Slingerland Family Burial Vault

 The Slingerland Family Burial Vault was recently renovated. On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 11 a.m. the burial site will be re-dedicated. See the attached flyer for further details.

Please contact the Town Historian Susan Leath, sleath@townofbethlehem.org or 518.209.5855 for further details.

Capital District Genealogical Society Virtual Conference

The Capital District Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that we are holding a virtual conference in lieu of our regular scheduled meeting on Sept 25, 2021 from 9am to 5pm on Zoom. 

 At this time, both members and the public are invited to register. Please see our website under meetings and events. 

 Registration: Members: $35 & Non-Members: $40. 

 Presentations:     

"The Jones Jinx: Tracing Common Surnames" Thomas W. Jones This case study will explain how missing, erroneous, and altered records were overcome to identify the parents of an orphan named Jones. Attendees will learn research strategies that they can use to solve their own common-surname problems. 

"Getting the Most From Your DNA Matches" Fred Voss Getting started with researching your DNA matches means having your family information well organized and using the right tools from your DNA test vendor to help you narrow your search for the Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA). Mr. Voss will talk about working your way through the best techniques and tools to help connect to that unknown match. A step by step case study is included. 

 "Photo e Detective Roadshow" Maureen Taylor Have you ever wished that I could comto your meeting to look at your pictures? Well now I can. If you’ve watched Antiques Roadshow, then you know how this works. It’s a virtual show and tell. This is a totally interactive event in which members of CDGS submit photos ahead of time and then meet virtually with me to learn about the specific clues I uncover in the photos. The Roadshow Format - basically a group live consult via internet connection - Details for submitting a photograph will be posted to the CDGS Conference website. Only fifteen (15) photos will be selected. This is a "MEMBERS ONLY” offering however, all Conference attendees will be able to attend the session. There will be a $15 fee if your photo is selected. 

"Honesty, Courtesy, and Confidentiality: Ethics for Family Historians" Thomas W. Jones How do “ordinary” genealogists benefit from ethics? How should family historians handle “sensitive” information like adoption, illegitimate birth, law-breaking, and suicide? What are standards of fair use and courtesy? The presenter will answer these questions and address issues related to ethics for all family historians. 

"Organizing Your DNA Matches: Introduction to the Leeds Method" Fred Voss So you log on to your DNA test site and it says you have 1139 matches. OK, what are you going to do next? Mr. Voss will talk about organizing your DNA along family lines by color clustering using the popular Leeds Method. Simple examples take you step by step through this organizing approach.