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We have created an email account for newsletter submissions and questions. Please send articles to.    newsletter@cdgsny.org

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If you are changing your address either temporarily or permanently please make sure you log in to your account and change your address there (update my profile in the drop down menu on the right. We send our emails and newsletters to the information we have on file for you, so if it changes you must put those changes in the system. Our newsletter, sent by bulk mail, will not be forwarded by the US Postal Service, so if your address changes you will not get the newsletters unless you submit your new address.

Where Will We Be ....

The July presentatioon at The Frothingham Free Library, 28 West Main St., Fonda, NY 12068, which was canceled due to severe weather/flooding, is being rescheduled for a date in September.

"Is that a Princess in My Family Tree?"

CDGS Board members Gail Breen and Dave Lowry present an introduction to Genealogy and Genealogy research. Come, listen, ask questions, get practical pointers on research. there may even be some surprises awaiting you - and an opportunity to laugh a little.  

Please check our calendar (on the horizontal menu) for up to date CDGS event information.

September 26, 2026

Jay Pelletier

Investigative Genetic Genealogy

1 pm - 2:30 pm

Free for all on Zoom

Members of CDGS may register starting September 1. Non-members may register starting September 16.

This presentation will peel back the curtain on Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) and how it is used in criminal cases. Common misconceptions are explored as well as providing a general overview of what Investigative Genetic Genealogy consists of, focusing on the cooperation between law enforcement, genetic genealogy companies, genealogists, and the public. We will explore legal, ethical, and moral dilemmas that can present themselves in these types of investigations, highlighting a Maine case

(a newborn baby abandoned in a gravel pit on a freezing December night) that was solved using IGG.

Jay Pelletier retired after a 25-year career with the Maine State Police. For twenty years, he investigated sexual assaults and death cases. The last seven years of his career were in the newly formed Unsolved Homicide Unit. He was also a member of the Evidence Response Team, processing countless homicide scenes for evidence. Jay had the opportunity, while with the Unsolved Homicide Unit, to gain experience in cases where Investigative Genetic Genealogy was used. 

In 2020, Jay began teaching criminal justice and evidence related classes at Husson University, becoming full time in 2022. He assisted in developing a course in Genetic Genealogy, which draws large class sizes and great interest from students.

Upcoming Events

In early September CDGS will be releasing the updated, searchable, library of all our past newsletters. 1982 - present.  All 175 newsletters will be available to members of CDGS in the "Members Only" section of our website. All issues are browsable or searchable either individually or as a whole.   Older issues range from four pages in length to a huge 32 pages!  Many have data information including records from St. Peters Episcopal Church, The Church of the Assumption, Troy NY, etc.  Some of these issues just might help you "Open Doors to Your Family History".   

To register for presentations/events  you must be logged into your free CDGS account.

You can also join CDGS or renew your membership for 2026 in your account.

Click on the blue button in the heading to log in or create an account.

October 24, 2026

1 pm - 2:30 pm

on Zoom or

at the Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library

Kimball Carter

How to Create Maps for Genealogical Research Using  Power-Point and Google Slides

November 21, 2026

1 pm - 2:30 pm

on Zoom or

at the Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library

Panel discussion about Citizenship by descent.  How to obtain dual citizenship with another country in addition to the U.S.A.  Our panelists will focus on citizenship in Italy, Canada, and Ireland but similar strategies are helpful in obtaining dual citizenship in over 50 countries.

Factual information, personal experiences, and advice will be shared.  Ask questions, learn what you need to do and what paperwork you need to have and what to do if you hit a roadblock.  Panelists will be in-person at the library to interact with the audience.  You can also Zoom in to the presentation and submit questions.