Carolyn, I just got home from a four dfay trip into Georgia. I want, first, to extend congratulations to you and your on the birth of the grandchild. How very nice, and after all the hopes and dreams of so many years! I find that grandchildren are a womderful addition to a family at any age, but the older the better. There is new life, new hopes, new possibilities, but most of all a new love to be given and received. You will understand this so mych better next Christmas. Our newest grandbaby had his first Christmas when he knew what was involved. Did he cut a shine on Christmas day. You will know and I rejoice for you and yours. What a great way to begin a new year. Also, thanks for the Valentine papers. My, how many people will thank you and the Ancestry people for this boon to Virginia research in genealogy. I have used it many times and it is most valuable. Thanks for helping to get this done. One thing to think about. Some years ago I learned of some documents at the American Culture Center in Williamsburg, VA. These are the records of various Virginia planters and merchanges in Glasgow and elsewhere in Great Britain before and after the Revolution. I have only corresponded about them, but an article I read told that various planters had purchased many itmes from English merchants with loans, guarantees, agreements, etc., at stores these mercnahts had established in VA. Then the war came, and [surely we know only a few of the Americans and none of our own ancestors would do it] some of those in debt to English merchants tried to refuse payment. This lead to various squabbles between the new American government and the British. It was finallly decided that the bills had to be paid. So, there were firms in Engoland that sued in American courts for recovery of debts. These records were noted some years ago and became available in microfilm and at the center in Williamsburg. I wanted to go there and study these documents, but the time has not come avaiable, and the expense of staying at Williamsburg is prohibitive. So, I have not little on it. When I was in Goochland, for example, going through various records, I found numerous cases between this American plantation owner, large and small, and this British firm. If such recoeds could be searched, they would tell of the purchases, the places where the purchases were made, the kind of household goods, farming tool, etc., were purchased. From your primary interest. ot seems this would be a great blessing to you and your research. I do not know how to proceed on it, but you may well know or how to find someone who will. I will be willing to help if I can learn how. It may not be possible to acdcess any of this material, but it just might. The Valentince papers give us hope. Thanks again, and congratulations. Happy hunting in the new year. William Woodson ----- Original Message ----- From: Carolyn McDaniel <cmacdee@centurytel.net> To: <AMXROADS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2001 7:37 PM Subject: [AMXROADS] Birthdays, Babies, and Valentines > Dear Cousins! > Today is my birthday, and don't ask! I'm at the age when I don't want to admit to how many. Too many fingers to hold up and so many candles the cake would fry! I was feeling pretty down in the dumps this morning, but my son-in-law Daniel called this morning to announce the early arrival of my Granddaughter -- tentatively Victoria -- but I have suggested Victoria Carolyn instead. Daniel said his brother Ron suggested Ronald. I don't know what that means, but probably that they're not going to name her Victoria Carolyn. > This is a small miracle in our family. Andrea and Dan have been married 18 years, (longer than both of my failed marriages) and had finally consulted a fertility specialist in order to conceive. Our baby was supposed to be due the 16th of January, after I arrived in Maryland! I said she's showing my characteristics already -- she arrived when she decided it was right. I am so elated. What a blessed gift. > The next news is the addition of the Edward Pleasants Valentine Papers at Ancestry.com. I suggested this work several years ago after I first subscribed to Ancestry, and also suggested that if they indeed published them, they should award me copies of the 4 volumes work. (They haven't yet!) This is an indispensible tool for the Virginia researcher. Mr. Valentine copied records for 34 core Virginia families: Allen, Bacon, Ballard, Batchelder, Blouet, Brassieur, Cary, Crenshaw, Dabney, Exum, Ferris, Fontaine, Gray, Hardy, Isham, Jordan, Langston, Lyddall, Mann, Mosby, Palmer, Pasteur, Pleasants, Povall, Randolph, Satterwhite, Scott, Smith, Valentine, Waddy, Watts, Winston, Womack, and Woodson. In providing the records for these families Mr. Valentine's research also gives records pertaining to a variety of allied families and neighbors. > The Virginia family I believe is MY Smith family is Mr. Valentine's Smith family which he researched so diligently until his early death in 1908. His collection was published posthumously, to the very great benefit of untold descendants of these families. I disagree with Mr. Valentine's conclusions regarding Francis Smith's family, but have not yet completed the research. I hope to publish a paper on this research, for this family is at the heart and soul of the Virginia Frontier families. Francis Smith's daughter Susanna married William Preston, whose position, influence, and family touched literally every early Frontier Virginia settler from the mid-1700's to the end of the century. In turn, their descendants became judges, governors, state and federal office holders into the 20th century. Your Virginia (and beyond!) research will be greatly enhanced through examining Mr. Valentine's massive, (nearly 3000 pages, including the index,) brilliant work. > (You may need to copy and then paste this address) > http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.htm?t=2&c=49&co=0&y=0&dbid=60 58 > > Love, Your Cousin, Carolyn > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >