Virginia, thanks so much for sharing and for your lovely comments about Virginians - I've lived in this wonderful state all my life - 68 years, and the friendliness of the people still amazes me. Jackie Virginia Hutson wrote: > Everyone, > First, let me thank everyone who so willingly helped me get information > in order for my research trip to Virginia. I was able to get a great deal > of information without wasting any time looking for places, or wondering > what was there. I firmly believe that genealogists are some of the most > helpful, giving people in the world. > > RANKING OF RESEARCH SITES > I'm certainly not the world's greatest researcher, but here are the sites > I found to be the best for my research. > 1. The Library of Virginia in Richmond has to rank #1. How I wish I lived > within driving distance of that library. Not only is there a great deal of > information, but the staff is friendly and extremely helpful. > (Incidently, it has a nice snack area with good food.) > 2. The Augusta County Courthouse was fantastic. It runs a close second > to the LVA. The materials are accessible; the staff is friendly and most > helpful. I was able to find family documents that I never dreamed of finding. > I wish I had had more time there. > 3. The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society in Harrisonburg is #3 > with me. It is not really a big research center, but they have a great > deal of genealogical information which is easily accessible. A researcher > is pretty much on his or her own there, but he or she has access to > everything they have. > 4. Bridgewater College genealogical holdings are good. In addition, the > archivist, is extremely helpful. There is a separate room there completely > full of material on the Brethren. The staff was very kind and helpful, also. > Obviously, there were many sites I did not have time to visit, but the > above were quite good. > > RANKING ACCOMMODATIONS > 1. We stayed in Harrisonburg, as many of you had suggested. We stayed at > the Days Inn. I can recommend it to anyone. The location was perfect, > right on the interstate; the rooms were very nice; the place was > immaculate; the staff was helpful and friendly, and the price was good. My > husband and I got a "September Days" discount card from Days Inn > headquarters for senior citizens several months ago. Consequently, we got a > good discount on our room, and we went in the "off season," so the prices > were lower. If and when I go back to that area, I will certainly stay in > the Days Inn there. > 2. We ate many of our meals in the Cracker Barrel Restaurant. Man, their > food is good. Not only that, but I was able to buy the grandchildren gifts > from their "porch." The items are often unique and as inexpensive as a > person could hope to find. > > One last comment on Virginians and people in the Shenandoah Valley.. I > always thought Texans were the most friendly people in the United States, > and Texans have a reputation for friendliness, but I can tell you that > never in my travels anywhere have I found more friendly, helpful people > than I did in Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. I am most proud to say > that my ancestors came from that region. > Virginia Long Hutson > in Lufkin, Texas > > ==== SHENANDOAH Mailing List ==== > Your support of RootsWeb helps make SHENANDOAH-L possible. > RootsWeb Gen. Data Coop. Box 6798 Frazier Park, CA 93222 > http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html