Scholarly Genealogy (DNA) Papers
Go here for my many papers on the Riggs family
Microsoft Word for Genealogy: An Improvement
The Y-DNA Signature of Edward Riggs of Roxbury
How I Was Inspired to Publish a Family History: the Durands of Colonial Connecticut
Microsoft Word for Genealogy: An Improvement
New England Ancestors, vol 8, no 4, 46-47, Fall 2007
Abstract. A set of eight macros is introduced which greatly simplify application of the techniques in my articles about using Word for genealogy (see below). An inexpensive application called ActiveWords implements them.
Word for Genealogy: Utilizing Microsoft Word in Genealogical Documents in Register, or Modified Register [NGSQ], Format
Published in one article as chapter 7, 65-107, of Leclerc and Hoff, eds., Genealogical Writing in the 21st Century: A Guide to Register Style and More, 2d ed. (Boston, NEHGS, 2006), retitled to Writing Using Word for Genealogy: Utilizing Microsoft Word in Genealogical Documents in Register, or Modified Register [NGSQ], Format. The book was reprinted with improvements to chapter 7 in 2007. Originally published as an article in 4 installments, all installments published, New England Ancestor, 2004. Part 1, Summer 2004, vol. 5, no. 3, 50-53. Part 2, Fall 2004, vol. 5, no. 4, 51-54. Part 3, Holiday 2004, vol. 5, nos. 5-6, 59-60. Part 4, Winter 2005, vol. 6, no. 1, 50-51, 54.
Abstract. Genealogists are generally unaware of the power built into Microsoft Word that is directly applicable to their field. This paper demonstrates a set of Word techniques that greatly ease the burden of writing papers or books in Register, or Modified Register [NGSQ], format. The techniques can be easily added to already existing documents.
The Y-DNA Signature of Edward Riggs of Roxbury
New England Ancestors, Summer 2005, vol. 6, no. 3, 46-48
Abstract. The Y-DNA signature of Edward Riggs, immigrant to Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1633, is established using Y-chromosome matching tests on carefully selected individuals. This can now be used to identify his descendants. Other results are also established: 1. Bethuel Riggs, born 1757, Revolutionary War soldier, is "Edwardian" - that is, he is either a direct descendant of Edward Riggs, or both are descendants of a common ancestor; 2. Putative brothers of Bethuel Riggs, namely Silas and James Riggs, are established as Edwardian; 3. Nathaniel Riggs Jr., thought to be adopted by Nathaniel Riggs Sr., Bethuel's son, is proved to be his natural son instead.
This article has been supplanted by a much more thorough one in TAG. See my print published Riggs papers.
Indiana Descendants of Dr. John Durand, 1664-1727: Excerpts from Dr. John Durand of Derby, Connecticut, and His FamilyPart 1: Samuel and Son Orson, Part 2: Orson Durand's Children
Part 1, The Hoosier Genealogist, Spring 2003, 43(2003): 59-62 (plus cover); part 2, Summer 2003, 43(2003):127-30
ABSTRACT. This paper concentrates on the descendants of Dr. John Durand (see my book Dr. John Durand of Derby, Connecticut, and His Family) who found their way to Indiana and influenced Indiana genealogy.
How I Was Inspired to Publish a Family History: the Durands of Colonial Connecticut
New England Ancestors, Holiday 2003, 4(2003):28-30
Abstract. This paper summarizes the various motivations that inspired me to write the Durand book (see book Dr. John Durand of Derby, Connecticut, and His Family.
NGS (National Genealogical Society) Quarterly, vol. 90, no. 4, December 2002 (plus front cover and inside front cover), 273-81
Abstract. I bought an old family Bible from an email correspondent who claimed it contained many of my family surnames. It turned out to be an old Littell family Bible, printed in 1793. This paper is a transcription of it into easily readable form. A careful analysis shows it to validate and expand somewhat the data for a single family in the well-known Family Records or Genealogies of the First Settlers of Passaic Valley, by John Littell, 1852. I have donated the Bible itself and digital images of its genealogical pages to the NEHGS (New England Historic Genealogical Society) in Boston. See erratum below, correcting an error discovered after publishing.
Erratum: page 277, line 6 (hence page 281, last line): Replace the second, or death, year "1806" with "180[7?]". Cf., fifth item below under Westfield gravestones, which establishes the year to be 1807.
Addition: page 280, person 15, Mary Clark Littell: She was interred, on 30 March 1881, in Westfield, Union Co., New Jersey. [Source: Deaths in the New York Post, NEHGS database online, article dated 30 Mar. 1881: "Wed 30th Mary Clark wid Gilbert C Briggs and dau late Caleb M Littell of City Interment Westfield NJ."]
Additions: The source for the following five items is Herbert A. Halsey, Guide to the Colonial Cemetery of the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, New Jersey, online at David Kane, Westfield Presbyterian Cemetery Tombstone Inscriptions, <www.WestfieldNJHistory.com/files/llrecord.htm> (downloaded 16 June 2003):
(1) page 280, person 1, Sarah Marsh: She died 22 February 1802, aged 32 years, and is buried in the Westfield Presbyterian Cemetery as "Acken, Sarah, wife of Jonathan," Westfield, Union Co., New Jersey. The computed birthdate for her is 22 February 1770.
(2) pages 280-81, person 1, Ann[a] (Maxwell) Littell: She died 11 April 1841, aged 72 yrs. 1 mo. 4 dy., and is buried in the Westfield Presbyterian Cemetery as "Sayre, Anne, wife of William (who d. 1828); eldest daughter of Caleb and Susannah Maxwell [widow of Anthony Littell and of Wm. Sayre]," and as "Acken, Anne, widow of Jonathan who d. 1807; d. of Caleb and Susannah Maxwell," Westfield, Union Co., New Jersey. The computed birthdate for her is 7 March 1769.
(3) age 281, person 4, HANNAH SQUIER: She died 4 July 1868, aged 76 yrs., and is buried in the Westfield Presbyterian Cemetery as "wife of Wm. Acken," Westfield, Union Co., New Jersey. The computed birthdate for her is 4 July 1792.
(4) page 281, person 5, Jonathan Acken: He died 11 March 1796, aged 4 yr. 6 mo., and is buried in the Westfield Presbyterian Cemetery as "son of Jonathan and Sarah Acken," Westfield, Union Co., New Jersey. The computed birthdate for him is 11 September 1791.
(5) page 281, person 11, Joseph Acken: He died 19 February 1807, aged 5 mo. 5 dy., and is buried in the Westfield Presbyterian Cemetery as "son of Jonathan and Anna Acken," Westfield, Union Co., New Jersey. The computed birthdate for him is 14 September 1806.