Mike began his career at GPC in 1970, while finishing his Ph.D. in England. Waiting for him when he returned was the unedited manuscript of The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, by Val Greenwood. Mike worked closely with Val, and in 1973, GPC released what would become the most celebrated textbook in the field. The Researcher’s Guide is today in its Fourth Edition.
Scores and scores of guidebooks and how-to books followed. Mike acquired the U.S. rights to the In Search of series of books by Anglo-Canadian author Angus Baxter, covering Britain and Ireland, Canada, and Europe. At Mike’s urging, Mr. Baxter expanded the Germany chapter of In Search of Your European Roots into the first guidebook for German genealogy. It is now in its Fifth Edition. Mike also recognized that researchers were eager for expert information on any number of subjects that could not be covered in a single textbook. So, books on subjects as varied as state census records, Ohio genealogy, timelines for genealogists, Virginia genealogy, naming practices, organizing records, Scottish research, church records, African American genealogy, genealogy societies and county courthouses, and many more appeared over the decades. A number of GPC books, including the Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1820, by William Thorndale and William Dollarhide; and Evidence Explained, by Elizabeth Shown Mills (now in its Fourth Edition) were honored as best reference works by one or more of the following: the American Library Association, the magazine Library Journal, and the National Genealogical Society.
In addition to the guidebooks, Mike was cognizant of the fact that during the pre-Internet era, genealogists were often hamstrung because the records they needed were usually available only in courthouses and archives located at great distances from their homes. Moreover, only in rare cases did indexes to these sources (vital records, military records, passenger lists, etc.) exist. His response was to commission hundreds of transcribed and indexed books containing millions of such records. Some of the most memorable of them were the seven-volume Famine Immigrants series that documented upwards of a million Irish arrivals at the port of New York during the horrible potato famine; Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, by Bobby Gilmer Moss; New England Marriages Prior to 1700, by Clarence Almon Torrey and indexed by Elizabeth Petty Bentley; and the multi-volume Complete Book of Emigrants (1619-1776), by Peter Wilson Coldham.
Mike was also a master of the genealogical periodical literature, which motivated him to arrange with a number of genealogical societies—notably the New England Historic Genealogical Society, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, the Maryland Historical Society, the Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, and William and Mary College—to let him gather and index large collections of genealogies and source records and publish them in book form. One series alone, derived from the three leading Virginia genealogical magazines, ran to 20 large, indexed volumes. During this period, Mike took a special interest in the topic of early lists of passengers to America, ultimately becoming the leading authority. He not only published many volumes of colonial and 19th-century records themselves but also wrote the definitive work, American Passenger Arrival Records.
Mike earned his Ph.D. in Eighteenth Century English Literature at NYU. He traveled to England to do his research, and it was probably during that time that his lifelong interest in books was cultivated. He became a serious bibliophile, and collector. He was a terrific storyteller, with a remarkable command of the English language. At the same time, he was a regular guy. In fact, he had been one of the “diner guys” who schmoozed at the Hilltop Diner in Northwest Baltimore following their dates. Director Barry Levinson (also a diner guy) immortalized them in the legendary movie, Diner.
“Michael and I were not only first cousins, we also shared a common birthday four years apart. When my dad, Jules Chodak, who started GPC, passed away, Mike asked if he could do some work for the company while finishing his Ph.D. in England. That may have been the best arrangement I ever made for the company. Over the next forty-three years, Mike made himself into the finest bookman in the genealogy field. It was his knowledge, his persistence, and his connection with people that led GPC to become what it is today. I am eternally grateful for his partnership and all that he gave to me, to our staff, to our authors, and to the field. Goodbye for now…” – Barry
“Mike was a terrific mentor. I worked for him for forty years. Although he knew the genealogy industry like no one else, he was open to new ideas and ran with them. He took an interest in everyone who lived in his orbit. As one of my colleagues put it, “Everybody was a somebody to him.” He possessed an insatiable curiosity, and he would read widely about a new subject that caught his fancy, be it African American cowboys, 17-th century periodicals, pig figurines, whatever. Mike probably could have been a groundbreaking psychiatrist, given his fascination with the human condition. Each of us who knew him well will miss him dearly.” – Joe
“I was still wet behind the ears when I joined GPC. Michael extended a welcoming hand that profoundly altered the course of my life. His unparalleled talent and brilliance were immediately evident. He wasn’t just a mentor; he evolved into one of my dearest lifelong friends. Together, we embarked on countless adventures over the years, each moment now a cherished memory. His absence is felt deeply every day, speaking to the profound impact he had on my life. He will be forever missed.” – Roger
“I have only good memories of Michael Tepper….his respect for me and confidence in me.” – John Colletta
“This is, indeed, a tremendous blow for me. Michael…made me a better person….Although he had retired, he was the face of GPC for many years. He will be mourned.” – Christina Schaefer
“Michael will surely be missed.” – Val Greenwood
In memory of Mike, we are gathering reflections and anecdotes that celebrate his extraordinary life and legacy. Whether it was a moment shared, a story told, or an impact made, we welcome you to contribute your personal recollections. Mike touched the lives of many through his work, his passion for genealogy, his storytelling, and his genuine interest in those around him. Each memory shared will help us to honor his memory and recognize the vast influence he had on so many. Please Comment Below.
3 responses to “Remembering Mike Tepper”
Mike Tepper edited my first book in 1987 ( Map Guide) but I was the cartographer, not the writer, and the text of the book written by William Thorndale sailed through Mike’s editing with hardly any changes. But a year later, I drafted a book on my own (Managing) and Mike tore it to pieces. That was when I learned those cryptic notations, “Dele” “Dele” “Dele” “Stet” and “… how about this…” “Spelling!” and “What were you trying to say..” Mike Tepper rewrote my book for me. Later, I realized that Mike Tepper taught me how to write. He was a master of the English language and a great teacher. I miss him terribly! -bill$hide
Mike’s memory will occupy a special place in the hearts of memory—as a person, an author, and a publisher. Many of those who study the past know him as the author of the essential guide AMERICAN PASSENGER ARRIVAL RECORDS: A Guide to the Records of Immigrants Arriving at American Ports by Sail and Steam. For me, Mike was a cornerstone of a publishing team that has understood and supported my vision, whatever I proposed. As our work goes forward, he will be sorely missed.
Quite simply, without Mike Tepper, my New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland would never have seen the light of day. It was Mike who saw potential in a few maps of Ireland, showing various administrative divisions, that I had drawn and sent to GPC. He saw the bigger picture and guided me with his vision of what this atlas required, namely to compile 3 maps for each county in Ireland, one showing civil parishes, another showing baronies and dioceses and the third, Poor Law Unions. Published in 1986, it became a useful reference tool for Irish researchers attempting to identify relevant records for a locality in which their ancestor lived.
I will be forever grateful for his kindness, patience and guidance.
Brian Mitchell, County Derry
William Dollarhide 
Elizabeth 
Brian Mitchell 
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