Writing a Query Letter

  • If you know the name of the person you are writing to, address him or her by name and tell how you found his or her name.

    Richard Dudley Boggess:

    I found your name on the Harrison County Heritage Book, 1995.

  • State the surname and given name of the person you want information about.  

    I am particularly interested in the ancestry of Mary Margaret (Coffman) Boggess.

  • Tell what kind of information you are seeking.

    My records indicate that her mother Eliza Coffman was not married to her father.  I would like to find his name and any additional information you may be able to provide.

  • Provide at least one event, one date, and one location. Give more if you have it but keep it brief.

    Mary Coffman was born 16 Oct 1829 in Robinson Run, Harrison County, WV.

  • Don't clutter you query by stating your relationship to the individual in the query.

  • Your return e-mail address or return postal address will tell the sender where to send the reply.

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