Westchester County
Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 518
White Plains, NY 10603-0518
Last Modified:October 21, 2008
Overview
Westchester County Genealogical Society (WCGS) was organized in September 1982 in Westchester County, New York to bring together people interested in tracing their ancestry. Here members can study methods of genealogical research and exchange information helpful in their search for family roots. Any person, whether amateur or professional, interested in genealogy or related topics is welcome to join WCGS.
WCGS members range from persons just beginning to organizing their family trees to persons possessing over 20 years of genealogical research experience. Our members have research interests in a majority of the United States as well as many foreign countries.
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Meetings
Regular monthly meetings are normally held from 10 A.M. (9:30 A.M. social time) till noon on the second Saturday of each month from September through June, at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 600 Broadway (US9), Dobbs Ferry, NY (across from Mercy College). Entrance is on the lower level adjacent to the parking lot. If the meeting will be at a different location, it is noted below. Non-member guest donation for meeting attendance is $3.
Meeting cancellations, due to inclement weather, are announced on WHUD (100.7FM/Peekskill), WFAS (103.9FM/1230AM/White Plains), WRTN (93.5FM/New Rochelle) and WVOX (1460AM/New Rochelle).
| Date |
Guest Speaker |
Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2008 |
Msgr. Thomas Shelley | Slovaks on the Hudson: Most Holy Trinity Church Meeting to be at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Hall - Bingo Hall, corner of Trinity and Mulberry Streets, Yonkers, NY |
| Oct 11, 2008 |
Libby McKee  |
Genealogy Opens Doors of Hospitality to the DAR |
| Nov 8, 2008 |
Jo Heffernan |
Gravely Speaking: the Who, What, When, Where & Why of Effective Cemetery Research |
| Dec 13, 2008 |
Holiday Party | Special Interest Groups / Study Groups Meeting |
| Jan 10, 2009 | Mary Hoar |
Return of the Ring |
| Feb 14, 2009 | Vincent D'Aquino | Hauntings of the Hudson River Valley |
| Mar 14, 2009 | Toni McKeen | City Directories |
| Apr 11, 2009 |
Gordon L. McDaniel |
Getting the Most out of the US Census on Ancestry.com |
| May 9, 2009 |
Leslie Albrecht Huber |
Voyage to America For more info on Leslie Huber visit her webpage |
| Jun 13, 2009 | Debra Braverman | NYC 1890 Police Census |
| Past Programs | ||
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Publications (Newsletter, Surname List, Journal)
Newsletter
WCGS publishes a monthly newsletter (except July/August) for our members that includes articles of genealogical interest, queries, calendar of upcoming genealogical events, as well as WCGS organizational activities. It is mailed to members of the Society. The WCGS newsletter was awarded first prize by the NGS in the Local/County category for 1997.
Queries are free to members and are not limited to Westchester County Families. Non-members may submit queries at $2.50 for the first 25 words, 10¢ each additional word, with name and address appearing free. All queries are published as space allows.
Surname List
Since 1983, WCGS has published a Surname List. WCGS compiles a list of surnames that WCGS members are researching. It is an aid to help individuals to network with others researching the same name.
The 2007 Surname List contains 1757 surnames submitted by 105 members. Westchester names are highlighted in the list. WCGS did not use information from any previous WCGS Surname Lists. Non-members may purchase the 2007 Surname List at a cost of $7 (which includes postage).
The 2004 Surname List was released on September 2004. Westchester names are highlighted in the list. Non-members may purchase the 2004 Surname List at a cost of $5 (which includes postage).
The 2002 Surname List contains 3,837 surnames submitted by 209 members. Westchester names are highlighted in the list. Non-members may purchase the 2002 Surname List at a cost of $5 (which includes postage).
Mail your request to the WCGS address with check payable to WCGS.
Journal
Since 1990, WCGS has published five edition of our journal, "Westchester Connections,". Previously unpublished material of genealogical value relating to Westchester County (i.e., cemetery records, census indexes, church records, family histories, etc.) is solicited for publication. . The list of articles for each volume is a sample of the articles in that particular issue.
Volume 1, September 1990- Little White Church Cemetery of Dobbs Ferry
- Scarsdale NY 1870 - Federal Census Index
- Knapp Family Bible Records
- Kensico-The Lost Village
- Burial Records of White Plains Rural Cemetery
- Town of Ossining (Sing Sing) Naval Service Section Records - Civil War
- Churchill & Montross Family Bible Records
- Yonkers Public Library Genealogical Collection
- Griffin Cory, Loyalist of Westchester County
- Peekskill Methodist Episcopal Church Records
Volume 2, 1992- 1873 School Census for North Castle
- Purdy Family Bible Records
- Township of West Farms, NY 1870 Federal Census Index
- St. John's EpiscopalChurch Cemetery in Tuckahoe, NY
- Some 1812 Soldiers buried in Westchester Cemeteries
- Interments for White Plains Rural Cemetery, 1877-1878
- Membership Records of the First Baptist Church of Ossining, 1815 - 1830's
- Abstracts of Minutes, Court of Sessions, 1839
Volume 3, 1997- Two New Castle Cemeteries and the People in Them
- Holbrook's Military School, Sing Sing, NY 1870
- Focus on Somers
- The Bulger Family of Westchester Square
- Marriage Records - St John's Episcopal Church, Yonkers 1820-1850
- Newspaper Clippings from The Hudson River Chronicle, 1839
- Revolutionary War Solders Buried at Sparta Cemetery
- The Presbyterians of Sing Sing, Ossining and Mount Kisco
- Williams Family and Teller Family Bible Records
- Highway Commissioners, Town of Yorktown, 1848 - 1894
- Some Marriages from Westchester Newspapers, 1850 -1859
Volume 4, 2002- 20 Years in Westchester - WCGS celebrates its 20th Anniversary
- Register of Baptisms (1855-1868) Irvington Presbyterian Church
- Focus on the Town of Westchester
- Mount Vernon's Early Years
- Sandstones of Van Cortlandville Cemetery
- The Ryers of Yonkers
- Some Marriages from Westchester Newspapers 1850-1859
- 1898 Spanish War Veterans in Convention
- Chappaqua Mountain Institute
- Katonah - a Village on the Move
Volume 5, 2004- Vital Records from the Hyatt Family Bible, Town of Yorktown
- Saint Patrick's Church Cemetery, Verplanck
- Voices of the Past Come Alive at Shrub Oak
- The First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, NY
- Dowdall Irish Ancestral Home Discovered
- Vivian Mae Cyper and William Taylor
- Probating a 19th Century Will
- My Barnes Family Connection to Westchester County
Volume 1, 2, and 3 are still available at a cost of $8 plus $2 for postage for each volume. Volume 4 and 5 are available at a cost of $8 plus $3 for postage for each volume. Mail your request to the WCGS address with check payable to WCGS.
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Reference Material
WCGS maintains a growing collection of books and genealogical research material (periodicals are not available due to lack of space) at the Yorktown Family History Center, Route 134 (about ¾ mile east of the Taconic Parkway), in Yorktown, NY (1-914-941-9754). This is a non-circulating collection which is available for research during normal Family History Center hours.
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Study Groups
WCGS has informal study groups that meet to delve more deeply into genealogical areas that are of particular interest to individual members. These study groups offer opportunities for WCGS members to share research experiences, exchange information, address obstacles, and uncover ways to approach a genealogical "stone wall." Civil War, Dutch, English, Irish, Scottish, as well as a Beginner's study group are among those meeting on a regular basis.
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Annual Dues & Membership Application
- Active (General) Membership $25
- Student (Under 21 years) $10
- Institutional $30
For a copy of the WCGS membership application, please go to the Westchester County Genealogical Society membership application web page, and then use the print option of your web browser to obtain a printed copy.
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Address
Westchester County Genealogical SocietyP.O. Box 518
White Plains, NY 10603-0518
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WCGS Board
Contacts for additional information. Include WCGS in the subject line of your emails.
Non-members are requested to address correspondence to the Corresponding Secretary.
RESEARCH REQUESTS - Please send a donation of $15 (members) / $25 (non-members) if you like WCGS to perform research for you. You will be expected to pay for all photocopies of records, books, etc. Please send research requests to the Corresponding Secretary.
| Board Members | Name |
|---|---|
| President: | Jean MacIntosh |
| Sr. Vice President: | Jerome Coleman |
| Corresponding Secretary: | Kristin Liddle |
| Recording Secretary: | Rosanne O'Reilly |
| Treasurer: | Thomas Liddle |
| Vice President (Publicity): | Philomena Dunn |
| Vice President (Media Librarian): | Nancy Augustowski |
| Vice President (Membership): | Marvin Weinberg |
| Vice President (Programs): |
Don Haney ,
Philomena Dunn ,
Mary Hoar
|
| Newsletter Editors | Name |
| Editor: | Jerome Coleman |
| Production Editor: | Nancy Augustowski |
| Non-Board Jobs | Name |
| Membership Coordinator: | Don Haney |
| Journal Editor: | Jeanne Sutherland |
| Surname Compiler: | Liz Maloy |
| WebMaster: | Philomena M. Dunn |
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WCGS Genealogical Resources Links
- Westchester County Genealogical Resources.
- Westchester County Newspaper Collections.
- WCGS Past Programs.
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Roots Television™
Roots Television™ is by and for avid genealogists and family history lovers of all stripes.
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| webmaster
(Philomena M. Dunn) |
© 1996-2009 Westchester County Genealogical Society |
Our thanks to David Clarke, WCGS first WebMaster, who originally designed these pages. Thanks also to past webmaster, Mary S. Neff, who established WCGS on Rootsweb.
