Cushman Genealogy and General History - Detailed Family Record

In this review of Cushman Genealogy and General History the book proves to be an essential reference for anyone researching the Cushman family line and early New England settlers. It is best for genealogists, local historians, and descendants seeking primary lineage connections because it compiles the descent from Robert Cushman and his son Thomas, who arrived in Plymouth in the 1620s, into an accessible narrative and register. The review highlights its focus on family branches tied to Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and Monongalia County, Virginia, and notes the book's usefulness as a historical reference rather than a modern methodological guide.

Key Features

• Direct lineage focus: Traces the descendants of Robert and Thomas Cushman comprehensively, giving readers a clear ancestral line from the Mayflower-era family into later American generations.
• Plymouth connection: Emphasizes the family's Puritan and pilgrim origins, including Thomas Cushman's marriage to Mary Allerton, which links many descendants to the Mayflower legacy.
• Regional emphasis: Highlights branches that settled in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and Monongalia County, Virginia, helping local researchers pinpoint regional descendants.
• Historical context: Provides narrative detail about Robert Cushman's role as agent for the Leyden Pilgrims and the early transatlantic movements that shaped the family's American roots.
• Genealogical register style: Presents names and relationships in a format suited to reference use, making it easier to extract ancestor names and generational connections.

Who It's For

This book serves genealogists who already have a family surname to research and need a focused source tying the Cushman surname to its earliest American ancestors. It is also well suited to local historians and libraries collecting early New England and Virginal/Pennsylvania settlement histories.

Those seeking modern genealogical methodology, DNA analysis guidance, or comprehensive source citations for every entry should look elsewhere; this volume is primarily a historical and descent account rather than a how-to research manual.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Consolidates the descent from Robert and Thomas Cushman into a single reference, saving time for researchers tracking family lines.
• Connects the Cushman line to Mayflower-era figures, which is valuable context for descendants of early settlers.
• Includes regional focus on Fayette County, PA, and Monongalia County, VA, aiding targeted local research.

Cons

• Not a modern research guide; it lacks contemporary genealogical methodology and extensive source citations for every entry.

Specifications

Title	Cushman Genealogy and General History
Author/Brand	Alvah Walford Burt
Subject	Descendants of Robert and Thomas Cushman
Regional focus	Fayette County, Pennsylvania; Monongalia County, Virginia
Historical period covered	Early 1600s onward, including Mayflower connections
Primary value	Genealogical descent and family history

Our Verdict

For descendants of the Cushman name and historians of early American settlement, this book is a valuable and concentrated genealogy that links families to the Mayflower-era ancestors. It is good value as a reference volume when used alongside primary records and modern research tools, but it will be most useful to readers already focused on family-line study rather than beginners seeking how-to instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book trace all Cushmans in the United States?
It presents the descent from Robert and Thomas Cushman that produced the American Cushman lines, serving as the foundation for many U.S. Cushman families.

Is the book focused on a geographic area?
Yes, it emphasizes families connected with Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and Monongalia County, Virginia while retaining broader New England ancestral context.

Will it help with modern DNA or research methods?
Not directly; the volume is a historical descent record and should be used with contemporary records and DNA tools for complete modern research.