This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Jd.2ADE/3240.3401.3467.1 Message Board Post: Greetings Mr. Phinazee Cunningham, According to some research and largely oral traditions within my family, the Phinazee family is one that is distinct from the Phinizy clan. We believe that the first American Phinizy named Ferdinand emmigrated from Parma, Italy in 1778. He settled in the Augusta, GA area and fought with the French for the colonies in the Revolutionary War. More info is available at my cousin's website: http://www.phinizy.net Several years ago, I skimmed through a geneological study of the Phinazee family. I cannot recall too many details. This book was in The University of Georgia archives of the main library if you're interested in reading this as well. Although this is speculative, it is likely that Phinizy is a variant of the Italian name: "Finizi", and Phinazee is a variant of the Irish name: "Finnessey". Regards, William Wright Phinizy III