Customer Reviews

Twenty Families of Color in Massachusetts, 1742-1998

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As the great-great-great-great granddaughter of both Aaron Joseph and Stephen Maddox (father and son-and-law through marriage, who are two of the twenty detailed in this book), I would like to say to Mr. Dorman and team a great thank you, thank you and thank you. This book is a very accurate study of these families. The information contained between the book's covers is priceless, and is evidence that countless hours have been placed on attention to detail and accuracy. I say this because my lineage has been traced all the way down to my father's father, who is also mentioned in this book.

"Twenty Families Of Color In Massachusetts 1742-1998" is a must read for those who would like to get a more well-rounded picture of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' population between 1742-1998, and for those seeking a head start in tracing their lineage.

I bought this book in November 2010. It had been on my wish list since 2008. I hadn't purchased it then because it was out of print and being sold by third parties other than Amazon for hundreds of dollars. Mr. Dorman has also made "Twenty Families Of Color in Massachusetts 1742-1998" more accessible by reprinting the book in soft cover. Again, a must read and a must get!

As a descendent of "John T. Hilton" A sincere Thank you to Frank Dorman for his portayal of our families with grace and diginity. His love for genealogy and Massachusetts History allowed our families story to be told. "Twenty Families of Color in Massachusetts" reflects the original twenties involvement and contribution to their community. Once Again as a descendant Thank You.

The author has created a wonderful collection of family histories spanning the Colonial era to the Computer age. Any student or scholar of African-American history and or genealogy should add this fine volume to their own research library. The well researched material and scholarship of this work will make this volume very useful to the African-American historians and genealogist for many years to come.

With the inclusion of readable yet unsympathetic narratives and illustrations, the author has taken the usual genealogical offerings to a new level. Many of his heretofore unknown subjects have been treated with humanity and dignity. The author evidences sound and balanced scholarship, and his work is appropriate for a broad audience of readers. Dorman's "Twenty Families of Color..." is a significant contribtion to the growing body of literature of Afro-American history and culture. And its readership should not be limited to other genealogist and Afro-Americans alone. Louise Daniel Hutchinson, Historian