NYG&B Society Announces Publication of the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer

Have roots in New York?

If you have research interests in the state of New York, you are going to want to get a copy of the latest publication from the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer.

Read the full press release below for more information about this great resource for New York researchers. If you will be attending FGS 2015 in Salt Lake City next week, you can purchase your copy there at their booth!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

          

Media Contact

Cathy Michelsen

212-755-8532, ext. 208

cmichelsen@nygbs.org

NEW YORK, NY, February 2, 2015 — The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society announced the publication of the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer, a comprehensive, first-ever, 856-page reference book.

“The book is absolutely unprecedented in its breadth and depth, covering records in the State of New York for all the major ethnic and religious groups that have lived here. As a reference for family historians, it is simply indispensable,” said Jeanne Sloane, the Society’s chairman.

This ambitious volume has been three years in the making. The review committee comprised top experts on New York research, including four former editors of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, the flagship journal for New York genealogy: Laura DeGrazia; Karen Mauer Jones; Henry B. Hoff, current editor of the New England Historic Genealogical Register; and Harry Macy Jr., the unofficial dean of New York genealogists, who served as the book’s consulting editor.

Early praise for the book has come from David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States; Ann Thornton, Andrew W. Mellon Director, The New York Public Library; and David Rencher, Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch.

D. Joshua Taylor, Director of Family History at Findmypast, wrote, “This book is an absolute masterpiece. The words ‘essential’ and ‘comprehensive’ are simply not enough to describe it.”

Henry Louis Gates Jr. wrote, “This volume is certain to become the standard for the nation and an indispensable resource for anyone hoping to trace ancestral journeys in—and beyond—the Empire State.”

More than 100 historians, archivists, librarians, and genealogists across the state reviewed and contributed content about local and regional resources and key topics in New York family history. The result is a book of more than 856 pages with:

• Chapters on major record groups and research resources, including the most up-to-date and comprehensive review of New York State’s extremely complicated vital records system
• Information on research resources for sixteen major ethnic and twelve major religious groups that have lived in New York
• Gazetteers, maps, and research guides to each of New York’s  62 counties, including the five boroughs of New York City
• An index of over 11,000 place names and place-name variants past and present--the first published gazetteer of its kind since 1872
• More than 100 separate, categorized, special-topic bibliographies vetted by genealogists
• Timelines of key events in New York history from 1609 to 1945 that impact genealogical research

The book’s annotated table of contents is accessible on the Society’s website NewYorkFamilyHistory.org.

The New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer may be purchased either in the  online store at NewYorkFamilyHistory.org, by calling (212) 755-8532, or by mailing a completed order form (from the website) with a check to the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 36 West 44th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036-8105. The book retails for $85 and is available to NYG&B members for $65 and to libraries and societies for $75.

New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer

Prepared by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society 2015. Softcover, 8.5 x 11, 856 pages, including place-name index. Retail $85

ISBN 978-0-692-31998-7

About the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society

The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society has been a primary resource for research on New York families since 1869.  By offering educational programs, scholarly and informational publications, and online resources, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society helps people of all backgrounds build connections with their families and their communities, especially those linked to New York City, State, and region,­ and to appreciate their families’ experience in the broader context of American history.  The NYG&B maintains an eLibrary of unique digital material, including the entire run of its quarterly scholarly journal The NYG&B Record, for its members at newyorkfamilyhistory.org.