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Press Room

About American Ancestors/NEHGS

Founded in 1845, American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society is a leading expert resource for family history research. Our eight-story Research Center in Boston is home to a vast collection of genealogical resources and materials. Our expertise includes the family histories of historical figures, many top Hollywood celebrities, the British and other European royal families, and every United States President.

Brenton Simons giving a press conference

Our expert staff and their research have been featured in a number of local and national media outlets including the Boston Globe, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, “The Ellen Show,” “Inside Edition,” People Magazine, NPR, CNN, BBC News, Fox News, ABC News, and NBC Nightly News. Our work has also been featured in a number of prominent national television shows including “Who Do You Think You Are?” on NBC and “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr,” on PBS. We have also been featured in a variety of videos and in radio and podcasts.

Press Contact

Claire Vail

Vice President for Digital Strategy and Communications
claire.vail@nehgs.org
617-226-1278

Press Releases

FamilySearch, American Ancestors Collaboration to Recover Names of 10 Million Enslaved Africans

February 20, 2024

Brenton Simons Receives an Honorary OBE

November 6, 2023

New Project Will Recover the Names of Up to 10 Million People Enslaved in America Before Emancipation and Locate their Living Descendants

August 3, 2023

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Launches First Ever Boston Tea Party Descendants Program in Partnership with American Ancestors/NEHGS as Part of the Boston Tea Party's 250th Anniversary Commemorative Year

March 11, 2023

American Ancestors Announces Annual Young Family Historians Essay Contest

January 23, 2023

New Accessible, Student-Centered Curriculum Offers K–12 Educators Practical, Classroom-Ready Lessons for Teaching History Through Family Stories and Connections

August 30, 2022

Downton Abbey Creator Julian Fellowes Honored by American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society

July 29, 2022

Massachusetts Governor Charles Baker Honored by American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society

April 27, 2022

Brenton Simons Awarded History Medal by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

November 1, 2021

Brenton Simons Receives First-Ever John Adams Medal for Outstanding Merit in the Study of History and Lifetime Achievement in Institutional Leadership from the Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

October 4, 2021

American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society Hosts Author and Art Theft Expert Anthony M. Amore at Summer Virtual Family History Benefit

July 26, 2021

American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society Announces New Database

July 14, 2021

American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society Wins Award for Family Treasures: 175 Years of Collection Art and Furniture at the New England Historic Genealogical Society

June 30, 2021

American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society Reopens Tuesday, June 22

June 16, 2021

The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at New England Historic Genealogical Society Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

June 2, 2021

American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society Appoints Meghan Hallock as Vice President for Advancement

June 1, 2021

American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society Honors Former UK Prime Minister The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH

April 22, 2021

Media Advisory: American Ancestors Offers Free, Online Live Family History Chat Service with Expert Genealogists

March 17, 2021

Massachusetts Catholic Cemetery Records Now Available Online

February 23, 2021

New Website Documents Family Histories of Enslaved People Alongside the Voices of Their Living Descendants

June 19, 2019