This five-session online seminar will cover the resources, strategies, and historical context you need to trace your early New York ancestors. Our experts will discuss New York research from the Dutch colonial period of New Netherland (beginning in 1614) through the period of British rule (ending in 1783). See below for a description of each class session!

This seminar includes:

• Five, 90-minute classes which include three, 10-minute Q&A sessions (broadcast live on Zoom, recorded for later viewing)
• Detailed handouts for each class session and PDFs of the presentation slides
• Two, 60-minute office-hour sessions with seminar instructors (participants can drop in to these informal zoom sessions to ask questions, request demos of tools and databases, and more.)
• Access to all seminar materials indefinitely (available under the “My Account” section of AmericanAncestors.org after purchase.)

Class Schedule:

December 3- Class 1: A Brief History of New Netherland: A Dutch Colony
Presented by Sheilagh Doerfler

When researching family history, it’s important learn about the historical context that shaped our ancestors lives. This is especially true for 17th-Century New Netherland research, as competing bids for control from the English and Dutch affected record keeping, laws, and customs. This first class will provide a brief timeline of New Netherland history, discuss the make-up and migrations of its people, and discuss some basic research considerations.

December 8 - Class 2: Records of New Netherland
Presented by Sheilagh Doerfler

This class will discuss several go-to published sources and primary records such as probate, church, newspapers, private records, passenger lists, deeds, and more. For each type of record we will review what they are, the information they contain, and how to find them.

December 10 - Class 3: New York Colony Under British Rule
Presented by Melanie McComb

Following the English takeover of New Netherland in 1664, New York entered a new era that brought changes to government, land ownership, religion, settlement, and record keeping. This class will explore the major historical developments that shaped your ancestors' lives during the British colonial period, including the changing boundaries of the colony and the impact of immigration and migration.

December 15 - Class 4: Records of the British Colony of New York
Presented by David Allen Lambert

Researching colonial New York ancestors requires knowing which records were created, where they can be found, and what they can—and cannot—tell us about our ancestors. This class will examine key records from the British colonial period, including land and probate records, church and civil records, court records, newspapers, military records, tax lists, and other sources. We will discuss the information found in each record type, the repositories and online resources where they may be accessed, and strategies for using these records to trace your New York ancestors during this time period.

December 17 - Class 5: Putting it into Practice: Case Studies
Presented by Melanie McComb

In this final class, we will put the historical context, sources, and research strategies from the previous sessions into practice. Through a selection of case studies, we will demonstrate how to break through challenging brick walls in early New York research. The examples shown will help you understand how to locate records, analyze information, and to develop solid conclusions.