The New England Historical and Genealogical Register is one of the most respected and longstanding publications in the field of genealogy and history in the United States. Since its founding in the 19th century, the Register has played a crucial role in preserving, publishing, and analyzing records related to early American families, especially those from the New England region. For genealogists, historians, and researchers, it offers an unmatched wealth of detailed information, well-documented family histories, and scholarly topics. Its consistency in delivering peer-reviewed and well-researched content makes it a cornerstone resource for anyone studying colonial American ancestry or early American history.
Origins and Foundation of the Register
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register was first published in 1847 by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), an organization established in 1845. The NEHGS was one of the first genealogical societies in the United States and was created to preserve and promote knowledge of family history. The Register quickly became the primary vehicle for publishing the society’s scholarly findings.
From the beginning, the Register aimed to be more than a collection of family trees. It emphasized documentation, original records, and narrative genealogies based on historical evidence. Over time, it became known for its high academic standards and careful editing, distinguishing itself from more informal or anecdotal genealogical publications.
Scope and Types of Content
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register covers a broad range of topics, all centered around early American genealogy and history. Its contents typically include:
- Detailed family genealogies tracing New England lineages
- Transcriptions of early American records such as wills, deeds, church records, and vital statistics
- topics on historical events, migrations, and settlements in colonial America
- Biographical sketches of important historical figures from New England
- Corrections and updates to previously published genealogical research
Each topic is carefully footnoted and referenced, providing readers with access to original source material and allowing them to verify claims or conduct further research. This level of rigor has helped the Register maintain a reputation for reliability and scholarly authority.
Contributions to Genealogical Research
The impact of the Register on genealogical research cannot be overstated. Before the widespread digitization of records, the Register served as one of the few accessible sources for colonial-era records and detailed family histories. It helped shape the way genealogy was approached in the United States shifting it from a hobby to a serious academic discipline in many circles.
Notable scholars and genealogists have published their work in the Register. These topics have often revealed new connections between families, corrected longstanding errors in family lore, and contributed to the development of genealogical standards. Many professional genealogists and historical researchers use the Register as a key citation in their work.
Accessibility and Archives
Today, the New England Historical and Genealogical Register is still being published quarterly, continuing its long tradition of excellence. Back issues are highly sought after and widely used by researchers. Most volumes have been digitized and are available through the NEHGS website or through genealogical databases such as American Ancestors, which is maintained by the society.
Researchers can access nearly two centuries of scholarship, which makes it easier to track changes, corrections, and expansions to various family histories over time. The indexing of topics by surname and subject also makes it easier for readers to locate relevant information.
Importance for Descendants of Early Settlers
For individuals tracing their ancestry back to early New England settlers, the Register is especially valuable. It includes some of the most authoritative published genealogies of families who arrived in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and other nearby colonies during the 1600s and 1700s.
Often, families featured in the Register have been traced back several generations in England or other parts of Europe, offering a rare bridge between American and European records. Because of its focus on accurate sourcing, the Register is frequently accepted as a reliable source when submitting lineage proofs to heritage societies like the Mayflower Society or the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Role in American Historical Understanding
Beyond genealogy, the Register contributes to a deeper understanding of the cultural and social development of early America. The stories of migration, settlement, marriage, inheritance, and religious affiliation all help paint a detailed picture of colonial society. topics often contextualize family data with historical commentary, providing insight into the events that shaped the lives of early Americans.
By recording who lived where, who they married, what roles they played in their communities, and how they moved across the continent, the Register helps historians piece together a more complete and nuanced narrative of America’s beginnings.
Modern Relevance and Continuing Value
Even in the digital age, the New England Historical and Genealogical Register remains highly relevant. While modern researchers can access millions of records online, the curated, analyzed, and interpreted information found in the Register adds context and credibility to those raw data sets. Additionally, many records and family histories published in early editions of the Register remain difficult or impossible to find elsewhere.
Genealogical standards have continued to evolve, and the Register has kept pace by maintaining its commitment to accuracy and scholarly review. It remains a vital publication for anyone conducting serious genealogical work related to New England or early American ancestry.
The New England Historical and Genealogical Register stands as a pillar in the field of American genealogy. Its nearly two-century legacy of preserving and publishing well-researched family histories has made it an indispensable tool for genealogists, historians, and descendants of early settlers. Through its pages, generations of families have been connected to their roots, and countless researchers have found direction and documentation for their work. For anyone interested in American history or family lineage, the Register is a vital source of reliable and richly detailed information.