Memorial of Thomas Potts, Junior - Genealogical Account

In this review of Memorial of Thomas Potts, Junior, Who Settled in Pennsylvania, the reviewer finds a focused resource for readers tracing early Potts family lines and local Pennsylvania history; the single biggest reason to buy is its carefully compiled historic-genealogical account that follows descendants through multiple generations. The book will appeal to genealogists and local historians who need primary compiled family information and who accept that a few branches remain incomplete despite the author's careful effort to obtain records.

Key Features

• Historic-genealogical account: Presents a continuous narrative of Thomas Potts, Junior and his descendants, useful for building family trees or contextualizing family stories.
• Multi-generation coverage: Traces descendants to the eighth generation, offering depth for researchers tracking long-term lineage.
• Primary document effort: Contains excerpts and material compiled from family records and historic sources that the author attempted to obtain, adding weight to the genealogical notes.
• Focused regional relevance: Concentrates on Pennsylvania settlement and local context, making it particularly valuable for regional studies or ancestors who lived in that state.
• Scholarly reprint format: The classic reprint preserves the original structure and phrasing, helpful for citation and reference use in research.

Who It's For

The book is best suited to family historians, genealogists, and local history researchers who are specifically investigating the Potts family or early Pennsylvania settlers and who need a detailed generational account to guide archival searches. It is also useful for reference libraries collecting classic genealogical works that document family lines across many generations.

Readers who require exhaustive, fully verified records for every branch or who expect modern editorial updates and complete contemporary documentation should look elsewhere or supplement this reprint with recent archival research, since some family branches remain incomplete despite the author's efforts.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides multi-generation genealogical detail that aids long-range lineage reconstruction.
• Focuses on Pennsylvania settlement context, adding geographic and historical relevance.
• Reprints original material useful for citation and historical reference work.

Cons

• Admits missing or incomplete branches where records could not be obtained, limiting completeness for some lines.

Specifications

Title	Memorial of Thomas Potts, Junior, Who Settled in Pennsylvania
Author	Isabella Batchelder James
Type	Classic reprint of genealogical work
Coverage	Descendants to the eighth generation
Subject focus	Family genealogy and Pennsylvania settlement
Editorial note	Includes excerpts and compiled family records with some incomplete branches

Our Verdict

This reprint is a worthwhile purchase for genealogists and local historians seeking an authoritative, generational account of the Potts family and early Pennsylvania settlement; its value lies in the detailed lineage and original compiled records, though serious researchers should be aware that a few branches are incomplete and may need supplementary archival work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book cover all family branches?
It covers many lines through the eighth generation but notes that a few branches are incomplete where records could not be obtained.

Is this a modern edition with commentary?
This is a classic reprint that preserves the original account and phrasing rather than a heavily updated modern edition.

Who compiled the work?
The book was compiled and written by Isabella Batchelder James, who assembled family records and historical material for the memorial.