Register style, a specific format for organizing genealogical
data, was first introduced in the January 1870 Register. Editor
Albert Harrison Hoyt explained “for the benefit of future
contributors to the Register, and perhaps of those about to
publish family-genealogies, we have arranged the Sherman
Genealogy, a portion of which appears in this number of the
Register, on a plan easily understood, and convenient for
reference.” In the July 1883 Register, John Ward Dean reported
on the ‘Register plan for genealogical records.’ “It has now
been in use thirteen years and has given satisfaction. The
Publishing Committee will continue to require genealogies
intended for the Register to be arranged on this plan.”
Modifications have been made to this style over the last 140+
years to account for changing tastes and technologies, but the
format remains flexible, effective, and popular. In the
Publications Department we regularly receive enquiries from
people seeking guidelines for writing their genealogical
informatio