This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bowling, Wilson, Stiff, Maddox Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/gBB.2ACI/2009.1 Message Board Post: Kentucky did not become a state until 1792. The entire area prior to that had been claim by the state of Virginia as part of Augusta Co., Virginia. In 1776 the Kentucky area was taken away from Fincastle County, Virgfinia and became Kentucky County, Virginia. In 1780 Kentucky County was divided into three counties; Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln. Perhaps you might check early records of Agusta Co., Va., plus the others I mentioned. I am in search of my Bowling ancestors. The earliest I know of is Joseph Bowling (all spellings) who married Rebecca Maddox in 1796 in Franklin Co., Virginia. I'm trying to locate his parents. Do you have any information on Alexander's parents? My second great grandfather was William Bowling married to Julia B. Stiff. They lived in Bedford Co., Virginia. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.