Upstate NY Genealogy by Lisa Dougherty

02/07/2026

Just saw this quote on an Irish travel and heritage Facebook group:

"The big genealogy platforms are great at giving you hints.
But Irish research? It needs human expertise. The nuances are too complex. The alternative sources too scattered. The destroyed records too confusing for algorithms to handle."

I could not agree more. I just spent the entire morning working on a client's Irish ancestry, and found two very important clues to their origins that I literally had to dig out of the records. In one case, the family's surname was indexed as Newton, Neland, Nelson, and Norton in various census records. In another case, a woman's maiden name was buried in a court case record involving a piece of property she had inherited before her marriage! And these were just records in the United States! Ireland is more complicated still!

Hints will never find those!

The moral of the story is there is no substitute for good ole searching and persistence! It might be time consuming, but it's so WORTH it!

12/30/2025

Yup- guilty here! It's time to STOP procrastinating and get busy with your family history! Get a jump start by making an appointment to meet with me, in person, one on one! 4 appointments are available at the Irish American Heritage Museum, 21 Quackenbush Square, Albany, on Wednesday, January 7 between 5-7pm. You don't have to be Irish to sign up and this service is totally FREE! On-street parking is also FREE in Albany after 5pm! Book your appointment here: https://irish-us.org/events/monthly-irish-genealogy-sessions

11/30/2025

Working on your family history? I'd love to help! I have 30 years experience in solving family mysteries! I'm offering 30 minute one on one help sessions FREE at the Irish American Heritage Museum, 21 Quackenbush Square, on the first Wednesday of every month! There is ONE session left available for this Wednesday, December 3 at 6:30pm. Claim it now before it disappears!

You are welcome to join IAHM’s resident genealogist Lisa Walsh Dougherty the first Wednesday of each month, and explore your heritage!

08/26/2025

New for Autumn 2025- get a double dose of Irish culture every month on the first Wednesday! Starting Wednesday, September 3, I will be available at the Irish American Heritage Museum, 21 Quackenbush Square in Albany from 5-7pm to help with all your family history questions, you don't have to be Irish to drop in! THEN, stay for the music as the monthly session gets underway at 7pm! Parking is FREE on city streets after 5! Hope to see you there!

08/12/2025

There's still lots of summer left to plan that family history road trip! I can help you plan, get you started, or guide you over that tough brick wall! I'll be at the Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Avenue, tomorrow evening, Wednesday August 13 from 5:30-7:30. Drop in, there's plenty of parking and it's FREE!

08/04/2025

If you are one of these people, i am here to help! This week I am back from my summer vacation and have all the tools necessary for you to make amazing family discoveries! Come see me at the Clifton Park Library this Thursday between 11am-1pm. Drop in, it's FREE!

An attempt to make sense of an at-first baffling statistic

06/16/2025

It's just about summer! Time to start planning those family history road trips! Before you make any reservations, stop by to see me at Crandall Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls this Wednesday, June 18 between 10am-12pm. I can help with your genealogy questions and get you started on the right path to a successful vacation!

04/29/2025

Spring is the perfect time to get to work on your family history! On Thursday, May 1, join myself and a knowledgeable group of genealogy enthusiasts at the Clifton Park Library, 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park. We meet from 11am-1pm in the local history room. We always do our best to answer any questions and help break down your brick walls! It's FREE, hope to see you there!

03/31/2025

After a very busy March I'm back to my regular volunteer hours! Join me this Thursday, April 3, at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library between 11am-1pm. I'm there to answer your family history questions- anything from how to get started to climbing over those brick walls! It's FREE, so please join us!