I recently watched the webinar "Find Your 17th-c. New England Ancestors with NEHGS", given by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), and learned about these great resources. If a customer asks about finding their ancestors in 17th-c. New England, the following books would be a great place to start.
New England’s highest period of immigration was from 1620 to 1640 (peaked in 1630s), and was called the Great Migration. Look at these resources to see if your ancestor was one of those immigrants.
Anderson, Robert Charles.The Great Migration Begins. 10 volumes.
Call no: 325.242 A549
Coldham, Peter Wilson. The Complete Book of Emigrants 1607-1660. Passenger lists.
Call no: 325.242 C688
Hotten, John Camden. The Original Lists of Persons of Quality 1600-1700.
Call no: 325.242 O71
These two books give brief bios and cite their sources.
Colket, Meredith B. Founders of Early American Families.
Call no: 973.2 C696
Hollick, Martin. New Englanders in the 1600s.
Call no: 016.974 H739
This “seminal compendium” of 17th-c. NE marriages is estimated to cover 99% of marriages. Be sure to look at the 2011 edition as it cites its sources within the name entries. The older edition does not, except in its supplements.
Torrey, Clarence Almon. New England Marriages Prior to 1700.
Call no: 974 T694
More Resources
Goodwin, Nathaniel. Genealogical Notes...First Settlers of Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Call no: 974 G657
Noyes, Sybil. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire.
Call no: 974 N958
Pope, Charles Henry. The Pioneers of Massachusetts. Dictionary format, brief bios.
Call no: 974.4 P825 MASS
Joy
