Susan Donnelly | Author | Researcher
Susan brings over two decades of experience researching historical events and individuals, with a personal connection to the immigrant experience. Her ancestors arrived in the United States during the 20th century from County Cork, Ireland, and the Molise Region of Italy.
Her research specialties encompass maritime genealogy, U.S. migration patterns, and American industrial history. What distinguishes Susan's approach is her emphasis on the "why" and "how" of family history. She specializes in sociobiographical storytelling that helps clients develop deeper, more comprehensive understandings of their ancestral narratives.
Previously a genealogist with the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Susan continues to collaborate on projects with American Ancestors and remains actively engaged in meaningful genealogical work that advances the field of family history research.
She maintains professional memberships in both the Association for Professional Genealogists and the National Genealogical Society. Susan holds degrees from Simmons College and completed Boston University's Professional Genealogy program.
Her published works include:
Authoring Heraldry in the Howard Cox Family (Boston: Newbury Street Press, 2025): A richly illustrated and thoroughly researched volume tracing the heraldic traditions of Howard Cox's ancestral lines. Born in 1944, Cox descends as the 4th great-grandson of Chancellor Robert Livingston, who administered the presidential oath of office to George Washington at the founding of the nation. The work examines the coats of arms associated with Cox's forebears through detailed documentation and visual presentation.
and co-authoring The Ancestors and Descendants of William Joseph Finn (Boston: Newbury Street Press, 2023): A genealogical study following the Finn family line beginning with Peter Finn (ca. 1800–ca. 1847), a tenant farmer in County Longford, Ireland, and continuing across three generations to the eleven children born to William Joseph and Katherine Irene (Mullen) Finn in Canton, Massachusetts. William (1881–1942) owned a textile mill in Canton. His grandfather, James Finn (1825–1871), departed Ireland alone in 1841 as an impoverished teenager bound for Massachusetts. James made his home in Stoughton, Massachusetts, where he joined fellow Irish immigrants working in the town's thriving shoe and boot manufacturing industry. As James established his new life and married Bridget Ross in America, his family back in Ireland faced the devastating Great Famine.
Why Choose a Professional Genealogist?
The family tree researcher needs both investigative skills and storytelling ability. As a professional genealogist, I not only help to research your family connections but also place your ancestors in historical context—highlighting their experiences during periods of religious freedom, social hardship, economic changes, and more.
A family history researcher (or genealogist) investigates and documents family lineages, histories, and relationships. Here's what they typically do:
Gather and analyze historical records (birth/death certificates, census data, marriage licenses, military records, etc.)
Interview family members to collect oral histories and personal accounts
Organize and interpret findings to create family trees and narratives
Break through "brick walls" where information is difficult to locate
Provide historical context to understand ancestors' lives
A professional researcher differs from a casual hobbyist in several key ways:
Expertise and Training Professionals typically have specialized education, certification, and experience with historical research methodologies and archival systems.
Access to Resources Beyond public online databases, professionals often have:
Knowledge of obscure or specialized archives
Relationships with record keepers and institutions
Understanding of which records exist but aren't digitized
Access to subscription databases and tools
Analytical Skills Professionals excel at:
Evaluating source reliability
Resolving conflicting information
Understanding historical context for accurate interpretation
Recognizing patterns across multiple documents
Working around missing or incomplete records
Research Methodology Professionals approach genealogy systematically, following established standards to:
Properly cite sources
Document chains of evidence
Distinguish between direct and indirect evidence
Construct proof arguments for difficult cases
These elements allow professionals to produce more comprehensive, accurate family histories, especially when dealing with complex or challenging research situatio