American Ancestors (New England Historic Genealogical Society) yesterday shared the news on social media that Robert Charles Anderson, long-time genealogist and author of the popular book, The Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1640, died this week.
They wrote:
“Today, we mourn the loss of Robert Charles Anderson, FASG (1944–2025), a monumental figure in genealogy and a dear friend to American Ancestors. With the support of our institution, Bob launched his Great Migration Study Project in 1988 and dedicated over thirty-five years to documenting the lives of the immigrants who came to New England between 1620 to 1640. Bob’s work in uncovering and disseminating the stories of these early settlers profoundly reshaped our understanding of New England’s past and enriched the studies and lives of countless descendants, researchers, and historians.
“Bob’s legacy lives on through his prolific work, which includes fifteen Great Migration books and twenty-five volumes of the Great Migration Newsletter. Beyond his scholarly achievements, Bob was a gifted educator whose tours, lectures, and online courses captivated thousands.
“His passion for history and genealogy, coupled with his generosity in sharing knowledge, has left an indelible impact on our field and on all who had the privilege of working with him.”
