Speaker: Katie Feighery

Records generated by Catholic churches in New York City can be treasure troves of information for those interested in family history. 

However, the records are notoriously difficult to track down. Parishes move and close, people move or change their name, all making it harder to find the record that has the information you are looking for. There are about four-hundred parishes in the New York archdiocese, which includes Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, as well as seven upper counties.

What information do sacramental records contain?  What level of information or detail should you expect to find when you begin your search?  How do you begin to find the name of the orphanage where your grandfather lived after the death of his parents?  While, unfortunately, the answer is not a centralized database such as Ancestry.com, this talk will present and discuss some tips and tricks for attempting to track down where your Catholic ancestors were baptized or married, and take a brief look at some other information sacramental records can give you.  

About Kate Feighery
Kate Feighery is the Archival Manager of the Archives of the Archdiocese of New York, located at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie.  Kate graduated from Ursinus College with a Sociology and American Studies dual major. She received a master’s degree in Irish & Irish-American studies and an advanced certificate in archiving, both from New York University.

Program starts at 7pm; the presentation will be preceded by a brief business meeting. All are welcome.