Monthly Programs

About Us-

Our goal is to help researchers of genealogy
learn more about the history of Jefferson County, New York,
find family connections
and ask and answer related QUERIES.

The Jefferson County New York Genealogical Society was formed in 1994 with six members attending the inaugural meeting August 8, 1994 at the Dillenbach Room of the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown. Those six were Maurice Herron of Belleville, Gus Rogers of Clayton, Mary Lou McCreadie of Adams, Helen McDonald of Alexandria Bay, and John and Ellen Bartlett of Syracuse.

The first society publication was called the Jefferson County Family History Association and was published in August 1994 with 30 members noted on the membership roster. Over the years membership has reached 400 plus, however it has leveled off to approximately 225 today. We also have about 15 genealogy societies and libraries receiving our quarterly publication, the Informer.

The JCNYGS has members in 28 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. The Society is a non-profit all volunteer organization. Our purpose is three-fold: first, to promote and encourage original genealogical research. The second purpose is to encourage and disseminate a greater knowledge of genealogy and its history in the county of Jefferson, State of New York. And the third purpose, to gather, preserve, and display and make available: genealogy information, manuscripts, papers, books, photographs, electronic data, and other records and materials relating to genealogy and history of Jefferson County.

Monthly meetings (February through November) unless otherwise advertised, are held at the LDS Church, Ives Street, Watertown, New York.

Driving directions to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where monthly JCNYGS meetings are held:

• From Route 81, take exit 44 to Route 232 toward Watertown. Drive 1.1 miles and take the second left turn on to Ives Street Road. Continue straight into the city. The Latter-day Saints church is the second building on the right; almost directly across from Immaculate Heart Central School (IHCS).


• From Watertown, it is on Ives Street, across from IHCS. Take Washington Street to Barben Avenue. Turn onto Barben Avenue and take it until it ends in a T. Turn left and the Latter-day Saints church building will be 300 yards on the left, just past IHCS.


• Or from Watertown, take Massey Street South; veer right onto South Massey and left onto Ives Street. The Latter-day Saints church building will be on your left, just past IHCS.

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