Dear Harris-Hunters Based on the experienced judgment of my main doctor, I did not undergo the planned surgery--just continuing chemotherapy, which has side-effects of course.  Some lousy days! Therefore, I have resubscribed to Harris-Hunters.  Thanks for ALL the lovely cards which I got via the postal service - many from subscribers from Virginia and from North Carolina (of course, some of our early Harrises are found in those colonial records.) Speaking of whom - Virginia - I am assuming you are using the Library of Virginia website to track Virginia land patents (even through the early 21st century) for Harrises and their associates.  The oldest land patents will be listed at the very end.  On the index of the Library of Virginia website, click down to the L list - and find Land Patents - the entry which includes *Northern Neck land records*  Enter the surnames you seek and go to the end of the long list for Harrises to find the OLDEST Virginia land patents. Here is a *people-finder* which I use frequently.  Most all VA land patents mention a watercourse (that is how tobacco got shipped out).  The eight volumes of Cavaliers and Pioneers have indexes of the watercourses (creeks, rivers, branches, fords, etc.) and if you can trace the neighbors via these watercourses, you may find the families with whom the Harrises intermarried.  And many of whom migrated when our Harrises migrated. For those who are descended from William Harris and his wife Temperance Overton, also look up the Overtons.  The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has a book on the Overtons in Virginia, and you may find some clues in there.  Just check out the facts, however.  Many family histories are being filmed, so search for a film of your family histories. North Carolina - The University of North Carolina has digitized the 20 plus volumes of North Carolina Colonial and State Papers  and there is a rough index.  In my studies of colonial Granville Co., NC, I find many Harrises are listed.  In the early days, Granville Co., I am told by NC genealogical experts, Granville Co. comprised the top half of North Carolina.  Furthermore, since the barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina prevent easy entry by boat from the Atlantic, many early settlers in North Carolina came from Virginia.  (quote from Helen Leary, expert genealogist from North Carolina.) Margaret M Hofmann [note spelling of surname]has compiled about four-five volumes of these colonial land grants of North Carolina.  The books are well indexed. Be sure to check with your librarian about interlibrary loan.  You may even be able to borrow from the Library of Congress (check on that) which has a LARGE genealogical collection. A friend of mind with a degree in Library Science tells her audience that most libraries (and even community colleges) agree to ILL their books.  Years ago, I was surprised to learn that a book I borrowed on ILL came from a community college in North Carolina, far from my home in California. Again, thanks for all the lovely cards I got, and for your best wishes.  May those of you in areas which are having terrible weather and storms and electric outages soon see better days. Best wishes to all Harris-Hunters--and their in-laws and their cousins, et al. Evelyn W. Wallace