Donald Lines Jacobus

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance. (July 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (July 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. Please help improve it by replacing them with more appropriate citations to reliable, independent, third-party sources. (July 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Donald Lines Jacobus, FASG (1887–1970) of New Haven, Connecticut, is widely recognized among genealogists as a prominent figure in American genealogy.^[1]

In his publications and teachings, Jacobus underscored the significance of employing a scientific approach to utilizing primary sources in genealogical research.^{[citation needed]} This shifted the focus away from reliance on oral traditions and unquestioned acceptance of longstanding pedigrees as factual solely based on their age. Jacobus established foundational principles for proper documentation and citation that are now considered essential for all genealogists.^[2] While Jacobus expressed support for the concept of eugenics, he noted its limitations in accurately tracing bloodlines. He also highlighted the lack of experience among proponents of the field in genealogical research and methodology.^[2]

He founded the New Haven Genealogical Magazine in 1922, which later evolved into The American Genealogist (TAG) a decade later. Jacobus held the positions of editor and publisher of the periodical for 43 years, until 1966.^[2][3][4]