Why Choose Ancestry Tour Agents

With over 30 years experience in the tourism and public gude industry in Salem and the area.  Herson has worked for Pioneer Village, The Peabody Essex Museum, The Salem Wax Museum & Witch Village, multiple haunted attractions, as well as a couple of different walking tour companies, including Salem Historical Tours and Haunted Footsteps.

Along with that Herson has also run tours in Newburyport, Rockport, and Beverly.  He was a guide on Boston’s Freedom Trail for 5 years, and was even a major league tour guide for one season at Fenway Park.    Roger has led groups of up to 100 or more people at a time though he prefers smaller more personable groups.

As a neurodivergent individual, Roger is truly driven to know everything he can about local history.    His knowledge of history (especially medieval and early american) is encyclopedic.  There are not many people who eat, sleep, breathe, and worship history like he does.  If there is a question he does not know the answer to, not only will he find it, but he will retain it.  He also has his own video podcast, and is a stickler for detail and historical accuracy.  When it comes to his tours he tends to cover the details most other companies don't cover.  Herson also loves genealogy and is knowledgeable of that as well.  

Simply put this is the ONLY tour company on the North Shore of its kind.  Herson strives to share parts of the areas  history no other company covers.  This tour is not just unique, it was tailor made to compliment just about any other reputable tour in the area.  There is absolutely no doubt that you will hear stories on this tour you will not hear anywhere else.

Above all else Herson is  12th generation local of the North Shore.  With as many as 100 to 120 to come to New England between the years of 1620 and 1690, he claims a number of ancestors accused in 1692, along with numerous relatives.  He often shares history through the view of his own family tree studies.  This is obvious in his tours as he is known for his passion and love of local history.  

None of our Salem tours are public.  Starting in 2026, ATA will only offer PRIVATE tours in Salem.  This guarantees a personable, easy to hear and understand, less crowded experience every time.  Add this to Herson’s knowledge of optimal spaces, you can guarantee that no matter how busy Salem is, your group won't be mobbed in the massive crowds struggling to hear your guide.  ATA will take you to all the quieter more secluded locations without guests missing out on the sights along the way.  Tours in Beverly and Danvers are also kept to small groups for safety.