10 New Tools for New York Research

Key points and insights

The webinar “10 New Tools for New York Research” by esteemed genealogist Kory Meyerink offers a dynamic exploration of the most recent and impactful resources available for tracing ancestry in New York State. Drawing from decades of expertise, Meyerink unveils innovative tools—both digital and print—that are transforming how genealogists approach research in this historically significant region. For anyone with roots in New York or an interest in early American genealogical methods, this session offers a wealth of actionable insights that can immediately enhance one’s research strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Revitalized Access to Periodical Sources: The Periodical Source Index (PERSI), now freely accessible online via the Allen County Public Library, serves as a subject index to millions of genealogical articles, including nearly 100,000 related to New York. Its coverage of surnames, locations, and historical topics makes it indispensable for uncovering lesser-known sources like old cemetery records or local court proceedings.
• Innovations from the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B): Meyerink highlighted several transformative offerings from NYG&B, including their interactive digital collections map, a searchable biographical index of over 580,000 individuals, and the “Digitize New York” initiative, which provides funding to preserve and share at-risk documents. The society’s monthly “Collection Close-Up” webinars further educate users about newly digitized sources.
• Breakthrough Resources for Early Settlers and Modern Records: The upcoming “New Netherland Settlers” project aims to profile all individuals in New York before 1664—a scholarly effort comparable to New England’s Great Migration Project. Additionally, Meyerink introduced new tools like MyHeritage’s searchable marriage indexes (1881–1952), Ancestry’s extensive Manhattan voter lists, and FamilySearch’s powerful full-text search across legal and historical documents.

To maximize the benefit of these tools and deepen your understanding, be sure to watch the full webinar replay, available through Legacy Family Tree Webinars. It offers step-by-step demonstrations, contextual explanations, and Kory’s expert commentary on how each resource fits into a broader genealogical strategy.

Finally, genealogists are encouraged to explore the comprehensive four-page syllabus accompanying the webinar, which includes direct links, references, and bonus resources discussed during the session. This essential guide can serve as both a roadmap and a reference point as you embark on or expand your New York research journey.