My Riggs Papers Published in Print
These are learned journal articles
(that is, they are peer reviewed)
Go here for my Riggs papers published online
The Probable Genetic Signature of Thomas1 Riggs, Immigrant to Gloucester, Massachusetts, by 1658
New England Historical and Genealogical Register 164(2010):85-94
ABSTRACT. The genetic (DNA) signature of immigrant Thomas1 Riggs is derived formally on 67 markers from the genetic signatures of three living descendants. The descent proofs are established with classic paper-trail genealogy. The genetic signature is derived using a maximum parsimony argument applied at each node of the descent tree, working from the living descendants up the tree to the immigrant ancestor.
The Probable Genetic Signature of Edward1 Riggs, Immigrant to Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1633
New England Historical and Genealogical Register 164(2010):95-103
ABSTRACT. The genetic (DNA) signature of immigrant Edward1 Riggs is derived formally on 67 markers from the genetic signatures of three living descendants. The descent proofs are established with classic paper-trail genealogy. The genetic signature is derived using using a maximum parsimony applied at each node of the descent tree, working from the living descendants up the tree to the immigrant ancestor. The proofs in this paper rely on prior publication of the article just below in The Genealogist.
The Genealogy of Edward1 Riggs of Roxbury, Massachusetts, Revisited
The Genealogist 23(2009):131-73. With Robert Charles Anderson, FASG
ABSTRACT. The genealogy of Edward Riggs of Roxbury was first presented briefly by Congar in 1866, concentrating particularly on Edward’s New Jersey descendants, and similarly by Orcutt and Beardsley in 1880 on his Connecticut descendants. The first extensive treatment of the entire family was presented by Wallace in book form in 1901. Portions of the early genealogy were subsequently refined by Cory in 1937 and Jacobus in 1959, both relying to some extent on Wallace. There are enough genealogical errors and unsubstantiated relationships in these, and there is sufficient new information, to justify a corrective revisit to the early genealogy of this large and widespread American founding family. With brief erratum in The Genealogist 24(2010):72.
Proposed Hawkshead, Lancashire, Origins of Edward1 Riggs of Roxbury, Massachusetts, and Thomas1 Riggs of Gloucester
The American Genealogist 82(2007):120-29. With Robert Charles Anderson, FASG
ABSTRACT. DNA studies have proved that Thomas Riggs and Edward Riggs were related. Thomas Riggs's origin in Hawkshead Parish, Lancashire (now Cumbria), suggests that Edward Riggs's family might have originated there too.
Hannah Parsons and Her Four Husbands: Early Mormon History and Apostasy
The American Genealogist 81(2006):199-219. With Marsha Hoffman Rising, CG, FASG
ABSTRACT. Hannah Parsons was Nathaniel Riggs's second wife. (Nathaniel was Bethuel Riggs's youngest son.) Her story in various Mormon reference works was inconsistent so this paper is a rewriting of her history and an analysis of why other attempts failed. Hannah's life coincided with early Mormon history and involved several leading characters, including at least one apostate to what is now the main church.
Captain Bethuel Riggs of the Revolutionary War Died in Missouri, Not Ohio
The American Genealogist 79(2004):34-37
ABSTRACT. Bethuel Riggs, a Primitive Baptist elder and Revolutionary War captain, traveled throughout his life, for god or for country, living in many states and starting at least five churches. His birth in Mendham Township, Morris County, New Jersey in 1757 is not in question, but his date of death is often erroneously stated, and two states claim to be his place of death. As will be demonstrated, official records are the source of the ambiguity. The purpose of this article is to set these records straight: Elder and Captain Bethuel Riggs died on 25 July 1835 in Lincoln County, Missouri.