Tracing Immigrant Ancestors to NY, 1780s to 1924—The Records – Registration
Millions of immigrants arrived at the Port of New York, many taking their pathway through Castle Garden or Ellis Island. This on-demand New York Family History School course begins with a historical overview of immigration to New York and then outlines essential records and strategies for tracing families who immigrated to the United States through New York.
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.
Immigration to New York, 1780-1924: A Historical Overview
In this session we will: identify important moments in the history of immigration to the United States between the 1780s and 1924; discuss the role of the Port of New York in immigration to the United States; explore the origins and trends of immigration to the United States between the 1780s and 1924.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
Immigration Clues in Everyday Records: Census, Passports, Landing Reports, Vital Records, and More
In this session we will: understand the process of finding clues to an individual’s or family’s immigration; explore fundamental genealogical records that provide clues to an ancestor’s immigration; learn to identify patterns and nuances in records that provide information on an individual’s or family’s immigration.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
Diving into Customs Records and Passenger Lists
In this session we will: understand what customs and passenger records exist; learn how to locate and search customs and passenger lists; discover techniques when using customs and passenger lists.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
Naturalization Records: New York and Beyond
In this session we will: understand the timeline of naturalization laws in the United States between 1780 and 1924; learn what naturalization records exist; learn how to locate and search naturalization records.
Led by D. Joshua Taylor
Foreign Passenger Records and Telling the Immigrant Story
In this session we will: discover what foreign passenger lists exist and how to access and search them; explore ways to tell the immigrant story of your ancestor.
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.
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.