Taylor Genealogy; by J. Montgomery Seaver; Paperback; 79 pp; 1929; Item # SV15

J. Montgomery Seaver, of the American Historical-Genealogical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania compiled about 50 short family histories between 1899 and the 1920s. Most of the volumes are long out-of-print, but during the 1970s the American Genealogical Research Institute in Washington D.C. reprinted the series. The volumes were faithfully reproduced and bound as they were originally. The books are soft covered, saddle stapled and measure about 5.5 x 8.5 inches. The Taylor volume was published about 1929 and has 78 pages. The following genealogical information can be found in the book:

Illustrations include likenesses of George Taylor, signer of the Declaration of Independence; General Zachary Taylor; and Bayard Taylor;

An introduction that includes a short history of the Taylor surname;

And a descriptive page on the coat of arms given to the Earls of Bective and Marquises of Headfort;

Under the heading of Ancient Taylor Families, Taylors found in “Burke’s General Armory,” are listed as well as a number of descendancies. Those listed are Taylor of Stanbury and Baysgarth Park; Taylor of Barnet; Taylor of Middlewood Hall; Taylor of Strensham; Clough-Taylor of Firby-Hall; Taylor of Carshalton Park; Watson-Taylor of Erchfont; Taylor of Birkdault; Taylor of Sherfield Manor; Taylor of Kennington; Worsley-Taylor; Taylor of Chipchase Castle and Widdrington; and Taylor of Rendcomb Park.

A listing of 31 prominent British Taylors of past generations is given with the biographical description usually giving year of birth and death, occupation, notable achievements, and lists of any published works by the individual.

A listing of 76 prominent British Taylors who were living in 1929 when the book was compiled is also given. Education, degrees, residence, service, birth year and father’s name are usually given.

The royal ancestry of the William H Taylor family back to Alfred the Great, King of England is given as well as that for the J. C. Randolph Taylor family back to Robert III, King of Scotland; the Edward Taylor family back to Edward III, King of England; the George Keith Taylor family back to Robert III, King of Scotland; and the George E. Taylor family back to Henry III, King of England.

Thirty-three pages are given to American Taylor Families, some information as short as a paragraph, others may be detailed descendancies in fine print.

Under the heading of Taylor in the American Revolution, 51 Taylors who were officers are listed with biographical information. Typically listed is the state from which the officer served, their rank and dates thereof as well as their date of termination with the Army (whether by resignation, death, etc.). Listed by state, first name, and the number of Taylors by that name are 2,632 Taylors who served in the Revolution.

Fifteen prominent Taylors from past generations who lived in America are listed in biographical format, typically giving occupation, important life events, year and place of birth, and year and place of death. A listing of 96 prominent American Taylors who were living in 1929 at time of publication of the book is given. The biographical information is sometimes as little as a name and occupation to as much as occupation, father’s name, birth year and place, important life events, and city of residence.

A listing of 39 American localities in which the name Taylor is listed is given.

A listing of how many households, by state, is given, totaling 21,311. It is stated that the list was made from telephone and city directories.

A short section of the book deals with the religious affiliations of Taylor families.

A bibliography of 37 sources, as to where the information in the book came from is given at the back.

Two pages are included for recording family data. The book is in good condition and would make an interesting and useful addition to a researcher’s Taylor surname oriented materials. The book has no index and there are too many Taylor listed to find any one person, so please don’t ask!