Robert Charles “Bob” Anderson: A Legacy of Excellence in Genealogy
Robert Charles “Bob” Anderson’s influence on genealogy and historical scholarship is profound—perhaps immeasurable. His passing on February 17, 2025, marks the loss of a towering figure whose work will continue to guide and inspire genealogists for generations to come. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, insatiable curiosity, and a generous spirit, Bob transformed our understanding of early New England immigration, enriching the research of historians, scholars, and descendants alike.
The Great Migration Fund
We are deeply grateful to the Anderson family for choosing American Ancestors as a recipient of gifts in memory of Bob. In honor of his remarkable legacy and to ensure the continued success of the Great Migration Study Project, we are proud to establish the Great Migration Fund in tribute to Robert Charles Anderson. This fund will support ongoing research, publications, and initiatives that uphold Bob’s dedication to scholarly excellence and the preservation of early New England history.
Born in Bellows Falls, Vermont, Bob’s academic journey was as distinguished as his genealogical contributions. He earned degrees from Harvard University, the California Institute of Technology, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, originally pursuing a career in biochemistry. His service in the United States Army in electronics intelligence further demonstrated his analytical mind before he ultimately turned his passion to genealogical research in 1972.
Bob’s meticulous scholarship quickly earned widespread recognition. Elected a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists in 1978, he later served as its president. His editorial expertise helped shape The American Genealogist beginning in 1979, and since 1989, he had served as an editorial consultant for the New England Historical and Genealogical Register.
Through his groundbreaking research and dedication to scholarly excellence, Bob Anderson left an indelible mark on the field of genealogy and on all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.
The Great Migration Study Project
Bob’s most enduring contribution is the Great Migration Study Project, which he launched in 1988. Over nearly four decades, he worked tirelessly to document the lives of every individual who immigrated to New England from 1620 to 1640—from the arrival of the Mayflower to the decline of immigration caused by England’s Civil War. His research remains the definitive resource for early New England genealogy.
His legacy is preserved in his prolific body of work: fifteen Great Migration volumes, twenty-five editions of The Great Migration Newsletter, and his methodological guide, Elements of Genealogical Analysis. But beyond his publications, Bob was a gifted educator. His lectures and online courses inspired thousands, and the heritage tours he led across England, the Netherlands, and Massachusetts were immersive journeys of discovery, camaraderie, and historical insight.
When genealogists and historians speak of Bob and the Great Migration Study Project, they use phrases like “master scholar,” “the foremost authority on early New England immigrants,” and “a masterful blend of history and genealogy.” Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David Hackett Fischer called Bob’s work “one of the great historical projects of our time.”
Through his scholarship, teaching, and mentorship, Bob forever changed the landscape of genealogical research. His impact will continue to shape our understanding of the past—and the lives of those who seek to uncover it—for generations to come.