The Grosvenor Room’s Genealogy Classes
Our Most Popular Classes
Get Started with Genealogy:
Jumpstart Your Genealogy
Jump-start your genealogy with this introduction to family history research. You will learn basic genealogy concepts, the types of records used, and an overview of the genealogy resources available through the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System.
The Grosvenor Room: The Gateway to Buffalo Research
The Grosvenor Room is the premiere genealogical destination in Western New York and holds a wealth of information on all things Buffalo and Erie County. Learn about its rich historical collections that just might break down your brick wall.
Online Resources:
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s Digital Collections
Diaries, photographs, scrapbooks, directories, newspapers and more! You will be amazed as to what the Library has to offer in our digital collections.
Genealogy Databases Galore!
Learn about the library’s genealogy subscription databases including Ancestry Library Edition, HeritageQuest Online, and the Sanborn Maps of New York.
Getting the Most out of Ancestry Library Edition
This course covers Ancestry Library Edition, the library version of Ancestry.com. It includes billions of key genealogy records for the United States and worldwide. Track your ancestors in U.S. census records and discover new family members, migrations, loves, losses, and hardships. Unlock foreign origins using immigration records. Honor your veteran ancestors by discovering their military service using enlistment records, draft records, and pensions. Plus, much more! Ancestry Library Edition is available for use at all Buffalo & Erie County Public Library locations.
HeritageQuest Helper
HeritageQuest Online is a genealogy database available at any Buffalo and Erie County Public Library location and from home with a B&ECPL card. It includes valuable family history content such as U.S. Federal Census Records, city directories, Revolutionary War pension files, Freedmen's Bank Records, and thousands of family and local history books. This is a live demonstration.
DNA Testing:
DNA Testing for Genealogy
Are you considering taking a DNA test to learn about your heritage? Have you taken a test and want to learn more? Join us to learn the basics of genetic genealogy including the types of DNA testing, what testing can tell you, how DNA can be applied to genealogy research.
I Have My DNA for Genealogy Test Results, Now What?
This class will teach how to sort, search, and compare your DNA matches using popular DNA for genealogy websites.
More Topics to Meet Just About Everyone’s Needs
The Classics:
Climb Generations with Census Records
This introductory genealogy course will teach you how to use U.S. and New York State census records as a pathway to your early U.S. ancestors. Learn what the census can tell you, what census resources are available through the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System, and how to use the census as a framework for future research.
From Birth to Death: New York State Vital Records
Learn about New York State births, deaths, and marriages and what records are available through the B&ECPL and the Western New York Genealogical Society.
The Records of Western New York
An exploration of Western New York county records that are rich with genealogical information.
Using Western New York Probate Records on FamilySearch
Learn how to find and use Western New York probate records (wills, estates, guardianship) on FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org).
Your Ancestor in Print
Primary records aren’t the only sources for genealogy research. Published works can advance family lines, provide details of ancestors’ lives and help break down brick walls. Learn how print resources such as histories, directories, newspapers, magazines, and organization publications can help you expand your family tree. Tips on locating published resources will also be given.
Immigrant Ancestors:
Breaking Old World
The key to breaking your genealogy research into the "Old World" is knowing your immigrant ancestor's origin. Learn about American resources which will tell you your ancestor's birth town or region.
Finding U.S. Passenger Lists: 1620s-1950s
Finding an immigrant’s passenger list is a difficult task considering the history of U.S. mass immigration. Learn about free and library resources for finding your ancestors' passenger lists.
Getting Started with Irish Genealogy Records
Are you looking to cross the Atlantic with your Irish genealogy research? Join us to learn about the genealogical records of Ireland, key Irish genealogy concepts and what is accessible online.
Getting Started with Italian Genealogy
Learn what your first steps in Italian genealogy research should be and how to use popular Italian genealogy websites.
Using Western New York Naturalization Records on FamilySearch
Your ancestors’ naturalization records may be at your fingertips. Learn about FamilySearch’s Western New York naturalization records.
Genealogical Gems in the Grosvenor Room:
Cut and Paste Genealogy: The Grosvenor Room’s Scrapbook Collection
Learn how the Grosvenor Room’s scrapbook collection can add to your family’s story.
Erie County Poorhouse Records
Learn about the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s collection of Erie County Poorhouse Ledgers and the details you may learn about your ancestors who spent time there.
The Grosvenor Room’s Local History File
The Local History File is the library’s most comprehensive resource for Buffalo history. Learn how to use this massive card file to advance and enhance your family’s history.
Highlights from the Western New York Genealogical Society Collection
Join us for an online tour of the June P. Zintz Memorial Library of the Western New York Genealogical Society.
School Days
Learn about Buffalo school history resources – yearbooks, Buffalo Central High School registers, scrapbooks, photographs, and more.
Find Your Niche:
Adoption in New York Genealogy Research
An overview of historical New York State resources to help find parentage of an individual who was officially or unofficially adopted.
Anatomy of a U.S. Military Pension File: Revolutionary War through the Civil War
U.S. military pension files are one of the most genealogically rich record sets. This class will discuss the type of information you may learn from military pension files (Revolutionary War through the Civil War) and how to access them.
Did You Know That Was in Census Records?
This class highlights frequently overlooked information that may be found in census records.
Finding Western New York Holland Land Company Plots
If your ancestors were early Western New York settlers, they may have purchased land from the Holland Land Company. This class will discuss published Holland Land Company indexes, online Holland Land Company records, and how to use online maps to find your ancestors’ Holland Land Company property.
Finding Your Female Ancestors
Women are often hard to research due to the laws, social norms, and record keeping practices of times past. In this class you will learn about sources and strategies to find your female ancestors and illuminate their lives.
Government Secrets Revealed: County Supervisors’ Proceedings
County supervisors’ proceedings are not your average government reports. Tucked amongst their pages are hard to find details about our ancestors’ lives. Learn how to use these documents and what they may reveal.
My House Is Giving Me a Vibe
Learn how to research your house's history to explore its potential for paranormal provoking events. This class will use the Central Library in a case study which will show how the library’s property history correlates with its ongoing paranormal phenomena.
New York State County Miscellaneous Records
New York county miscellaneous records are a wonderful hodgepodge of ancestral history. This class will tell you what you might find, how to access them, and how to search them.
Wicked Good New England Resources
Get started with New England research in the Grosvenor Room. You CAN get there from here.
Looking for Something Else?
If you are looking for another topic, let us know and we may be able to meet your needs.