How-To Articles

“Write a Memoir to Remember,” Writer's Digest (July 2002)

“Irish Blessings,” Family Tree Magazine (March 2008): 50-57. May the road to your roots rise up to meet you — just follow these seven steps for tracing Irish ancestors.

"The Tree Doctor,” Family Tree Magazine (November 2007): 52-57. No one’s research is immune to bad dates, faulty facts and even downright lies. Don’t let these errors infect your family tree—follow our diagnostician’s prescription for curing five common genealogical ills.

“Battle of the Bulge,” Family Tree Magazine (March 2008): 16-21. These five genealogical filing systems will slim down your weighty piles of paper and quicken your steps to research success.

“Secrets of a Cyber Sleuth,” Family Tree Magazine (October 2004): 34-39. The Internet sure has simplified family detective work, but online clues don’t always lead to ancestral truth. Follow these six steps to separate proven facts from faux pas and presumptions.

“Viva Italia!,”Family Tree Magazine (June 2005): 52-59. Say grazie to your Italian heritage—and satisfy that hankering for fettucini, frescos, and operatic tenors—with our guide to exploring your roots in the boot country.

“Blazon Truth,” Trace Your Family History [special publication of Family Tree Magazine] (May 2006): 30-35. Don’t let family crest peddlers catch you with your shield down: Learn if you really have heraldic heritage before you shell out for a bogus coat of arms.

Family Histories

The McNamara Family of Co. Clare, Ireland, and Richmond, Virginia. Patrick McNamara married Bridget Touhy about 1829 in Ireland. They had six known children, all born likely in Knockatloe, County Clare, Ireland, and baptized in O’Callaghan Mills, County Clare, Ireland. The family immigrated to Richmond, Virginia, about 1855.

The McGuire Family of Co. Donegal, Ireland, and Richmond, Virginia. Hugh McGuire (1808–1883) was born in Kilrean, Killybegs Lower Parish, County Donegal, Ireland. He married Mary Malloy (1824–ca. 1881) about 1845. Their youngest son, Hugh (1854–1924), immigrated to America about 1871, and eventually settled in Richmond, Virginia. He married in 1881 Margaret L. Rogers (1865–1944).

The Landers Family of Ireland and Richmond, Virginia. John Landers (b. ca. 1803–1884) was born in Ireland and married perhaps twice. His second wife was Nancy Anne Hagherty, b. about 1810–1820 in Virginia, whom he married in 1884 in Richmond, Virginia.

The Williams Family of Richmond, Virginia. John Joseph Williams (?–ca. 1875) was born in Belgium and married Mary Frances Menschke (1835–1884). She was born in Baden, Germany, and died in Richmond, Virginia. Their known son, John Joseph, was born in 1861 in Richmond. This son married in 1885 Margaret M. Mahoney (1865-1938).

The Powell Family of New Brunswick, Canada; Bibb Co., Georgia; and Parker Co., Texas. Absolom Powell (ca. 1815–ca. 1886) was born in New Brunswick, Canada. He married sometime before 1853 Sallie — . Absolom immigrated to America perhaps by 1850, settling in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, and eventually moving to Parker County, Texas.

The Judd Family of England, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Rowland Judd (ca. 1728–after 1805) was born possibly in England. He settled in North Carolina, and had at least three probable children with an unknown wife. Son John Judd (ca. 1768-1824) married Polly — . They settled in Adair County, Kentucky, and the family eventually migrated into Tennessee.

The Thomas Family of Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. John R. Thomas (1797–ca. 1860-70) was born in Georgia and married in 1823 Rebecca Brantly. The family, consisting of ten children, lived in Troup County, Georgia, then Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.

The Eastham Family of Halifax Co., Virginia; Greenup Co., Kentucky; and Upshur Co., Texas. Robert Eastham (?–1803) married Ann — , and they resided in Halifax County, Virginia, with their seven children. Descendants migrated to Greenup County, Kentucky, and eventually settled in Texas.

The Riggs Family of Accomack County, Virginia, and Louisiana
ca. 1687 to 1943.

“A Small Window of Opportunity: The Norris Family Returns to Tamlaghtmore, Co. Tyrone, Ireland,” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 161 (April 2007):119-22.

“The McGuires of County Donegal” (excerpt of a narrative family history)

“The Norris Family of Tamlaghtmore, County Tyrone, Ireland” (excerpt of a compiled genealogy in progress)

“Mania and Nancy Bane: Identifying the Family of Nancy (Donnally) Bane, Inmate at the Central Ohio Lunatic Asylum and the Athens Insane Asylum.” The American Genealogist 79 (Jan-Apr 2004): 121-34.

“Going Through the Side Door: The Irish Origins of Delia (Gordon) Norris of Greenwich, Connecticut,” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register 157 (April 2003): 125-26.

“Immigrant Women and Family Planning: Historical Clues for Genealogical Research,” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 84 (June 1996): 102-114.

“Reverse Research Methodology: Tracing the Wife of William Gibbons Stuart of King George County, Virginia, to Find Him,” The Virginia Genealogist 46 (Jan-Mar 2002): 47-53.

A Sense of Duty: The Life and Times of Jay Roscoe Rhoads and his wife, Mary Grace Rudolph.

David and Charlotte Hawes (Buckner) Stuart of King George County, Virginia, Including Three Generations of Their Descendants. Simla, Colo.: the author, 2001. Coming Soon!