Virginia Family Tree Genealogy

Book Review: "Lunenburg County, Virginia Marriages 1750-1853" with Last Name Index N-Z

2008-08-07T17:42:00.007-04:00

The following is a summary of the last name index of John Vogt and T. William Kethley, Jr.'s Lunenburg County, Virginia Marriages 1750-1853, 174 pages, appendices, figure, chart and map. Lunenburg County was created in 1746 from a portion of Brunswick County. 2,435 marriage records are reflected in the current volume. They are drawn from a variety of primary sources, including copies of typed bonds in the county court house (the original bonds are missing), scattered ministers' returns in will and deed books, and microfilm records in the Virginia State Library, Archives Division. Two appendices provide a date frequency and a listing of all ministers reporting returns. This is a soft cover reprint of a 1988 original, printed by New Papyrus Co. of Athens, Georgia.

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, let me know.

Here are two sample entries from the book:

"Callis Pamelia F & Samuel W Oslin 17 Apr 1843; b - Gary Thompson min - John C Blackwell - 21 Apr 1843"
"Rainey Francis & Cissly M Gee 8 Jan 1847; date approximate min - Daniel Petty - from return list dated 8 Feb 1847"

The following is a list of names made from the surname frequency index at the front of the book:

Nance Nash Neal Neathery Neblett Neele Nelson Neville Nevils Newbill Newby Niblett Nolley Norment Northington Norvell Nunnally Nunnerly Ogburn Old Oldham Oliver Ombs Oon Orgain Osborne Oslin Overby Overton Overtrhow Owen Page Palmer Palmore Pamplin Pampton Parham Parish Parker Parmer Parrish Parrott Parsons Patterson Patteson Pattillo Paylor Peace Pearcey Pearcy Pearson Pease Peaseley Peebles Pegram Penick Penn Pennington Peoples Perkerson Perkins Peterson Petteford Pettipool Pettus Petty Pettypool Pewett Phebe Philbeard Philips Phillips Pierce Piercy Pike Pilkinton Pillar Pinnel Pitman Poindexter Pointer Pollard Pollock Pool Popham Portwood Potter Poultney Powel Powell Powers Prewit Price Pride Priest Pritchett Procise Pryor Puckett Pugh Puller Pulley Pulliam Pully Pyle Queesberry Radford Ragsdale Rainey Ramsey Rand Randolph Raney Rash Rawlins Read Reams Reaves Redford Redman Redmon Redmond Reese Rhodes Richards Richardson Richie Riggin Riggins Riggons Rigigett Ritchee Rivers Roach Roads Roberts Robertson Robins Robinson Rodgers Roe Rogers Rose Ross Roslett Royall Ruckes Rucks Rudd Rudder Russell Rutherford Rutledge Rux Ryan Ryland Sadler Sale Samford Sammons Sanders Sands Sandys Saterfield Satterfield Satterwhile Saunders Scarbery Scarbrough Scire Scoggin Scot Scott Seamore Seay Sewal Shackelton Sharp Shaw Sheered Sheffield Shelborn Shelborne Shelburn Shelburne Shell Shelor Shelton Sheneberry Ship Shorter Shule Sikes Silts Simmons Sinclair Singleton Sire Skelton Skinner Slaughter Smith Smithson Snead Somerville Sowon Spain Sparks Spencer Stainback Stanback Stanley Staples Steagall Stegar Stembridge Stephenson Sterne Stevenson Steward Stewart Stokes Stone Stout Strange Street Sturdivant Sullivant Summers Swansberry Sweeney Swepstone Sydnor Syme Tabb Talbert Talley Tally Talor Tankersley Tanner Tarpley Tarry Tatom Tatum Taylor Terry Thacker Thackleton Thackston Thaxton Thomas Thompson Thornton Threatt Thrift Throckmorton Tisdale Todd Tomberlinson Tombs Tomlinson Toombs Toone Towers Towler Townsend Traynum Trotter Tubbyville Tucker Tunstall Tunstill Turleyfield Turner Turpin Twitty Ussery Vaden Valentine Vandyke Vaughan Venable Verser Vincent Vuahgan Wade Wagstaff Walker Wall Wallace Waller Walthall Walton Ward Warner Warren Washband Watkins Watson Watts Weakly Weatherford Weaver Webb Wells Welshe Westbrook Westmoreland Whalepool White Whitehead Whitlock Whitten Whittle Whitworth Wiggleworth Wilborn Wilkerson Wilkes Wilkins Wilkinson Wilks Willard Williams Williamson Willis Willmut Wills Willson Wilmoth Wilson Wimbish Winfree Winn Winningham Wionn Wise Witt Womack Wommack Wood Woodward Wooding Woodson Wooton Wootton Worsham Wrenn Wright Wriglesworth Wyatt Wynn Yancey Yarbrough Yates Young Zachary Zackary

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, let me know.

Book Review: "Lunenburg County, Virginia Marriages 1750-1853" with Last Name Index A-M

2008-08-07T17:32:00.011-04:00

"Callis Pamelia F & Samuel W Oslin 17 Apr 1843; b - Gary Thompson min - John C Blackwell - 21 Apr 1843"
"Rainey Francis & Cissly M Gee 8 Jan 1847; date approximate min - Daniel Petty - from return list dated 8 Feb 1847"

The following is a list of names made from the surname frequency index at the front of the book:

Abernathy Abrham Adams Addams Adin Aiken Aikins Aikins Akin Alday Alderson Alexander Allen Alling Almond Alston Ambrose Ames Amos Anders Anderson Andrews Apperson Arms Armstrong Arnold Arvin Ashley Ashworth Atkins Atkinson Atwell Averett Averitt Avory Bacon Bagley Bailey Baines Baker Baldwin Ballard Banks Barksdale Barnes Barrow Barry Bartlett Barton Basbeck Bass Bates Batte Baugh Bayne Beach Bearick Bears Beaseley Beasley Bedford Beevers Belcher Bell Bellsher Bennett Bentley Bently Bethel Betts Beverley Beverly Bevis Biasse Bigger Billups Bing Birchett Bird Bishop Black Blackwell Blagrave Blagrove Blake Blankenship Blankinship Blanks Blanton Blunt Bohannon Bolling Booker Booth Boothe Borum Bose Boswell Bouldin Bowen Bowers Boze Brackett Bradley Bradshaw Bragg Brame Brammer Branagin Branch Brasel Breedlove Brent Bride Bridgeforth Brim Brindle Brinkle Brintle Brizentine Broadnax Broadway Brooks Browder Brown Brubb Bruce Brummer Bryant Brydie Buck Buckhannon Buchnall Buckner Buford Bugg Bullard Burge Burke Burke Burks Burnett Burnette Burton Burwell Bush Buster Butler Byars Byasse Byassee Byesee Byng Cabaness Cabaniss Cabiness Cain Calaham Caldwell Calib Callaham Calliham Callihan Callis Cameron Cammel Camp Campbell Cantalou Cardegill Cargill Carlton Carreer Carrington Carrol Carroll Carter Carver Caudil Caudle Cavender Cayce Chambers Chandler Chaney Chapman Chappell Chavens Chavers Chaves Cheaney Cheany Cheatham Chickley Chishom Chitton Christian Christopher Chumley Chumney Clabourn Cladwell Claiborne Clardy Clark Clarke Claughtoin Clay Clayton Clements Cleuverius Cobb Cocke Cockerham Cole Coleman Collier Collins Colly Colter Comer Connell Conner Cook Cooskey Cooper Cordle Cotter Couch Cousins Covington Cowan Cow Crafton Craghead Craig Craighead Cralle Craven Crawley Creath Creathe Crenshaw Crews Crittenden Cross Crow Crowder Crowe Crymes Cully Cumby Cunningham Cureton Cuttaloe Dabbs Dacux Dagnal Dagnall Dailey Dalton Daly Dance Daniel Dardin Davidson Davies Davis Day Dayley Degraffenreid Degraffenreidt Dedman Degraffenreid Deminan Denkens Denton Depriest Deshazor Dickes Dicks Dickson Dillingham Dixon Dizmang Dobbin Dobbins Dobbyns Dodd Dodson Doggett Doke Dowdy Dowsing Dozer Dozier Drake Dreskill Dudley Dunevant Duniman Dunman Dunn Dunnavant Dupree Eagles Earl Early East Eastham Echols Eckles Eddings Edmonds Edmondson Edmund Edmunds Edmundson Edwards Eggleston Egleton Elam Elder Eldor Eldridge Ellet Ellington Elliott Ellis Elmore Embry Epes Epperson Eppes Epps Erambert Erskine Esters Estes Eubank Evans Evens Falcon Fallin Farguson Farler Farley Farmer Farrar Farriss Fears Featherston Ferrell Figg Filbert Filbird Filboid Finch Fisher Fitzwilson Flinn Flipping Flournoy Floyd Ford Foster Fowles Franklin Freeman Frost Fulilove Fuqua Gafford Gaines Gallion Gandy Garland Garner Garratt Garrett Garrott Gary Gasquet Gaulding Gayle Gee Geers George Gill Gillet Gilliam Gillium Glascock Glasson Glen Glenn Gober Goin Gooch Goode Goodwin Goodwyn Goodwyne Gordon Gosee Gossee Graham Granger Grant Grear Green Gregg Gregory Griffin Grimes Grisham Guantney Gunn Gurney Gwatney Gwin Hailey Haines Haley Haly Hamblin Hamlet Hamlett Hamlin Hammock Hammonds Hammonds Hammons Hampton Haney Hankin Hankins Hanks Hann Hansbrough Hardie Harding Hardrick Hardwick Hardwicke Hardwood Hardy Harper Harris Harrison Harvey Harvy Harwood Haskins Hastin Hastings Hatchet Hatchett Hatchitt Hawkes Hawkins Hawthorn Hawthorne Hayes Haymore Haynes Hays Hazelwood Hazlewood Heath Hendrick Henry Herring Hicks Hight Hightower Hill Hilton Hines Hitchens Hitchings Hitchins Hite Hix Hobson Holmes Holt Hood Hoomes Hooper Hopkins Howard Hubbard Huddlestone Hudgin Hudgins Hudson Hughes Huling Hull Hundley Hunnicut Hurt Hutcherson Hutchinson Inge Ingram Innes Insco Irby Irvine Isbell Jackson Jameson Jarrett Jarrott Jefferson Jeffress Jenkins Jennings Jeter Johns Johnson Johnston Jones Jordan Jusco Justice Justis Kearsey Keats Keeling Keesee Keeth Keeton Kelly Key King Kirk Kirkland Knight Knott Lacey Ladd Laffoon Lamb Lambert Lamkin Lampkin Landrom Landrum Lanier Lawrence Lay Legrand Lee Lefoe Lemay Leonard Lertie Lester Lett Lewis Ligon Lipscomb Lock Locke Lockhead Logan Loury Love Lowery Lowry Lucas Lynch MacCaden MacKan Macan Maddox Maddux Mallery Mallory Malone Maloney Manley Manly Manson Marable Marr Marron Marrow Marshall Martin Mason Mathes Mathews Matthew Matthews Matthis Maury Maxey May Mayes Mayton McAlister McCargo McClaughlin McConico McConnico McCraw McCutcheon McCutcheson McFarland McIntire McKee McKenney McKie McKinney McLaughlin McMachen McQuaid McQuie Meadows Meanley Meanly Middleton Miller Mills Minor Mitchell Mize Mohorn Monday Monroe Moody Moon Moor Moore More Moreton Morgain Morgan Moring Moriset Morris Morrison Mosby Moseley Moses Moss Mount Mourning Mullins Munday Murrell Murrill

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, let me know.

Donation Button

2008-08-07T10:26:00.003-04:00

I wanted to point out that I have added a new donation button to the top and bottom, right side of the page. Some people might think this is tacky but others find it helpful. I spend a lot of time and money on genealogy and try to share a lot of what I find. I answer hundreds of e-mails per month and try to do as many look ups as I can, pretty much for free.

I run a little bit of advertising on the site but none of it brings in much money. I try to get enough to cover my expenses but I am usually in the hole each month.

Why do I do what I do if it does not make much if any money? Why did I give up doing paid research for the most part? The answer...because I have a lot of knowledge in my brain about Virginia genealogy and general techniques that I should share. Other people taught me along the way so I feel the need to do the same. If I had more money, I could get access to more records to share and maybe hire people to do transcriptions.

If you ever have the urge to donate to the project, now it is a little bit easier. You can use these links to pay with PayPal or major credit card. If you would like to send a check or money order, you can do so to the address below:

Virginia Family Tree
PO Box 830
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-0830

Please do not feel obligated to send anything, I just do not want to stand in your way if you do!

Using Ancestry to climb a brick wall

2008-08-07T10:07:00.003-04:00

I had a reader recently ask me where to find accurate GEDCOM files that they could copy and import into their family tree. The obvious answer is nowhere. Unless you do the work yourself, it is hard to truly believe anything you find or are given. However, I responded somewhat along these lines...

It can be tough to find reliable GEDCOM files on the Internet. However, I would suggest that you use a large site such as Ancestry.com. A lot of people do not trust the information at Ancestry.com because no one double-checks anything that is posted by its users. All of the data there has to be taken with a grain of salt. However, I find that the volume of data at Ancestry.com allows you to compare the research of a lot of people and decide which parts you think are correct. I use what other people have found (or claim to have found) to help direct my next research step. I always go back and verify what they claim but it saves me a lot of time, keeps me from starting with zero.

Assuming that you are not a member of Ancestry.com, I would suggest that you sign up for a free trial and try to copy as much info as you can during that free period. If you find all that you need, cancel the membership and do not pay anything. (I have been a paying member for around eight years now and I still find their service valuable.) Copy what you can, going back later to see what you came up with, sort out what you think is garbage, keep what you think is good and go from there. It will at least give you a nice head start on documenting things for yourself.

For example, if I needed to know the father of Bobby Jo Malone who died in Mecklenburg County in 1790 (a totally fictitious example), I could do a search on Ancestry and see what others have found. I might find ten trees with Bobby Jo and maybe three claim to have his parents. I could see what notes those files contain and what sources they cite. One might have a transcribed will of Bobby Jo's father, naming Bobby Jo as his son, in a county I never thought of checking! I could then turn around, go to the archives, and get a copy of the will for myself. I may have never found that document otherwise since I would have never checked that particular county.

I have extended many of my own family lines using this technique and would recommend it to anyone, especially if you are facing a brick wall. (Your brick wall might be common knowledge to someone else).

You can click on the link below if you would like to start a free trial at Ancestry.com. I think this link will give you fourteen days for free...

Ancestry.com Free Trial

John Semple of Scotland and Virginia, d. c. 1770

2008-08-06T16:19:00.003-04:00

John came to King and Queen County, Virginia from Scotland in 1752.

The Virginia Gazette, October 11, 1770:
"To be SOLD, for ready money, on Wednesday, the 21st November, if fair, if not the next fair day, at the dwelling house of John Semple, deceased, in the county of King & Queen, ALL the estate of the said John Semple, consisting of 1200 acres of land, more or less, subject to the dower of Elizabeth Semple, his widow, in the whole, to the dower of Joanne Prince, widow of Francis Prince, deceased, in 150 acres, part thereof; and for the life of Sarah Roberts, widow, in 50 acres, another part thereof. There is on the said land a convenient dwelling house and all other convenient outhouses built since the year 1764; a large apple and peach orchard [cannot read an entire line] Isabel Thomas, at the rent of 10[cannot read] per annum, seven years of her lease yet unexpired; the other two in the possession and tenure of [cannot read first name] Walden [cannot read one word] and James Walden his son, tenants at will. Also 13 Negroes, variety of good household and kitchen furniture of all sorts, too tedious here to mention; flocks of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs; taken in execution by virtue of a decree of the Honourable General Court, against the said John Semple, for and on account of his the said Semple becoming security for Philip Rootes, late sheriff of the said county, for non-payment of the taxes due to his Majesty in the years 1765 and 1766. The sale will be continued till all are sold, by the SHERIFF. WILLIAMSBURG, October 4, 1770."

There is a manuscript at the Library of Virginia entitled, "History of the Semple Family of Scotland and America." It was written/compiled by Elizabeth Hawes Ryland of Richmond in 1950. The first half of the document contains portions of an interview from the summer of 1900 with Mrs. Adeline Semple Bradford of Springfield, Illinois, daughter of John Walker Semple and Lucy Robertson. There is also a copy of a manuscript made be a hired researcher from that time period about the Semple family in Scotland. This document takes the family back hundreds of years with no source citation. There is also a portion of Ryland's manuscript produced from her own research. Finally there are transcripts of a few letters, including one from "Eliza Pettus."

According to Ryland's manuscript, the graveyard at the Semple home in question,"Rose Mount," was plowed under and destroyed before 1900. No stones or their fragments remained at that time.

Social Security SS-5 Follow-up - It only took 15 days!

2008-08-05T15:35:00.004-04:00

This is a follow-up to a post that I made on July 19, 2008, "Social Security SS-5 Forms Available to Order Online"

In this recent post I talked about ordering an SS-5 form from the Social Security Administration, using their new online process. I submitted a test order on Saturday, July 19, 2008 and received it back on Saturday, August 3, 2008. It took only 15 days from start to finish, a much improved turnaround over past orders. My guess would be that the $27.00 price tag has reduced their total number of orders, helping to increase efficiency. With the SS-5 I received a written reply from a Freedom of Information Officer dated August 1, 2008. That means it only took ten business days to address my order.

I was a little disappointed with the copy quality and with the information that Annie Lawson Spain provided. She did not put her middle name nor those of her parents. I basically wasted $27.00 in this case but it was worth a shot. I will probably turn around and order the SS-5 of one of her siblings and hope for better luck next time!

Sad news, no time for blogging

2008-08-04T16:19:00.003-04:00

I apologize for the lack of posts lately but it is not without good reason. I recently found out that our best friend's have lost their baby, due only in a few days. The mother noticed that the baby was not moving and went to the ER while on vacation in Nags Head. The doctors could not find a heartbeat and informed her that the baby would be stillborn.

I have spent the last few days making funeral arrangements and setting up the burial. They do not have money for a burial plot so I asked for a favor from a great guy, Woody Harper, at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. He is going to allow them to place the baby in my crypt until they can make other arrangements in the next year or two - no charge. I thought that was very generous of him and I wanted to pass on the good word about Hollywood and Mr. Harper.

I will probably get back in the posting mood within the next 48 hours or so. Tomorrow is the day that she will deliver and I know that will be extremely difficult for everyone involved. My wife and I suffered several miscarriages before our first child so I know their pain. We never lost one this far along but I can imagine what they are going through.

I hate to write such a depressing post, and I know this entire subject is a little morbid, but death is part of genealogy. We look at death records for young children all of the time and do not think much of them. I scan past them, maybe pausing for a moment of reflection, but keep on going. This experience demonstrates for me the value of those little lost babies and shows that they were loved and not just a name on an interment card.

Sally Powers Curtis of Mecklenburg County, d. 1851

2008-07-29T22:44:00.002-04:00

According to Courtney Dunn's "Notes Concerning Elbethel Methodist Church, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, c. 1824-1930," housed at the Virginia Historical Society, Sally was a member of El Bethel in 1835.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, page 311:
"Know all men by these presents that we Robert A. Walker and Richard E. Walker are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of $1,200.00 to pay which we bind ourselves, our heirs +c. jointly and severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated this 21st day of July 1851. The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound Robert A. Walker who has this day qualified as executor of Sally Curtis, deceased shall faithfully discharge the duties of said executor according to law then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. R. A. Walker, Richard E. Walker.

Mecklenburg County Court July term 1851. This bond was acknowledged by the obligors thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste. R. B. Baptist, c."

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, page 315:
"In the name of God amen I Sally Curtis of the County of Mecklenburg and state of Virginia do make constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following. (To wit.) My will and desire is that all my just debts be punctually paid. 2nd I give and bequeath to my daughter in law, Faithy Curtis widow of my deceased son Chesley Curtis one half of all my money and property of any and every description including the present growing crop or money arising from it or anything which I may hereafter acquire to her and her heirs forever and the remaining half I wish equally divided between all my living children except Patsey Cumba whom I wish to have only two dollars of my entire estate and lastly I appoint my friend Robert A. Walker executor to this my last will and testament revoking all others. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 16th day of April 1851. Sally Curtis. In presence of Benjamin O. Johnson, George Bing, James M. Hawkins.

Mecklenburg County July Court 1851. The foregoing last will and testament of Sally Curtis, deceased was this day produced in Court and proven by the oaths of George Bing and James M. Hawkins two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Robert A. Walker the executor therein named who made oath thereto and together with Richard E. Walker his security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $1,200.00 conditioned according to law. Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form. Teste. R. B. Baptist, c."

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, page 415:
On October 28, 1851 an inventory and appraisal for the estate of Sally Curtis, deceased was recorded by Paschal H. Bowers, William Bowers and Joseph A. Lett. Her estate was valued at $484.20 and included many items such as a lot of dried fruit, 9 1/4 yards of flannel, a crop of 3,000 pounds of tobacco ($120.00), 53 pounds of long corn ($212.00), a garden of cabbage and many other kitchen, household, plantation items and foodstuffs. The report was returned to Court in April of 1852.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, page 415:
On October 28, 1851 an account of sales for the estate of Sally Curtis, deceased was recorded by R. A. Walker, executor. The sale brought a total of $385.96 with purchases being made by the following: W. Sulivan, R. A. Walker, James Hayes, Jr., C. Curtis, Thomas Winn, Thomas Coleman, G. Curtis, James Nash, Alexander Johnson, J. W. Edmondson, M. C. Gill, James M. Hawkins, James Johnson, Z. Curtis, Dr. Peter Lett, W. K. Johnson, Edward T. Cole, William Winn, Samuel S. Crow, James Stone and George L. Hayes. A large amount of butter, 42 pounds, was purchased between G. Curtis and James Nash. The report was returned to Court in April of 1852.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, page 601:
On February 19, 1853 Commissioner J. J. Daly accepted an account of transactions of R. A. Walker, executor of Sally Curtis, deceased. As of January 1, 1853 the estate's administrator held $284.04 in his hands which remained after all debts had been paid. Debts were paid to Rachel Andrews, Zach Curtis (listed once as an overseer), C. R. Edmondson, John H. Arnold for coffin ($5.00), Martha C. Cumbey for legacy ($2.00), Edmondson & Drumwright, James W. Edmondson, C. D. Whittle, Gilliam Chavis, taxes, money paid to revolutionary legatees of Zach Curtis for rent of land and hiring of Negroes supervisions in 1851 ($111.30) and Court fees, in all totalling $224.61. Money was also collected from three hogsheads of tobacco sold in Petersburg ($138.65) and from the previous account sales ($385.96). On April 18, 1853 the estate was considered settled and ordered to be recorded with the $284.04 remaining.

Out of Town, DNA Kit is Here!

2008-07-29T22:33:00.002-04:00

I am sorry that I have not been posting for a few days. I got called out of town on business so I have not been able to sit down and do much. I wanted to let you all know that the DNA test kit from Family Tree DNA has arrived! I will see my test subject on Saturday and will have more to post about it this weekend.

I will be going to South Carolina again tomorrow but only for the day. I should be back home and doing some catch-up postings on Thursday so bear with me until then.

Kevin

Privacy of Living Individuals in Family Trees

2008-07-23T18:38:00.002-04:00

I had a reader throw out a question about genealogy and privacy. They asked if I knew of any Virginia law that would prevent them from including a living person's information in their family tree, if the person in question objected. I would assume the intent was to publish this tree online or in print, in order to draw the objection.

I do not know of anything specifically, in a legal sense, but I would personally avoid publishing the information of anyone living. It is just not a good practice. Think of it like this...What is the first thing your credit card asks you when you call...what is your mother's maiden name. If you publish that information online, you are giving identity thieves a head start. Even obituaries tend to give away too much information in some cases.

Virginia law prevents the Department of Health from releasing any birth record for 100 years and any marriages, divorces or deaths for 50 years, unless you are an extremely close family member. I do not know of any other laws off the top of my head. I know you can get recent marriage licenses at county courthouses but they at least censor the Social Security number.

In general, if someone asks that you remove their information...I would. It is not worth pissing them off when they may have something you want down the road (photos, documents, etc.). I would personally be mad if someone published my kid's information online so I can agree with the person in question. As a matter of fact, I have never given anyone access to my personal Family Tree Maker file. I only share bits and pieces about deceased individuals, upon request. I keep the information of living individuals very private.

Now, if the person in question is the deceased child of a living person, that is a slightly different story. I would feel okay displaying that child's information but not their parent's info. The child probably had an obituary in the newspaper that gave all of their facts publicly anyway.

In short, use your judgment and respect the privacy of others. I would follow the "Golden Rule" of do unto others as you would have others do unto you. If you would not like a particular fact about you published, why would you publish the same thing for another person?

What do you all think? Hit the "# Comments" link below this post and let us know.

James Edward Caudle obituary, 1955

2008-07-23T10:49:00.004-04:00

A reader named Christopher submitted his second in a series of Caudle obituaries this morning. He previously submitted an obituary for his great-grandmother, Iona Caudle, and recently discovered the obituary for her husband.

Richmond News Leader, November 25, 1955:
"CAUDLE - died in Newtown, CT, Wed Nov 23 1955, James Edward Caudle. He is survived by one daughter Mrs. Marian Santora, one son Morris Caudle. Upon arrival from CT, remains will rest at Joseph W. Bliley Funeral Home, Third & Marshall. Internment in Riverview."

Thanks again for the submission and feel free to send more!

Click here to view his previous submission: Obituary for Mrs. Iona Andrews Caudle of Richmond, d. 1948

William Sullivant of Charlotte County, Virginia d. 1781

2008-07-22T15:34:00.002-04:00

Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 1, pp. 287-289:
An inventory and appraisement of the estate of William Sullivant was created on August 11, 1781. Most items were for basic household and plantation use. Of interest were two slaves and a parcel of books. William's total estate was valued at 70,555.5 pounds (whereas one pound was valued at 1/200 of a pound specie). The inventory was appraised by Thomas Collier, Richard Collins and John Collier and was recorded in court on January 7, 1782.

Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 1, pp. 356a-358:
An account current for the estate of William Sullivant was created by his administrator, Paul Carrington, on July 29, 1784. There are too many transactions to list but there were a few worth mentioning. Several people of interest were paid money including an Owen Sullivant, a Pleasant Sullivant and Leanna Sullivant's second husband, James Adams. The widow was allowed money for the making of four hats, there were also four pairs of shoes purchased for the children and at least one child attended Mr. Collier's school. Most of the money went towards the family's upkeep, such as paying people to carry their tobacco to market. The remaining funds were divided amongst the widow, who received one-third, and William's four sons namely Joel, Paul, W. P. and George Sullivant. Each son received a little over two pounds. The widow received almost five pounds. William's estate also received money from several sources. Of interest were cash received from Owen Sullivant for Margt. Hulet's estate and cash from the estate of Margt. Sullivant. It also appears that William had a 1/9 stake in some tobacco made in 1780. Perhaps this was part of an inheritance? This account current was witnessed by Joel Watkins, James Bouldin, Wm. Morton and was recorded in court on August 2, 1784. There were also a few Perrins mentioned in the accounting, namely George, Samuel and Josephus.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 8, pp. 146a-146:
On March 5, 1798, James Adams, second husband of Leanna Sullivant, and Joel, William Perrin and George Sullivant released Paul Carrington from further administrating of the estate of William Sullivant, deceased. At the time, William's son Paul was deceased and son George was living in South Carolina. The motion was recorded in court on January 7, 1799.

See also: Joel S. Sullivant of Charlotte County, Virginia d. 1840s

Library of Virginia Bible Collection

2008-07-22T08:36:00.005-04:00

I received an e-mail from a reader that I wanted to pass along and comment on further:

"...You might mention to your readers that you don't have to be a Lee, Houston or Jefferson to have your family Bible on record at the Library of Virginia. They don't make it clear on their website, but they will be happy to photograph or photocopy an individuals family Bible record entries to include in their archives. These are then available for genealogical research. It also makes a safe back up in case of damage to the original. I recently went through this process with my Johnson Ivey ancestors' Bible dating back to 1799 in Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia. Continued good luck with your project, Ed Miller"

Well, what Mr. Miller states is very true. The Library of Virginia does have a large collection of Bible copies for patrons to search. This collection can be found online and is totally free. I will put a link to it below.

If you want to submit a Bible, I think they prefer that you bring it in but you can probably submit copies through the mail. However, I think there are some authenticity and quality issues if you do not bring in the actual Bible.

If you take your Bible to the Library, you will probably have to leave it for a few days as there is always a backlog in the scanning department. I know that they will not accept donations of entire Bibles (meaning the actual, physical book), they just do not have the space. They will refer you to the Virginia Historical Society for such a donation.

If you go to the following website it should look like a search box for the archives and manuscript collection. The Library categorizes Bible records in this thread so search here for them. I would recommend that you search by last name, maybe county. Just searching the word Bible brings up too many, unrelated entries.

Check out the Library of Virginia Bible Collection Here!

DNA test kit is on the way!

2008-07-21T18:51:00.002-04:00

I have received confirmation that our DNA test kit is its way from Family Tree DNA. My representative confirmed that she sent it out this afternoon so I will let you all know when it arrives. I will be visiting my test subject on August 2, 2008 so hopefully the kit will arrive before that time.

If you have not been following our DNA testing project, you can read up on it at the link below:

DNA Project Details

More to come when the package arrives...

Peter Puryear d. 1849, Mecklenburg County

2008-07-21T10:46:00.002-04:00

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book 17, p. 106:
"In the name of God amen I Peter Puryear do make ordain + constitute this to be my last will and testament hereby cancelling and revoking all former wills by me made. First it is my will and desire that all my just debts to be paid and that all my estate real and personal be sold by my Executors, my Lands on a credit of one two and, three years, and my perishable estate on such terms as they may think proper. Secondly I give to my Daughters Patsy Keeton and Sally Willis, one hundred and fifty dollars each to them and their heirs forever. Thirdly I give to my Grandson William Roffe one hundred dollars to him and his heirs forever. Fourthly, all the rest and residue of my Estate I wish equally divided among all my children to wit. Hezekiah Puryear, Patsy Keeton, Sally Willis, Peggy Roffe and Eliza Wilde and I give it to them and their heirs forever. Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint my friends Alfred Boyd and Harrold Tucker Executor of this my last will and Testament. In testimony of all and singular I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 21st day of September 1842. Peter Puryear (seal). Singed, sealed + acknowledged to be his last will and testament before us: H. H. Burwell, Dam A. Daly, Edwd. R. Chambers.

Mecklenburg County November Court 1849. The foregoing last will and Testament of Peter Puryear decd. was this day produced in Court and proved by the oath of Edward R. Chambers a witness thereto and H. H. Burwell another subscribing witness thereto being a nonresident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. J. J. Daly being sworn says that he is well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Burwell and he verily believes the said signature to be in the own proper hand writing of the said therewith and thereupon the said will is O. R. And on the motion of Alfred Boyd who made oath thereto and together with Frans. W. Boyd and Henry C. Moss his securities entered into + acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $20,000 conditioned according to Law. Certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of said will in due form. Teste. Richard. B. Baptist Clk."

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book 17, pp. 124-125:
On December 19, 1849, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Peter Puryear, deceased was made by William G. Tarey, Peter Puryear and John Mackasey and was returned to court in January of 1850. Peter's estate included many household, kitchen and plantation items as well as livestock and foodstuffs. Noteworthy items included a two-horse wagon, two slave women named Vilet and Judith and a tract of land supposedly containing 1,200 acres valued at $4.00 per acre. Interestingly, whosoever ended-up with the slave woman Judith would be paid an estimated $100 for her upkeep, likely because of her age or health. In all, Peter Puryear's estate was valued at $5,162.93.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, pp. 165-167:
On December 20, 1849, an account of sales for property belonging to the estate of Peter Puryear, deceased was made by Alfred Boyd, executor and returned to court in August of 1850. The sale brought a total of $619.14 with $100 [sic.] being paid to W. E. Roffe for taking the old slave woman Judith. Purchases were made by the following individuals with notable items in parenthesis: George L. Hayes, Alfred Boyd, R. Tisdale, H. Puryear, W. E. Roffe, J. H. Dodson, L. B. Wiles, Tho. R. Moss, P. Puryear, W. Stewart, Thomas Williams, Jno. Daw, Jno. H. Burnett, Jno. Mackasey, Leroy Puryear, G. R. Puryear, J. Moody, Edwd. Davis, John Rogers, J. W. Butler and W. E. Roffe as trustee (Negro woman Vilet $225.00).

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, p. 271:
On October 11, 1850, Alfred Boyd, executor of Peter Puryear, deceased, made an accounting for the sale of the landed estate. Lots were sold on credit for one, two and three years, with a one-third payment due annually. One lot, containing 274 acres, was purchased by Heza. Puryear for $685.00. One lot, containing 257 acres, was purchased by Wm. G. Burton for $1079.40. Another lot, containing 238.5 acres, was purchased by L. B. Wiles for $536.62. Lastly, a lot containing 106.25 acres, was purchased by W. E. Roffe for $191.25. This report was presented in court on April 2, 1851.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, pp. 316-317:
In June of 1851, Alfred Boyd, executor of Peter Puryear, deceased, created and returned to court an accounts current for 1849-1851. Monies were paid on accounts with the following entities: Wm. E. Roffe, a bond with Joel T. Watkins adm., Pleasant Burnett, L. C. Puryear (chain carrier), Peter E. Lett (likely Peter Puryear's doctor), T. R. Moss (auctioneer?), Eliza J. Puryear (for boarding the surveyor), various clerk's tickets, Geo. Rogers, Danl. Meddagh (surveyor), B. B. Goode (chain carrier), Williams & Land, taxes, Boyd, Stone and Wimbush bonds and Commissioner Daly (reports). Wm. E. Roffe was also paid a legacy of $100, left to him in the will. Money was credited to the account for cash on hand, tobacco sold, items sold at the estate sale and debts owned to Peter Puryear's estate. In all, the debts equaled $1257.08 and were satisfied with the aforementioned credits. A total of $656.03 was due to the executor. As a note, on this particular document, Peter was designated as the Peter Puryear who lived on Allen's Creek.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #17, p. 436:
In May 1852, Alfred Boyd, executor of Peter Puryear, deceased, created and returned to court an accounts current for 1851-1852. Monies were paid on accounts with the following entities: interest, taxes, Thos. H. Land bond and account, clerk's tickets, Ro. A. McNeal, Walker & Co., Henry A. Wood and Commissioner Daly (reports). Money was credited to the account for payments received of the four individuals who purchased land on credit, totalling $830.75. In all, the debts equaled $830.75 and were satisfied with the aforementioned credits. A total of $35.66 was due to the executor. As a note, on this particular document, Peter was designated as the Peter Puryear who lived on Allen's Creek.

Mecklenburg County, Virginia Will Book #18, pp. 187-188:
In June of 1854, Alfred Boyd, executor of Peter Puryear, deceased, created and returned to court an accounts current for 1853-1854. Monies were paid on accounts with the following entities: L. B. Wiles (surveying land), taxes, alienation of land, Commissioner Daly (reports) and recording and papers. Money was credited to the account for interest, second and third payment of Hez. Puryear for land purchased, second land payments for Wm. G. Burton, Leroy B. Wiles and Wm. E. Roffe. In all, the debts equaled $1751.26 and were satisfied with the aforementioned credits. A total of $1645.75 remained in the hands of the executor. As a note, on this particular document, Peter was designated as the Peter Puryear who lived on Allen's Creek.

Chancery Causes, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Wiles, etc. v. exr. of Peter Puryear, dec., etc., index no. 1872-011, LVA:
There was a chancery suit brought in 1872, asking for a final division of Peter Puryear's estate. Apparently, the division was halted because no one knew if their sister, Sally Willis, died without issue. Apparently, her portion of the estate had been held in escrow until it was discovered she died without an heir. There was also some argument concerning Hezekiah Puryear and a piece of land. Perhaps it was this land being held in Sally's name for which Hezekiah held a bond. The cause was a little confusing but was easily settled. The remaining Puryear heirs each received a small portion of this inheritance and everyone was appeased.

Elmer Whitfield Stennett (April 30, 1879 - July 8, 1953)

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Elmer stood five feet, nine inches tall, weighed 140 pounds with a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was born in Rockbridge and spent time in Goochland, Buena Vista and Dinwiddie before moving his family to Richmond, following work on the railroad.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, July 11, 1953:
"STENNETT - Passed away at a local hospital, Wednesday night July 8, 1953, Elmer W. Stennett of 1851 Southlawn Ave. He is survived by one son, Rev. R. D. Stennett, of Emporia, Va.; one brother, Hayden Stennett, of Maidens, Va., and two grandsons, William W. and R. D. Stennett, Jr., also of Emporia, Va. Remains rest at the Sutherland-Brown Funeral Home, Boulevard and Kensington Avenue, where services will be held Saturday at 3 P. M. Interment Oakwood."

Social Security SS-5 Forms Available to Order Online

2008-07-19T16:54:00.007-04:00

I just found out that the Social Security Administration allows you to order a Social Security Number Application (Form SS-5) of a deceased person online. I used to order these quite frequently by mail but you can now do it with a credit card online. The cost has gone up a lot, now $27.00 each, but the information contained can be critical.

My main use of these documents has been to find people's middle names. I just order a record today for my great-great-aunt. I really have no great interest in her, especially not for $27.00, but I am hoping she put her father's full name on the application. Her father is my great-great-grandfather and I only know his name as William R. Lawson. I really want to find out his middle name so this is my best shot.

If this aunt's record does not pan out, William had one other child that lived long enough to get a Social Security number. Ordering these records is a bit of a crap shoot but it is worth taking the chance. I would love to find out William's middle name and these are probably my last shot. I am running out of records so you do what you got to do.

I will let you all know when I receive the document in the mail so you can get an idea of how long it takes. It used to take about two months. Let's see if doing it online makes things go faster. Below is a sample of an SS-5, in case you were curious about the document in question.

You can order you own records at the following link: Click Here for SS-5 Order Form