Tracing Your Roots in New York: The Best and Ultimate Guide for Genealogy

by Thomas MacEntee

Genealogy is the study of family history and lineage – essentially discovering who your ancestors were and how you are connected to them. It involves gathering names, dates, and stories to piece together a family tree. This pursuit is more than just collecting names; it’s about understanding your family’s journey through time. Researching your genealogy can provide a sense of identity and belonging as you learn about the diverse cultures and experiences that shaped your family.
By preserving these stories, you ensure that your heritage is recorded for future generations, fostering continuity and connection in your family. In short, genealogy isn’t just a hobby – it’s a meaningful way to explore who you are and where you come from.

Why New York? New York is a particularly significant state for genealogical research. In fact, historians often call New York “ground zero” for American family history because so many lineages pass through it. As one of the original 13 colonies and later a major immigration hub, New York’s records capture early colonial settlers and millions of newcomers. From 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island in New York Harbor processed nearly 12 million immigrants, and an estimated 40% of Americans today descend from individuals who entered the U.S. through Ellis Island. This means there’s a good chance your family history might have a New York connection, whether your ancestors arrived from abroad or migrated from elsewhere in America.

New York’s rich history – from Dutch and British colonial rule to its pivotal role in the American Revolution and industrial era – means that its archives are filled with valuable documents. These records reflect a diverse population, including immigrants from all over the world, indigenous peoples, and people of many faiths. The state’s long history and large population make it a treasure trove for genealogists, but also a challenging landscape that requires guidance to navigate effectively. That’s where this book comes in, to help you make sense of New York’s vast genealogical resources.

Note on the Writing Process

I want to be transparent that this book – Tracing Your Roots in New The Best and Ultimate Guide for Genealogy – was created in part with the help of an artificial intelligence (AI) language model. The AI assisted in generating early drafts of some sections, but every chapter was subsequently reviewed, edited, and refined by me. The final content is the result of extensive human curation and creativity. I am proud to present this work and assure readers that while AI was a tool in the process, the story, style, and substance have been carefully shaped by the author.

Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2025

About the author

What happens when a “tech guy” with a love for history gets laid off during The Great Recession of 2008? You get Thomas MacEntee, a genealogy professional based in the United States who is also a blogger, educator, author, social media connector, online community builder and more.

Thomas was laid off after a 25-year career in the information technology field, so he started his own genealogy-related business called High Definition Genealogy. He also created an online community of over 3,000 family history bloggers known as GeneaBloggers. His most recent endeavor, Hack Genealogy, is an attempt to “re-purpose today’s technology for tomorrow’s genealogy.”

Thomas describes himself as a lifelong learner with a background in a multitude of topics who has finally figured out what he does best: teach, inspire, instigate, and serve as a curator and go-to-guy for concept nurturing and inspiration. Thomas is a big believer in success, and that we all succeed when we help each other find success.