Letter of Inquiry
[Proper headings, dates, and indentation will
appear on all correspondence.]
Dear Sir
or Madame:
Recently I began intensive
genealogical research of my mother's family. Bearing the last name Barton, they
are reputed to have lived in the state of Massachusetts since the
early-eighteenth century. I seek your assistance in my endeavor to verify this
claim.
I understand that you possess excellent
genealogical records pertaining to the coastal areas of Massachusetts inhabited
by my ancestors. Several professors with whom I have spoken in the history
department at Boston University have noted that your holdings are particularly
strong for the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Your private archive thus
seems quite critical to my research.
Because I am aware that you screen
researchers quite carefully in order to guard against theft, I would be grateful
to know what types of documents and references satisfy your approval procedures.
I would also appreciate knowing how far in advance appointments must be
scheduled in order to use your facility and when you might have openings.
Thank you in advance for your kind
attention to my inquiries. I am reachable at the address, phone and email listed
in the heading above. I very much look forward to your
reply.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Wilcox
Posted: Thu - May 4, 2006 at 03:00 AM
