8 miles from Old Dutch Church)
Hampton Inn Kingston
1307 Ulster Avenue
(3.5 miles from Old Dutch Church)
Residence Inn Kingston
800 Frank Sottile Blvd.
(4.5 miles from Old Dutch Church)
Courtyard Kingston
500 Frank Sottile Blvd
(5 miles from Old Dutch Church)
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kingston-Ulster
1835 Ulster Ave
(6 miles from Old Dutch Church)
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?
First Capital Poke Bar
Poke, Ramen
310 Wall St.
.1 mile from venue
Le Canard Enchaine
French
276 Fair St.
.1 mile from venue
Lola
Pizza and Pasta
243 Fair St.
.1 mile from venue
The Lunchbox*
Sandwiches
275 Fair St.
.1 mile from venue
Sissy’s Café*
Sandwiches, Salads (lunch only)
324 Wall St.
.1 mile from venue
Yum Yum Noodle Bar*
Japanese noodle bowls, Southeast Asian Street Food
275 Fair Street
.1 mile from venue
Brickmen Kitchen & Bar
Sandwiches, Salads, Entrees
47 N. Front St.
.2 mile from venue
Hoffman House
Continental Standards
94 N. Front St.
.3 mile from venue
Deisings Bakery
111 N. Front St.
.3 mile from venue
*These restaurants are very small, so expect to take out rather than eat in.
What other attractions are in the area?
Kingston Attractions
Senate House State Historic Site
296 Fair Street, Kingston
Group tours are offered year-round, but must be scheduled in advance. Site grounds are open from dawn to dusk.
Matthewis Persen House Museum
74 John Street, Kingston
Thursdays and Fridays 9 am – 4:30pm, Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm
Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout Landing, Kingston
Thursday through Sunday 11 am – 5pm
Historic District Self-Guided Walking Tours
General information from Friends of Historic Kingston’s website
Stockade National Historic District
Download brochure for self-guided walking tour from Friends of Historic Kingston’s website.
Rondout National Historic District
Download brochure for self-guided walking tour from Friends of Historic Kingston’s website.
Chestnut Street Historic District
Download brochure for self-guided walking tour from Friends of Historic Kingston’s website.