Thank you for registering for Researching Early New York Ancestors!
This 5-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 for the foreseeable future (available under the “My Account” section of AmericanAncestors.org).
JOIN THE LIVE BROADCASTS
Click here to join the live class broadcasts: https://zoom.us/j/97867852835 Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 3, 8, 10, 15, & 17, 6:00 - 7:30 PM Eastern Time.
If you are unable to attend the live broadcast, you will be able to watch a recording on this course page.
Click here to join the virtual office hours: https://zoom.us/j/97226700314 , Wednesday, December 9 and Friday, December 18, 1:00 - 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
These open office hours will not be recorded.
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
The 18th century was a transformative and foundational period for Connecticut: continued colonial conflicts, movement westward, revolution, the start of the abolition of slavery, and ultimately statehood. This session looks at just some of the many records of the era—pre- and post-American independence—including military records, tax lists, census records, newspapers, city directories, and more.
December 9 - Office Hours Session with Sheilagh Doerfler (Live session only, optional)
An optional drop-in zoom session from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This informal session with our instructors provides an opportunity to ask questions, request demos of tools and databases, and more. This session will not be recorded.
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.
December 18 - Office Hours Session with David Allen Lambert and Melanie McComb (Live session only, optional)
An optional drop-in zoom session from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This informal session with our instructors provides an opportunity to ask questions, request demos of tools and databases, and more. This session will not be recorded.
HANDOUTS
To come.
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
To come.
