Research Reports

Below are research reports exemplifying my research competency and writing style. I created these reports for my own personal research and subsequently make them available to family members and other interested genealogy researchers.

The Father of Mary (McMasters) Boyd (1755-1832)

Using a genealogical evidentiary network diagram of purely indirect evidence, this report identifies Thomas McMasters of Warwick Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania as the probable father of my 5x great grandmother, Mary (McMasters) Boyd. In the process, the mid-1700s McMasters family of Bucks County are similarly profiled.

The Father of William Boyd (1753-1836)

Using a genealogical evidentiary network diagram of purely indirect evidence, this report identifies James Boyd of Northampton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania as the probable father of my 5x great grandfather, who volunteered seven times during the Revolutionary War.

The Father of William Wilson (1827-1896)

Using a combination of Y-DNA, autosomal DNA, and documentary research, this report identifies the father of William Wilson (1827-1896), who resided in Monongahela, Washington County, Pennsylvania in the latter years of his life.

The Ancestral Origins of John Wilson, who died 1799

Through extensive Y-DNA and autosomal DNA analysis and coupled with traditional genealogical records, this report discovers that my 6th times great grandfather was likely from the townland of Derryhillagh in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland with his Scottish ancestors part of the Ulster Plantation in the 1600s.

The Parents of Sarah T. (Wilson) McKinstry, born 1836

Using a wide variety of traditional genealogical records, including U.S. census records, Quaker Church records, Poorhouse records, and Civil War pension files, I not only identified Sarah’s parents but also reconstructed her family tree including 10 other siblings. Sarah principally resided in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

The Parents of Rebecca (Pettit) Gable, born 1819

Using a wide variety of traditional genealogical records, including U.S. census records, Poorhouse records, Insolvent Debtor Petitions, Court of Common Pleas cases, and obituaries, I not only identified Rebecca’s parents but also reconstructed her immediate family including six siblings. Rebecca resided in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Family Composition of Joseph M. Keel, alias Joseph McKeel (1776-1864)

Relying on census, tax, land, marriage, and death records, I was able to reconstruct the family of Joseph M. Keel including his four wives and his four children. Research was somewhat complicated by the fact that Joseph changed his last name from McKeel to Keel later in life apparently moving the “Mc” to his middle initial. His family is confirmed through DNA analysis. Joseph was from Cumberland County, Pennsylvania but migrated to and died in Stark County, Ohio.