Nathaniel Lane Taylor: professional genealogy

I hold a Ph.D. in European history from Harvard University (1995), with over fifteen years of research experience in American and European archives. I have an extensive portfolio of publication in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, The American Genealogist, and other historical and genealogical journals (see publications list). I am well versed in the history of genealogy and different sources used for research in the Colonial and pre-modern periods; I also have detailed technical experience with wills and probate law, both American and European. This depth of academic and professional experience has prepared me to take on a variety of genealogical projects on a professional basis.

Rates are ordinarily $50 per hour but may vary depending on the nature of the project; some rates can be project-based (for example, design or production of books or charts). All initial consultation and estimates are free of charge.


Types of projects

• Lineage preparation, for application for membership to a lineage society such as Daughters of the American Revolution.

• Consultation on a difficult genealogical problem (such as an unidentified ancestor), in any period or locality.

• On-site consultation and analysis of unpublished archival sources in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Central and Eastern Massachusetts.

• Transcription and translation of old documents, and documents in Latin, French, or Spanish (even documents from the Middle Ages).

• Researching and writing a formal narrative genealogy (three or more generations), either for publication or for private circulation.

• Editing a genealogical manuscript (book or article) for publication.

• Transcribing and editing a collection of letters or a diary for publication.

• Production editing (book design, professional pre-press preparation) of a genealogical book or publication.

• Design and production of high-quality genealogical charts (not generated by genealogy software), suitable for display.


Public presentations

An experienced, prize-winning teacher (especially in adult education), I am available to speak to genealogical groups and lineage societies on a variety of topics, from focused case studies to broader introductions to methods or sources, or on the history of genealogy. I present well-illustrated, lively presentations which are well matched to the interests and experiences of different audiences.

Sample topics (includes presentations already given or in development, both for academic and general audiences):

Caleb Lane, Revolutionary Privateer POW: a case study from unpublished English documents (archival research points out a little-known resource for identifying the fates of American revolutionary mariners)

History of Genealogy as a Discipline and an Art (why and how people have traced their family trees, from ancient times to the present)

Wills and Probate in Europe and America (survey of the history of wills—why and how they were developed, and how to find and exploit them for genealogy)

Heraldry in the Colonies (introduction to heraldry; how it was used in Europe and the colonies; and its value for genealogy and cultural history)

Magna Carta, the Barons, and the Origins of Government (historical context of the Magna Carta as an early precursor to modern reactions against 'big government')

Charlemagne and his Legacy (illustrated introduction to the 'Father of Europe', ancestor of every modern person of European descent)

Ancestors in the Crusades (Crusades in a modern context: who were the crusaders, what did they do, and how have we — their descendants — changed our opinions of their legacy over the centuries)


Contact

e-mail: nltaylor@nltaylor.net

telephone: 401-435-6020


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rev 04/07/2009