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 Seminar + Special Event
The GSBC holds several special events, including our day-long Seminar and late-night GSBC-Ridgewood Public Library Lock-In—where genealogists can attend talks on a variety of subjects, collaborate on problems, socialize over a light supper, and receive one-on-one research assistance. Additional event fee may apply. Discount for GSBC members.
GSBC Classes + Genealogy Courses at Bergen Community College
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, 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.
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.]
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:
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.
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: Using Land Records
How to find and use land records to tell your family story. Deeds reveal a lot about location, financial status, neighbors, and family that sometimes can be found nowhere else. Beginners and experienced genealogists are welcome.
Registration and small fee required: $5 Ridgewood residents and GSBC members; $10 for visitors.
http://engagedpatrons.org/EventsExtended.cfm?SiteID=5615&EventID=398349
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.
GSBC 2020 Seminar
Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective: A Three-Lecture Program
Saturday, 18 April 2020, 9:30 am–3:00 pm
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium, Ridgewood, NJ
Join the GSBC as we welcome internationally known photo expert and speaker Maureen Taylor for a full day of talks about family photos: how to identify, understand, and preserve them. Whether you are organizing photos as part of your family research or enjoy old photos—this day and these talks are not to be missed!
9:30 am—Coffee and Welcome
SESSION 1:
Identifying and Dating Family Photographs
An interactive lecture on discovering who’s who in family pictures. Learn 10 easy steps for naming those unidentified pictures tucked away in shoeboxes.
SESSION 2:
Buns, Beards, Bodices, and Bustles: Understanding Ancestors Through Clothing
Ancestral fashions and the industry that produced them left behind a fascinating legacy of images and information.
SESSION 3:
Preserving Family Photographs—1839 to the Present
From daguerreotypes to digital imaging dilemmas, this in-depth seminar covers everything a family photographer needs to know about caring for photographs. Topics include printing and sharing digital images, and how to safely label your grandparents’ pictures.
Seminar includes beverages and light refreshments, an option to add a box lunch, chance to win one of our wonderful door prizes, and a Q&A session with Maureen Taylor!
| Type of Registration | Per Person |
| GSBC Member Early-Bird (Registration before 18 March*) | $40 |
| Non-Member Early-Bird (Registration before 18 March*) | $50 |
| GSBC Member (Registration after 18 March) | $45 |
| Non-Member (Registration after 18 March) | $55 |
|
ADD Boxed Lunch—Choice of Sandwich (Beverages will be available.) |
$10 |
| ADD GSBC Membership Join and select the GSBC Member Registration price! |
$20 |
* Online sale or postmarked mail-in form.
Location
Ridgewood Public Library Auditorium
125 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 670-5600
Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/QRNSB1KwS55FvUbU9
Free parking is available in the lower parking lot. Meters in effect for street-parking.
The Ridgewood Public Library and Auditorium are handicap-accessible.
Early-Bird Pricing, Refund, and Cancellation Policy
Early-Bird Pricing is in effect before 18 March, one month before the Seminar. Mail-in forms must be postmarked on or before 18 March. Online pricing will change midnight, 18 March.
Refunds for cancelled registrations will be issued up to one month before the event, or 18 March 2020. Refund requests after this date are at the discretion of the GSBC and Seminar Chair.
In case of a speaker or venue cancellation, refunds will be issued for paid event fees.
Questions? Contact the Seminar Chair Lauren Maehrlein, MA, at heirlines@aol.com or (201) 446-9642.
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.
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.
