Heritage Discovery Center Library Collection
Our library contains artifacts and original family letters dating in the mid to early 1800s. We also have genealogical resource books, maps, documents, computers and reproduction equipment, procured with membership dues and/or donations to the library by members and/or benefactors
You can make an appointment with Donna Shine to visit the Heritage Discovery Center Library. Contact Donna at librarian@bigswy.org
Northeast Pennsylvania Connections
There are many families from Northeast Pennsylvania who came to Western New York to work in the steel plants and on the railroads. Newspaper articles/death notices that reference Northeast Pennsylvania people with Western New York connections can be found in a database that will be uploaded shortly.
ConferenceKeeper
ConferenceKeeper is an entire calendar of VIRTUAL genealogy events, webinars, and zoom meetings, hosted by libraries and societies all over North America. We've also added more online volunteer projects/opportunities from several very excellent organizations, on the "Volunteer" page.
Buffalo and Erie Country Public Library (B&ECPL)
The Local History File, located in the Grosvenor Room at the Central Library, is the B&ECPL's most comprehensive resource on Buffalo's history. It consists of index cards with citations to articles and books about Buffalo and Erie County topics. The Richardson Olmsted Complex is featured. The Special Collections Division maintains and preserves the rare, unique, and locally significant holdings of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System
https://www.buffalolib.org/subject-guides/home-and-family/genealogy
John Joseph 'Exile' McBride - Buffalo's Forgotten Irish Freedom Fighter & Human Rights Crusader
BIGS member Michael McBride discovered, through DNA, that he was the great nephew of a internationally known human rights crusader known as Exile McBride. Exile joined the Fenians in the Battle of Ridgeway and was captured. After his release, he worked with five American presidents and met with the Prime Minister of England to help gain Irish independence from England.