http://vhs3.vahistorical.org/star/x.starmarc.html http://www.vahistorical.org/research/library_faq.htm http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/video/tim-mcgraw/1291035/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: jguild@vahistorical.org To: mail@vgs.org Sent: 2/18/2011 2:39:01 P.M. Eastern Standard Time Subj: Tim McGraw Uses Virginia Historical Society Genealogy Resources to Trace Family History Frances Pollard Chief Librarian County music singer Tim McGraw recently investigated his Virginia roots using manuscripts at the Virginia Historical Society. The trail led to a family association with George Washington. The NBC TV show “Who Do You Think You Are” featuring Tim McGraw aired last Friday night (February 11). Did you see Tim stop by the Virginia Historical Society to trace his genealogy? If not, you can watch the full episode here. Tim was researching his ancestors and traced his line back to Isaac Chrisman who lived in the Clinch River area of Virginia by 1772. Isaac is mentioned in one of our manuscripts, an account of frontier life by John Redd. This trail led to another ancestor, Jost Hite, and the discovery that George Washington knew the Hite family and stayed with them when he traveled with a surveying party through the Shenandoah Valley in 1748. As Tim found out, many genealogical roads lead back to Virginia. Every year VHS librarians help thousands of people utilize our collections to research their family history. The VHS library has large collections of genealogical files that families have donated since the organization was founded in 1831. We have charts and maps, Bible records, private family papers including letters and journals, county and business histories, city directories, and cemetery indexes. You can begin your genealogy research from home by using the VHS online catalog. This will allow you to search for descriptions of items based on a keyword, or by subject, author, title, or year. These frequently asked questions might help you get your search started. If you find something that looks promising, you can visit the VHS to see the material. You may email the VHS library at reference@vahistorical.org if you have questions about items in the collection. I can’t guarantee that you will find out that George Washington knew your ancestors like Tim did, but I can assure you that the reference staff will be happy to help guide you through our collections and advise you on how to proceed. Tim McGraw was able to use the Virginia Historical Society’s collection to discover a connection with the past. I hope that the VHS can help you explore your family history and make that connection. Sincerely, Frances Pollard Chief Librarian Virginia Historical Society 428 North Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220 | Mail: P.O. Box 7311, Richmond, VA 23221-0311 | Phone: 804.358.4901 Hours | Directions | Contact us | Blog | Tell a friend | Unsubscribe --