CONFERENCE SET FOR SATURDAY, 25 APRIL 2026
Special Guest Presenter: Kathryn Lake Hogan
The Rochester Genealogical Society (RGS) is pleased to announce the return of
its annual one-day genealogy conference, Genealogy in Bloom, for its
fourteenth year. The 2026 conference will take place on Saturday, 25 April
2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, 460 Kreag Road in Pittsford, New York. Attendees may participate in
person or via Zoom.
This year’s Genealogy in Bloom conference will feature special guest presenter Kathryn Lake
Hogan of Looking4Ancestors and will place a special emphasis on Canadian genealogy and
cross-border family history, reflecting Rochester’s close geographic, historical, and cultural ties
to Canada. For generations, the Rochester and Finger Lakes region has been shaped by
immigration, trade, business, religious communities, and family connections that crossed the
U.S.–Canadian border, leaving rich records and stories on both sides.
The four one-hour sessions will explore themes including Loyalist and Patriot identities at the
250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Canadian border crossings, church and faith-
based records, and essential Canadian research tools. Together, these topics highlight the
interconnectedness of U.S. and Canadian family history and provide attendees with actionable
skills to advance their research.
In-person attendees will also enjoy genealogical roundtable discussions, the popular annual
book auction, and opportunities to win genealogy resources, creating space for conversation,
collaboration, and shared discovery among researchers with Canadian, U.S., and international
roots.
Through this year’s Canadian-focused Genealogy in Bloom conference, RGS continues its
mission to support inclusive, accessible, and historically grounded family history research,
helping members and guests alike better understand the people, places, and pathways that
shaped families on both sides of the border.
Admission to the event is free for RGS members. Non-members may either join RGS for $20.00
(a $10 discount) or pay $30.00 to attend the full-day conference. Registration is now open and
is available through the RGS website’s events calendar at nyrgs.org.
This year’s event will include four one-hour sessions on the following topics:
(1) Revolutionary Choices: Exploring Loyalist and Patriot Roots at 250 Years - This session
explores how the American Revolu:onary War divided families into Patriots and Loyalists and
how those choices shaped genera:ons of descendants across the United States and Canada.
Par:cipants will learn what happened when the first shots were fired, how allegiances were
formed, and how Loyalist migra:on influenced seIlement paIerns in Nova Sco:a, New
Brunswick, Quebec, and Upper Canada. The session provides prac:cal guidance for iden:fying
whether an ancestor supported independence or remained loyal to the Bri:sh Crown. Attendees
will be introduced to key research resources, including digital archives and lineage society
databases. The program concludes with ac:onable :ps for documen:ng evidence and proving
Revolutionary War lineage.
(2) Just Across the Border- Thousands of people cross the Canada–United States border
every day and our ancestors did the same. This program explores the historical
development of the international boundary and examines why, when, and how
individuals and families moved between Canada and the United States. Participants will
learn how to locate border entry points, understand when border records began in each
country, and interpret what immigration officials were documenting. The session also
examines immigra]on laws, reasons for acceptance or rejection, and cases of
deportation. Attendees will leave with a strong understanding of why border entry
records are a critical—and oaen overlooked—resource for family history research.
(3) Finding Faith and Family in Church Records – Church records offer far more than
documentation of bap]sms, marriages, and burials, they provide rich insight into
ancestors’ faith, social standing, and community life. This program explores a wide range
of church-related records, including membership rolls, pew rentals, missionary reports,
and denominational newspapers, and explains how they can deepen family history
research. Par]cipants will learn where to locate these records in archives, online
databases, and denominational collec]ons. The session also focuses on interpre]ng
church-specific language, recognizing bias, and placing records in historical and social
context. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for using church records to enrich
and strengthen their family narratves.
(4) What’s in Your Canadian Genealogy Toolbox? - This session introduces participants to
the most valuable websites for researching ancestors in Canada and building a strong
Canadian genealogy toolbox. Attendees will learn where to find national, provincial, and
local records, as well as online collec]ons of newspapers, maps, photographs, and
historical documents. The session highlights key resources, including Library and
Archives Canada, provincial and local archives, specialized databases, and collaborative
genealogy platforms. Designed for all experience levels, the program demonstrates how
to navigate these sites effec]vely and understand what types of records each offers.
Participants will leave with a curated list of trusted online resources and practical tips for
advancing their Canadian family history research.
About The Rochester Genealogical Society
RGS began in 1938 when several people at a meeting of the Rochester Historical Society formed
an informal group to preserve their family heritage. The Rochester Genealogical Society became
an independent organization in 1977. Since then, we have experienced steady growth and now
have over 300 members. Our members are researching families in all regions of the world.
RGS members are engaged in a wide variety of educatioinal programming offered through the
society and facilitated by national, regional, and local speakers. Members also par]cipate in
special interest groups, including DNA, technological advancement, and writing. RGS offers
beginner sessions in genealogy, photo, and document scanning, and coordinates volunteer
opportunities for members to help preserve historical records and artifacts for future
generations.
For those interested in genealogy or eager to join, we invite you to connect with us through our
