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/Jh.2ADI/104.563.571 Message Board Post: This may be a little late for reply, but I just read your message about the Barcus/Barkhurst name. I am related to the Barcuses also. My great-great-great grandfather was William Barkhurst who came from Maryland to Ohio about 1800. However, he died en route. His family continued on in the wagon train and settled in eastern Ohio near Wheeling, WV. He had five sons whom I am told shortened the name to "Barcus." One of these sons is my ancestor -- Jesse Barkhurst/Barcus. The original name was DeBarresuse and they were originally from Normandy and came to Britain with the army of William the Conqueror. In the time of Henry V (1413-23) the name was anglicized to DeBarcus. Later the prefix was dropped during the civil war between King Charles and Parliament (1644) by a London merchant, Sir John Barcus.