GSBC Meetings + Presentations
GSBC Meetings are held every 4th Monday of the month (except holidays and December). General Meetings include a brief business meeting. Meetings start promptly at 7pm in the Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium, 125 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ. Phone (201) 670-5600 (see map, above), unless otherwise noted. Your membership dues directly supports this programming and allows us to host speakers on a wide variety of topics — thank you!
GSBC Special Events + Seminars
The GSBC holds several special events, including our day-long Annual Seminar and late-night RPL Lock-In—where genealogists can attend talks on a variety of subjects, collaborate on problems, and receive one-on-one research assistance. Additional event fee may apply. Discount for GSBC members.
GSBC Classes + Ridgewood Public Library Programs
The Bolger Heritage Center at the Ridgewood Public Library holds events on local history and genealogy-focused computer classes. Ridgewood residents and GSBC members receive a discount on these events. Included in the calendar below are RPL classes of interest to genealogists and local researchers. Please check the full RPL calendar for class information, fees, registration, cancellations, and for classes on other topics. All registration is through the Ridgewood Public Library calendar or by calling (201) 670-5600.
Additionally, the GSBC holds in-depth courses, for those 55 and older, at Bergen Community College, Institute for Learning and Retirement (BCC-ILR). Please check our calendar for registration dates, visit the BCC-ILR website, or contact BCC-ILR at 201-447-7156.
Below is our complete calendar showing all Meetings, Events, Seminars. Library Programs and Classes. Use the Category filter below to hide the events in a specific category.
Specialties:
All computer applications
Advanced Research
Local History
Bergen County
Available by Appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
GSBC General Meeting
Monday, 27 January 2020, 7pm
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium
The Orphan Train Era (1853–1929)
Join the GSBC as we welcome Tom Riley for the first of two talks for 2020. Free and open to the public—all are welcome.
As many as 273,000 children transported from New York to the Midwest over a 75-year period (1854-1929) in the largest mass migration of children in American history. As many as one in four were Irish.
Tom Riley grew up in a broken home in New York and he and his siblings were raised in the foster care system—which spurred his interest in the Orphan Trains. During his professional career with the YMCA, health clubs, and the U.S. Post Office,he worked part-time as a writer and photographer while raising a family. Riley has written more than 2,800 articles and 10 books. He has also presented numerous lectures at libraries, colleges, and other organizations. Four of his ten books are about the Orphan Train Era (1853–1929). In addition, he has been a freelance writer for Rivertown Magazine since 2008.
As a crucial part of his efforts to raise awareness about the history and legacy of the Orphan Trains, Tom is creating an Online New York State Orphan Train Museum via his Patreon page. Patrons of this museum will receive online access to many of Tom’s books, articles, photos, and other memorabilia. In addition, one third of the proceeds will go towards helping Wounded Warriors, Feeding the Hungry and establishing an expanded and beautiful Online Orphan Train Museum. For more information about this museum or to become a patron, please check out the link below: https://www.patreon.com/orphantrainmuseum
Tech Class: Internet Genealogy
Using the Internet to find records, family information and known and unknown relatives. Steven Gabai of the Genealogical Society of Bergen County will begin this program with a short slide show explaining some of the key genealogy records. He will then go onto the Internet and show how to find those records, family information and known and unknown relatives.
Steve Gabai started researching his family history over 20 years ago. He is a member of the Genealogical Society of Bergen County and has been a trustee on the board since 2015. With his two genealogy programs—Introduction to Genealogy and Internet Genealogy—his objective is to motivate others to research their family history and to offer assistance.
Specialties:
AncestryLE
Canadian Records (French and English)
State and Federal Census
Advanced Research
New York City Research
City Directories
For July 2018: by appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Saturday, February 8th @ 2pm
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium
The Making of a Village: Ridgewood Grows Up
Co-sponsored with the Ridgewood Historical Society
Encore Presentation!
The Making of a Village—Ridgewood Grows Up
Encore presentation date! In celebration of the incorporation of Ridgewood on November 26th, 1894, local historians Peggy Norris and Joe Suplicki provide a slide lecture on the critical years between 1894-1905. Using documents, maps, and historic panoramic photos, Norris and Suplicki illustrate Ridgewood’s growth and transformation into a Village.
Light refreshments will be served, no registration required. Co-sponsored with the Ridgewood Historical Society.
Free and open to the public—all are welcome!
Specialties:
AncestryLE
Internet Research
Advanced Research
Netherlands
Available by Appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Specialties:
Ancestry
Census
Ireland
Immigration
New York City and New Jersey
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Tech Class: Spreadsheets & Genealogy
Thursday, 13 February 2020, 7pm
Ridgewood Public Library Computer Lab
Instructor: Fred Voss
Being organized is critical to being a successful genealogist. Some people find spreadsheets to be a valuable tool in this regard. Spreadsheets can be used to help a genealogist with data gathering, data organizing, and data manipulation. This class will look at using spreadsheets for those varying purposes.
Registration and small fee required: $5 Ridgewood residents and GSBC members; $10 for visitors. Registration opens 1 December, 2019 and will sell-out quickly! http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=5615&EventID=394217
Specialties:
All computer applications
Advanced Research
Local History
Bergen County
Available by Appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
GSBC General Meeting
Monday, 24 February 2020, 7pm
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium
Tom Riley
The Great Hunger in Ireland (1845–1852)
Join the GSBC as we welcome Tom Riley for the second of two talks. Free and open to the public—all are welcome.
The Great Hunger In Ireland (1845–1852) saw the population of Ireland decrease from nine million people to below five million in seven years. Approximately 1.2 million people died of starvation, 2.8 million immigrated to Europe, Australia, Canada, and America—with the U.S. receiving the bulk of the immigrants. About 40% of those coming to Canada and America died of disease en route and were buried at sea.
Tom Riley grew up in a broken home in New York and he and his siblings were raised in the foster care system—which spurred his interest in the Orphan Trains. During his professional career with the YMCA, health clubs, and the U.S. Post Office,he worked part-time as a writer and photographer while raising a family. Riley has written more than 2,800 articles and 10 books. He has also presented numerous lectures at libraries, colleges, and other organizations. Four of his ten books are about the Orphan Train Era (1853–1929). In addition, he has been a freelance writer for Rivertown Magazine since 2008.
As a crucial part of his efforts to raise awareness about the history and legacy of the Orphan Trains, Tom is creating an Online New York State Orphan Train Museum via his Patreon page. Patrons of this museum will receive online access to many of Tom’s books, articles, photos, and other memorabilia. In addition, one third of the proceeds will go towards helping Wounded Warriors, Feeding the Hungry and establishing an expanded and beautiful Online Orphan Train Museum. For more information about this museum or to become a patron, please check out the link below: https://www.patreon.com/orphantrainmuseum
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Tech Class: Genealogy on the Move, There's an App for That!
The changes in computing and in genealogical research provide us with opportunities to explore. We can rethink what we carry with us and how we store our information. This session will help you discover the obvious app companions such as those that allow you to carry your family tree and its information with you. We will also look at a number of tools that are available for your mobile excursions and can be adapted for your genealogical research and family connections.
Registration and small fee required: $5 Ridgewood residents and GSBC members; $10 for visitors.
http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=5615&EventID=398215
Barbara Ellman is a genealogist with over 15 years of experience specializing in Jewish and New York research. She has worked with clients in researching their family histories. Her own research has led her to locate family on four continents and includes family back to 1760 in Eastern Europe. Currently, she is the JewishGen KehilaLinks Technical Coordinator assisting site managers in creating websites memorializing the communities where their ancestors lived. Barbara was awarded 2nd prize by the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (IFSHWE) for the 2016 Excellence in Writing Competition. Barbara is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and President of the Genealogical Society of Bergen County.
Specialties:
AncestryLE
Canadian Records (French and English)
State and Federal Census
Advanced Research
New York City Research
City Directories
For July 2018: by appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Monday, 9th March @ 7pm
Ridgewood Public Library Belcher Auditorium
Dr. Alan Delozier, Seton Hall University
Sponsored by the Bolger Heritage Center, Ridgewood Public Library
The History of the Irish in New Jersey
This program will look at the varied and invaluable contributions made by the Irish from the founding years of the Garden State from the Colonial-era to the present day. A look at the development of Hibernian-centered influence will be traced through the individuals, families, events, milestones, and other memorable facets that makes the story of Irish New Jersey special. Guest speaker Dr. Alan Delozier from Seton Hall University.
All welcome, no registration required.
Specialties:
AncestryLE
Internet Research
Advanced Research
Netherlands
Available by Appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Specialties:
Ancestry
Census
Ireland
Immigration
New York City and New Jersey
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
Specialties:
All computer applications
Advanced Research
Local History
Bergen County
Available by Appointment
On-Site GSBC Genealogy Consultations at the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL)
GSBC Members and others receive complimentary on-site consultation with our Genealogy Consultants at the Bolger Heritage Center. All our consultants can help beginners through experienced researchers, guide you in the use of the Genealogy and Local History Reference collections at the Bolger Heritage Center, and help you break through your brick-walls. If you need assistance with a specific area not listed, contact us and we will match you as best we can with an expert in that area.
To make an appointment, email contact@njgsbc.org to reserve your consultation window.
GSBC General Meeting
Monday, 23 March 2020, 7pm
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium
Skip Duett
That Other DNA Test—Understanding and Using Y-DNA
Learn the basics of the science and how to apply Y-DNA to help identify direct male lines throughout your family tree. Understand how to effectively evaluate your Y-DNA matches.
Skip Duett has been actively researching in Upstate New York since 1995 and has extensive experience in Onondaga, Madison, Montgomery, and surrounding counties. He has a particular interest in Palatine immigrants to the Mohawk Valley in the early-mid 1700s; has very strong DNA research skills; and is a published author "The Mohawk Valley Ehles and Allied Families" (2003), documenting over 4,200 descendants of three early Ehle immigrants to Montgomery County, NY.
Free and open to the public—all are welcome.
[Image courtesy of Andy Leppard.]
