1644-1911 Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Quartermaster

In this review of the 1644-1911 Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Quartermaster George Colton, the bottom line is simple: this reprint is for serious family historians and local historians who need a focused, primary-source compilation tracing one family's lineage from colonial times to the early 20th century. Compiled originally by George Woolworth Colton and preserved here, the book's single biggest reason to buy is the depth of assembled public and private records, making it a useful reference for genealogical research and verifying family links.

Key Features

• Original compilation: The work is the result of George Woolworth Colton's effort to collect genealogical material, providing a concentrated source of family records and lineage notes.
• Range of years covered: The title indicates coverage from 1644 to 1911, which benefits researchers tracing long-term family development across multiple generations.
• Based on public and private sources: The reprint preserves research drawn from both public documents and private papers, offering leads that may not appear in brief indexes.
• Classic reprint format: The edition retains the original arrangement and style, useful to readers who prefer historical presentation and faithful reproduction of older genealogical texts.
• Concentrated single-family focus: As a record dedicated to the descendants of Quartermaster George Colton, the book delivers depth where broader county or state works may be thin.

Who It's For

This volume is particularly well suited to genealogists researching the Colton family or descendants connected to Quartermaster George Colton, and to local historians compiling community-level family histories. The focused nature of the work makes it a valuable primary reference for constructing family trees, confirming dates, and following migration or marital links documented by the original compiler.

Those seeking a general introduction to genealogy, a modern narrative history with commentary, or extensive indexes across many families might look elsewhere; this reprint preserves the original genealogy format and assumes the reader will extract and interpret raw lineage entries.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Faithful preservation of George Woolworth Colton's original compilation gives access to material that may be scarce elsewhere.
• Long chronological span (1644-1911) supports multi-generation research within a single volume.
• Use of both public and private sources provides leads for document-level follow-up.

Cons

• The focused, single-family format means it's not a broad regional reference and will be less useful to those researching unrelated surnames.
• As a classic reprint, it retains older presentation and may lack modern indexes or editorial updates.

Specifications

Title	1644-1911, a Genealogical Record of the Descendants of Quartermaster George Colton
Compiler	George Woolworth Colton
Coverage Years	1644-1911
Format	Classic reprint of original compilation
Source Material	Collected from public and private sources
Focus	Descendants of Quartermaster George Colton

Our Verdict

This reprint is a worthwhile purchase for dedicated genealogists and descendants seeking primary compiled material about the Colton line; it offers substantial historical leads and preserves George Woolworth Colton's research. Readers who want modern editorial apparatus or broad multi-family coverage should supplement it with regional records, but for focused lineage work this volume represents good value as a sourcebook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition reproduce the original compiler's work?
Yes, it is presented as a classic reprint preserving George Woolworth Colton's original arrangement and collected entries.

What time span does the genealogy cover?
The title and contents indicate coverage from about 1644 through 1911, tracing multiple generations within that period.

Is this useful for general family history research?
It is most useful for researchers focused on the Colton family or related lines; casual readers seeking broad regional surveys may need additional sources.