NEHGS - Meet Our Experts

Our research services staff includes professional genealogists, librarians, and historians who work together to form an unparalleled team to assist you in your research.

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Meet Our Experts

Marie E. Daly
Director of the Library
Christopher C. Child
Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press
Valerie Beaudrault
Visitor Services Representative
David C. Dearborn, FASG
Genealogist
Henry Hoff, CG, FASG
Editor of the Register
David Allen Lambert
The Online Genealogist
Michael J. Leclerc
Director of Special Projects
Judith Lucey
Assistant Archivist
Jean Maguire
Technical Services / Serials Librarian
Rhonda R. McClure
Staff Genealogist
Julie Helen Otto
Genealogist
D. Joshua Taylor
Director of Education and Programs

Marie E. Daly Director of the Library
Marie joined the staff of NEHGS in 1987 as Business Manager, then became Chief Financial Officer in 1998, and was named Director of Library Services in 2002. She received a B.S. from Northeastern University and an MPH from Boston University. In her spare time, Marie traces her Irish ancestors. She is the past president and co-founder of TIARA (the Irish Ancestral Research Association) and has been researching, lecturing, and writing about Irish genealogy since 1976. She is particularly interested in old Irish graveyards and has transcribed the tombstone inscriptions in several Irish cemeteries in the Boston area. Read Marie' aricles on Irish Ancestry. Areas of expertise: Irish and Irish-American genealogy, Prince Edward Island genealogy, 19th and 20th century immigrant research, and researching early Watertown Massachusetts families in land records.

Marie E. Daly
Director of the Library

Marie joined the staff of NEHGS in 1987 as Business Manager, then became Chief Financial Officer in 1998, and was named Director of Library Services in 2002. She received a B.S. from Northeastern University and an MPH from Boston University. In her spare time, Marie traces her Irish ancestors. She is the past president and co-founder of TIARA (the Irish Ancestral Research Association) and has been researching, lecturing, and writing about Irish genealogy since 1976. She is particularly interested in old Irish graveyards and has transcribed the tombstone inscriptions in several Irish cemeteries in the Boston area.

Read Marie' aricles on Irish Ancestry.

Areas of expertise: Irish and Irish-American genealogy, Prince Edward Island genealogy, 19th and 20th century immigrant research, and researching early Watertown Massachusetts families in land records.

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Christopher C. Child Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press
Originally from Putnam, Connecticut, Chris Child has worked for various departments at NEHGS since 1997 and became a full-time employee in July 2003. He has been a member of NEHGS since the age of eleven. Chris graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in history from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey in 2003. He belongs to the National History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta. His genealogical interests include the American and English descendants of Wolstone and Ellen (Empson) Childe of London; Southern New England, especially Connecticut; ancestry of notable figures, especially presidents; genetics and genealogy; African-American and Native-American genealogy. Chris has written articles published in a few genealogical journals, including an article in New England Ancestors in 2003 on the maternal ancestry of Abraham Lincoln. Watch Chris Child on WBZ-TV and on New England Cable News Areas of expertise: the American and English descendants of Wolstone and Ellen (Empson) Childe of London; Southern New England, especially Connecticut; ancestry of notable figures, especially presidents; genetics and genealogy; African-American and Native-American genealogy, 19th and 20th Century research, and westward migrations out of New England. Chris has lectured on genetics and genealogy and applying to hereditary societies.

Christopher C. Child
Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press

Christopher Child, Genealogist of the Newbury Street Press

Originally from Putnam, Connecticut, Chris Child has worked for various departments at NEHGS since 1997 and became a full-time employee in July 2003. He has been a member of NEHGS since the age of eleven. Chris graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in history from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey in 2003. He belongs to the National History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta. His genealogical interests include the American and English descendants of Wolstone and Ellen (Empson) Childe of London; Southern New England, especially Connecticut; ancestry of notable figures, especially presidents; genetics and genealogy; African-American and Native-American genealogy. Chris has written articles published in a few genealogical journals, including an article in New England Ancestors in 2003 on the maternal ancestry of Abraham Lincoln.

Watch Chris Child on WBZ-TV and on New England Cable News

Areas of expertise: the American and English descendants of Wolstone and Ellen (Empson) Childe of London; Southern New England, especially Connecticut; ancestry of notable figures, especially presidents; genetics and genealogy; African-American and Native-American genealogy, 19th and 20th Century research, and westward migrations out of New England. Chris has lectured on genetics and genealogy and applying to hereditary societies.

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Valerie Beaudrault Visitor Services Representative
Originally from New Hampshire, Valerie E. Beaudrault joined the visitor services staff in 2002. In addition to visitor services, she assists in editing NEHGS eNews and in historical and genealogical research related to objects in the Society's object collection. She has a BA from the University of Massachusetts/Boston and an EdM from Boston University. Valerie's genealogical research pursuits have focused on her family in New England, upstate New York and Quebec. Areas of specialty: New Hampshire, Upstate New York, Quebec with a focus on the Eastern Townships, newspaper research, some southern African American research (Liberty County, Georgia)

Valerie Beaudrault
Visitor Services Representative

Originally from New Hampshire, Valerie E. Beaudrault joined the visitor services staff in 2002. In addition to visitor services, she assists in editing NEHGS eNews and in historical and genealogical research related to objects in the Society's object collection. She has a BA from the University of Massachusetts/Boston and an EdM from Boston University.

Valerie's genealogical research pursuits have focused on her family in New England, upstate New York and Quebec.

Areas of specialty: New Hampshire, Upstate New York, Quebec with a focus on the Eastern Townships, newspaper research, some southern African American research (Liberty County, Georgia)

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David C. Dearborn, FASG Genealogist
David Curtis Dearborn is a Genealogist. Originally from Andover, Massachusetts, David Dearborn joined the NEHGS staff in 1976 and has been interested in genealogy since the age of eighteen. David graduated with a B.A. in History in 1971 from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. He received his M.A. in History in 1974 from Northeastern University. He received his M.S. in Library Science in 1982 from Simmons College. David’s genealogical interests include the Dearborn Family (descendants of Godfrey, who arrived in New Hampshire by 1638); families of Essex County, Massachusetts and of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont; New York City and urban genealogy; twentieth-century genealogy; eighteenth and nineteenth-century English and Scottish genealogy; Italian genealogy; Westward migration. His genealogical honors include the NEHGS 2001 Employee of the Year Award as well as a Fellow, American Society of Genealogists (elected 1982). David has written numerous articles in scholarly journals and assisted in many published books. Recent publications include "Migrations out of New England" in New England Ancestors , 3.2 (2002) and “Inside Torrey: Perspectives of New England Marriages Prior to 1700” in New England Ancestors, 1 (2000): 22-25; contributions to the new Thorndike Genealogy (2001); and contributions to articles in NEXUS on the ancestry of President Bill Clinton (1992) and Supreme Court Justice David Hackett Souter (1994). David has also been a frequent speaker at NEHGS and national genealogical conferences around the country. Areas of specialty: Essex County, Massachusetts; Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont; New York City and urban genealogy; twentieth-century genealogy and tracing modern collateral lines; eighteenth and nineteenth-century English and Scottish genealogy; Italian genealogy; Westward migration.

David C. Dearborn, FASG
Genealogist

David Curtis Dearborn is a Genealogist. Originally from Andover, Massachusetts, David Dearborn joined the NEHGS staff in 1976 and has been interested in genealogy since the age of eighteen. David graduated with a B.A. in History in 1971 from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. He received his M.A. in History in 1974 from Northeastern University. He received his M.S. in Library Science in 1982 from Simmons College.

David’s genealogical interests include the Dearborn Family (descendants of Godfrey, who arrived in New Hampshire by 1638); families of Essex County, Massachusetts and of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont; New York City and urban genealogy; twentieth-century genealogy; eighteenth and nineteenth-century English and Scottish genealogy; Italian genealogy; Westward migration.

His genealogical honors include the NEHGS 2001 Employee of the Year Award as well as a Fellow, American Society of Genealogists (elected 1982).

David has written numerous articles in scholarly journals and assisted in many published books. Recent publications include "Migrations out of New England" in New England Ancestors , 3.2 (2002) and “Inside Torrey: Perspectives of New England Marriages Prior to 1700” in New England Ancestors, 1 (2000): 22-25; contributions to the new Thorndike Genealogy (2001); and contributions to articles in NEXUS on the ancestry of President Bill Clinton (1992) and Supreme Court Justice David Hackett Souter (1994).

David has also been a frequent speaker at NEHGS and national genealogical conferences around the country.

Areas of specialty: Essex County, Massachusetts; Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont; New York City and urban genealogy; twentieth-century genealogy and tracing modern collateral lines; eighteenth and nineteenth-century English and Scottish genealogy; Italian genealogy; Westward migration.

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Henry Hoff, CG, FASG Editor of the Register
Originally from St. James, Long Island, New York, Henry came to join the NEHGS staff in October 1996. He had previously spent two decades working as a Certified Public Accountant. Henry graduated with a B.A. from Yale University; he received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in New York. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists as well as a Fellow of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. He is also a Certified Genealogist. His genealogical interests include New York and the West Indies. Henry is the author of more than 125 genealogical articles in numerous scholarly journals and is the co-author, compiler, or editor of seven books. Correspondence concerning the Register should be addressed to: Henry B. Hoff, CG, FASG Editor/The Register, 101 Newbury St. Boston, MA 02116-3007.

Henry Hoff, CG, FASG
Editor of the Register

Originally from St. James, Long Island, New York, Henry came to join the NEHGS staff in October 1996. He had previously spent two decades working as a Certified Public Accountant.

Henry graduated with a B.A. from Yale University; he received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in New York.

He is a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists as well as a Fellow of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. He is also a Certified Genealogist. His genealogical interests include New York and the West Indies.

Henry is the author of more than 125 genealogical articles in numerous scholarly journals and is the co-author, compiler, or editor of seven books.

Correspondence concerning the Register should be addressed to: Henry B. Hoff, CG, FASG Editor/The Register, 101 Newbury St. Boston, MA 02116-3007.

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David Allen Lambert The Online Genealogist
The Online Genealogist will offer genealogy assistance to members and non-members of NEHGS via email and phone. David formerly served as the Microtext Department Manager and as a Staff Genealogist at NEHGS. David has been on the NEHGS staff since 1993, having been a member previously. His interest in genealogy started at the young age of seven, and has increased over the past four decades. He has published several articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register; the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, The Mayflower Descendant, and New England Ancestors magazine. His genealogical expertise includes New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; military records; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England. He has published A Guide to Cemeteries in Massachusetts (NEHGS, 2000), and Images of Stoughton, Mass. (Arcadia Publishing, 2001). David has been a Civil War re-enactor for the 12th Massachusetts Infantry. He is a Life Member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati. He is currently the tribal genealogist for the Massachuset-Punkapoag Indians of Massachusetts. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Stoughton Historical Society, of which he has been a member since the age of 10. David is currently authoring the vital, church and cemetery records for the town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. You can contact David by emailing him at onlinegenealogist@nehgs.org. Read David's latest "Question of the Day" now. Areas of expertise: David’s genealogical expertise includes specialties in New England and Atlantic Canadian research, military records, and Native American and African American genealogical research.

David Allen Lambert
The Online Genealogist

The Online Genealogist will offer genealogy assistance to members and non-members of NEHGS via email and phone. David formerly served as the Microtext Department Manager and as a Staff Genealogist at NEHGS. David has been on the NEHGS staff since 1993, having been a member previously. His interest in genealogy started at the young age of seven, and has increased over the past four decades. He has published several articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register; the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, The Mayflower Descendant, and New England Ancestors magazine. His genealogical expertise includes New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; military records; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England. He has published A Guide to Cemeteries in Massachusetts (NEHGS, 2000), and Images of Stoughton, Mass. (Arcadia Publishing, 2001). David has been a Civil War re-enactor for the 12th Massachusetts Infantry. He is a Life Member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati. He is currently the tribal genealogist for the Massachuset-Punkapoag Indians of Massachusetts. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Stoughton Historical Society, of which he has been a member since the age of 10. David is currently authoring the vital, church and cemetery records for the town of Stoughton, Massachusetts. You can contact David by emailing him at onlinegenealogist@nehgs.org.

Read David's latest "Question of the Day" now.

Areas of expertise: David’s genealogical expertise includes specialties in New England and Atlantic Canadian research, military records, and Native American and African American genealogical research.

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Michael J. Leclerc Director of Special Projects
Director of Special Projects Michael J. Leclerc joined the NEHGS staff in 1996, after working for five years at Fidelity Investments. In 2001 he became Director of Electronic Publications and managed the development of two versions of NewEnglandAncestors.org, including the expansion of the website to include searchable databases. He also supervised publication of sixteen titles on CD-ROM. He currently works in the Scholarly Programs department, working on on Newbury Street Press and NEHGS books, editing the Society’s weekly electronic newsletter, eNews, and managing projects such as a venture with Plimouth Plantation to produce genealogical displays and materials for visitors to the plantation. He is also a contributing editor for New England Ancestors magazine. He is a former board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and former Vice-President of Administration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. He is the author of numerous articles in genealogical magazines and journals, and co-editor of Genealogical Writing in the 21^st Century: A Guide to Register Style and More, Second Edition. He is a popular speaker at local, regional, and national conferences throughout the country. Read research articles by Michael Areas of expertise: Massachusetts, colonial Boston, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, the French and non-French in Eastern Canada (Ontario, Québec, and the Maritimes), general methodology and research practices, and genealogical writing and speaking.

Michael J. Leclerc
Director of Special Projects

Director of Special Projects Michael J. Leclerc joined the NEHGS staff in 1996, after working for five years at Fidelity Investments. In 2001 he became Director of Electronic Publications and managed the development of two versions of NewEnglandAncestors.org, including the expansion of the website to include searchable databases. He also supervised publication of sixteen titles on CD-ROM. He currently works in the Scholarly Programs department, working on on Newbury Street Press and NEHGS books, editing the Society’s weekly electronic newsletter, eNews, and managing projects such as a venture with Plimouth Plantation to produce genealogical displays and materials for visitors to the plantation. He is also a contributing editor for New England Ancestors magazine. He is a former board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and former Vice-President of Administration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. He is the author of numerous articles in genealogical magazines and journals, and co-editor of Genealogical Writing in the 21^st Century: A Guide to Register Style and More, Second Edition. He is a popular speaker at local, regional, and national conferences throughout the country.

Read research articles by Michael

Areas of expertise: Massachusetts, colonial Boston, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, the French and non-French in Eastern Canada (Ontario, Québec, and the Maritimes), general methodology and research practices, and genealogical writing and speaking.

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Judith Lucey Assistant Archivist
Judy Lucey joined the staff in 2003. She received a B.S. in Education from Northeastern University and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. Her genealogical interests include Irish genealogy, Newfoundland, 19th and 20th century genealogy, Beginning genealogy, Italian genealogy, and the history of Cambridge and Somerville, Mass. A native of the Boston area, she currently resides in Somerville, Mass. You can email Judith at jlucey@nehgs.org. Areas of expertise: Irish genealogy, Newfoundland, 19th and 20th century genealogy, Italian research, beginning genealogy

Judith Lucey
Assistant Archivist

Judy Lucey joined the staff in 2003. She received a B.S. in Education from Northeastern University and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Simmons College.

Her genealogical interests include Irish genealogy, Newfoundland, 19th and 20th century genealogy, Beginning genealogy, Italian genealogy, and the history of Cambridge and Somerville, Mass. A native of the Boston area, she currently resides in Somerville, Mass. You can email Judith at jlucey@nehgs.org.

Areas of expertise: Irish genealogy, Newfoundland, 19th and 20th century genealogy, Italian research, beginning genealogy

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Jean Maguire Technical Services / Serials Librarian
Jean Maguire is the Society’s Technical Services and Serials Librarian. Her duties include cataloging materials for the library, managing its serials collection, and maintaining the library computer system. Jean joined the NEHGS staff in 1999 after receiving her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. Jean also has a B.A. from Regis College and studied at the Université de Nice in France. Jean’s genealogical interests include Italian genealogy (especially northwest Tuscany), Irish genealogy (particularly Northern Ireland, also Kilkenny and Irish who emigrated at the time of the 1798 Rebellion), and New England local history. Areas of expertise: Italian genealogy, Irish genealogy, social history in genealogy, the NEHGS online library catalog, general database searching, the NEHGS rare book collection.

Jean Maguire
Technical Services / Serials Librarian

Jean Maguire is the Society’s Technical Services and Serials Librarian. Her duties include cataloging materials for the library, managing its serials collection, and maintaining the library computer system. Jean joined the NEHGS staff in 1999 after receiving her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. Jean also has a B.A. from Regis College and studied at the Université de Nice in France.

Jean’s genealogical interests include Italian genealogy (especially northwest Tuscany), Irish genealogy (particularly Northern Ireland, also Kilkenny and Irish who emigrated at the time of the 1798 Rebellion), and New England local history.

Areas of expertise: Italian genealogy, Irish genealogy, social history in genealogy, the NEHGS online library catalog, general database searching, the NEHGS rare book collection.

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Rhonda R. McClure Staff Genealogist
Rhonda R. McClure, 4th floor supervisor and staff genealogist, is a nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer specializing in New England and celebrity research as well as computerized genealogy; is compiler of more than 120 celebrity family trees; has been a contributing editor for Heritage Quest Magazine, Biography magazine and was a contributing writer to The History Channel Magazine. In addition to numerous articles, she is author of ten books, including the award-winning The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy, now in its second edition, Finding Your Famous and Infamous Ancestors and Digitizing Your Family History. Read articles by Rhonda R. McClure Areas of expertise: Immigration and naturalization, Late 19th and early 20th Century urban research, Missionaries (primarily in association with the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions), State Department Federal Records, New England, Mid-West, Southern, German, Italian, Scottish, Irish, French Canadian, and New Brunswick research as well as Internet research, genealogical software (FTM, RootsMagic, TMG, Reunion), digital peripherals, and uses both Mac and Windows machines.

Rhonda R. McClure
Staff Genealogist

Rhonda R. McClure, 4th floor supervisor and staff genealogist, is a nationally recognized professional genealogist and lecturer specializing in New England and celebrity research as well as computerized genealogy; is compiler of more than 120 celebrity family trees; has been a contributing editor for Heritage Quest Magazine, Biography magazine and was a contributing writer to The History Channel Magazine. In addition to numerous articles, she is author of ten books, including the award-winning The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy, now in its second edition, Finding Your Famous and Infamous Ancestors and Digitizing Your Family History.

Read articles by Rhonda R. McClure

Areas of expertise: Immigration and naturalization, Late 19th and early 20th Century urban research, Missionaries (primarily in association with the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions), State Department Federal Records, New England, Mid-West, Southern, German, Italian, Scottish, Irish, French Canadian, and New Brunswick research as well as Internet research, genealogical software (FTM, RootsMagic, TMG, Reunion), digital peripherals, and uses both Mac and Windows machines.

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Julie Helen Otto Genealogist
Julie Otto was raised in Ontario, California and received her A.B. from Scripps College in Claremont, California. She came to New England in 1980 and has been a resident of Somerville, Massachusetts for the past twenty years. Julie joined the NEHGS staff in 1988. Julie's genealogical interests and specialties include general New England (with an emphasis on Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont); the Blackman/Blakeman, Tiffany, Everest, and Dunton families; and the use of materials and handiwork for genealogical clues (e.g. dating photographs by style of clothing). She has been doing extensive work on matrilineal descents. Julie was co-editor for NEXUS from 1989 to 1995, for which she wrote numerous articles, and she drew over 100 charts for Gary Boyd Roberts' Ancestors of American Presidents. She also indexes both the Register and New England Ancestors. Watch Julie's online seminar, "Who Was Your Mother's Mother's Mother's Mother? Researching Matrilineal Lines"

Julie Helen Otto
Genealogist

Julie Otto was raised in Ontario, California and received her A.B. from Scripps College in Claremont, California. She came to New England in 1980 and has been a resident of Somerville, Massachusetts for the past twenty years. Julie joined the NEHGS staff in 1988.

Julie's genealogical interests and specialties include general New England (with an emphasis on Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont); the Blackman/Blakeman, Tiffany, Everest, and Dunton families; and the use of materials and handiwork for genealogical clues (e.g. dating photographs by style of clothing). She has been doing extensive work on matrilineal descents. Julie was co-editor for NEXUS from 1989 to 1995, for which she wrote numerous articles, and she drew over 100 charts for Gary Boyd Roberts' Ancestors of American Presidents. She also indexes both the Register and New England Ancestors.

Watch Julie's online seminar, "Who Was Your Mother's Mother's Mother's Mother? Researching Matrilineal Lines"

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D. Joshua Taylor Director of Education and Programs
D. Joshua Taylor "Josh" is a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. A frequent speaker at genealogical societies, libraries, and other organizations, his previous speaking engagements include GENTECH, the Federation of Genealogical Societies Annual Conferences, the National Genealogical Society Annual Conference, and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. He has authored articles in UGA Crossroads, FGS Forum, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and New England Ancestors, and was a columnist for Digital Genealogist. He is the recipient of the 2003 and 2004 Distinguished Service Awards from the Utah Genealogical Association, the Rubincam Youth Award from the National Genealogical Society, and an Award of Merit (2009) from the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Active in the genealogical community, Josh is a member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Genealogical Societies and serves as Program Director for the Massachusetts Genealogical Council. Prior to becoming Director of Education at Programs, Joshua oversaw the Society’s Research Services Department.

D. Joshua Taylor
Director of Education and Programs

D. Joshua Taylor "Josh" is a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. A frequent speaker at genealogical societies, libraries, and other organizations, his previous speaking engagements include GENTECH, the Federation of Genealogical Societies Annual Conferences, the National Genealogical Society Annual Conference, and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. He has authored articles in UGA Crossroads, FGS Forum, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and New England Ancestors, and was a columnist for Digital Genealogist. He is the recipient of the 2003 and 2004 Distinguished Service Awards from the Utah Genealogical Association, the Rubincam Youth Award from the National Genealogical Society, and an Award of Merit (2009) from the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Active in the genealogical community, Josh is a member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Genealogical Societies and serves as Program Director for the Massachusetts Genealogical Council. Prior to becoming Director of Education at Programs, Joshua oversaw the Society’s Research Services Department.

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