Central New York Genealogical Society
Central New York Genealogical Society Image: George Johnson

Upcoming 2023 GIG Programs

The Genealogy Interest Group (GIG) is for anyone interested in genealogy and learning more about how
technology can help them be more successful in their family history research. We welcome beginners and
experienced researchers!
GIG aims to:
  • foster an interest in family history and genealogy;
  • provide a regular discussion forum for members;
  • provide information on sources; and
  • use technology whenever it will help us be successful.
Our monthly meetings have featured group members and guest speakers presenting diverse topics such as
social media, genealogy websites, computer file organization, document preservation, computer security, and
scanner demonstrations. An effort is made to allow time at the end of each meeting for general discussion and
sharing among the group members.
 
 
The Genealogy Interest Group will meet via Zoom on Monday, March 27 at 6:00pm (ET).  Our guest speaker will be Ward Bray.  Ward’s presentation is titled “Finding Adoptee Birth Parents: A Beginner's Guide and Primer”. 
 
Ward R. Bray has been an LDS Family History Center volunteer librarian for over thirty (30) years and has a weekly shift. He is a member of the Association for Professional Genealogists (APG) performing research for clients for over twenty (20) years. He is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo (Business Management) and Niagara Community College (Computer Technology). Ward retired in 2015 from M&T Bank where he was a Vice President and technology leader in their Anti-Money-Laundering department.
Ward specializes in Western New York as well as Welsh and English genealogical research. Ward is experienced with Kinship Report preparation for cases in Erie and Niagara County New York Surrogates Court. Ward has helped to reunite families who were separated due to adoption using research and DNA.
Ward has been asked over the years to present various genealogical-related topics to organizations including the local Family History Center’s annual family day, historical societies in Buffalo and Rochester, Financial Planners, and genealogical clubs and groups in Amherst and North Tonawanda. Topics include Church Records, Land Records, Adoption and Forensic Genealogy (expert witness efforts for Surrogates Court cases).
 
If you are not already on the GIG email notification list and would like to attend this meeting, please request the Zoom link by sending an email to susanproch@gmail.com.
 
Thank you and hope all is well with you.
 
Susan Proch