The North Branch flows from extreme Western Maryland along the WV border. The South Branch joins the North Branch of the Potomac River, known as the Potomac River, at what is called North Branch, MD, or east of Green Spring, WV. Farther east at Harpers Ferry, the Shenadorah River joins the Potomac. I understand that many of our ancestors crossed the Potomac River, just west of where the Shenadorah intersects on the Great Wagon Trail at Harper's Ferry in going south and west. The river had this point had a solid rock bottom. This is from memory. If anyone knows different, let me know. I lived about 6 miles from the South Branch and 12 miles from the North Branch of the Potomac on the West Virginia side. Bill Pyles -----Original Message----- From: pyle@airmail.net [SMTP:pyle@airmail.net] Sent: Saturday, August 30, 1997 5:07 PM To: PYLE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: South Branch Sometime ago somebody on the list asked what "South Branch" of the river referred to in Va/WV. I meant to post this and somehow didn't get around to it then. I was reminded of it when I posted a while ago about John PILES and Hampshire co. Sara **Above Harpers Ferry, WVa. the the headwaters of the Potomac break into >two branches - North and South. The North Branch of the Potomac forms the WV/MD border above this point, which is just up-river from South Branch, WV, in Hampshire County. The South Branch flows roughly south-north through Pendleton County where it is called, starting in the west: North Fork [of the South Branch]--through Circleville and Riverton South Branch--through Franklin South Fork [of South Branch]--through Sugar Grove and Brandywine And don't forget, if the record states a plat was above such-and-such it lies SOUTH of that location--up the river.