Testimonials
DAR Restoration — American Revolution
Our family is deeply grateful to Philip Thieler for the extraordinary work he did on behalf of our family and our Revolutionary War ancestor, Michael Coulter (also recorded as Coalter/Coulter).
Michael Coulter's Revolutionary War service had previously been recognized, but his patriotic and military service was subsequently removed from his record by the DAR. Restoring that service was extremely important to our family — not simply as a matter of genealogy, but because it represented the service and sacrifice of an ancestor who answered his country's call during the American Revolution.
Philip approached this difficult appeal in a way that was truly exceptional. His military background gave him a perspective that went far beyond ordinary genealogical research. He understood military organization, terminology, service records, and the realities of military service in a way that allowed him to analyze the historical evidence from a uniquely informed perspective.
Most importantly, Philip knew how to present that evidence in the context of the DAR's requirements. His report carefully positioned the facts and military evidence so that the significance of Michael Coulter's service could be properly understood. His military experience was not simply an additional qualification — it was instrumental in developing the argument that ultimately succeeded.
The result was something our family will always appreciate: Michael Coulter's Revolutionary War military service was restored.
We are immensely grateful to Philip for his professionalism, persistence, expertise, and personal commitment to getting the historical record right. He brought together two areas of expertise — genealogical research and military knowledge — in a way that made a decisive difference in our appeal.
For families facing a difficult genealogical problem, particularly one involving military service, we would recommend Philip without hesitation. His work demonstrates that sometimes solving a historical problem requires more than finding records — it requires understanding what those records actually mean.
With Sincere Gratitude, Michael Williams
More Kind Words
“Phil, I want to thank you for your help and your ability to research my family genealogy. I have been notified of my acceptance into the Clearwater Florida Chapter of The Sons of the American Revolution. I will be sworn in on March 16th. I highly recommend Philip to anyone seeking membership to a Lineage Society or who simply wishes to discover their family history – great research skills!”
“Thanks to Phil's research skills, my membership application to a National Lineage Society is on its way to the National Headquarters. If you wish to apply to a Lineage Society or you find yourself having difficulties with your application, I highly recommend reaching out to Phil for assistance. Thanks Phil, I look forward to setting up the next Lineage Society application.”
“Phil is truly an expert at his craft. His passion for researching ancestry and genealogical information comes through his experience, expertise, and ability to assist and educate individuals on how to complete quality research. With his help and education, I have been able to find out amazing facts and stories about my family, as well as assist others in the history of their families with good confidence in what I find. I highly recommend anyone to work with him if they have any interest in their family and/or interest in learning how to become more reliable on genealogical research.”
German Family Research
“What a wonderful report and work. I'm so grateful! You were the perfect person to help with this project. Your German expertise was invaluable.”