On 2 Nov 2000, at 16:31, [email protected] wrote: Would someone tell me what JEFF. stands for in the 1850 census index under counties. Thanks, Paul, Just a very wild guess. JEFFERSON!! <G> ==== SW_VA Mailing List ==== #1 When you have a new email address please UNSUBSCRIBE from the old BEFORE you lose it; and SUBCRIBE from the NEW address as soon as you get access to it. If you fail to do this please send the old and new address to: [email protected] and the Mailing List name -sysop ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB

Hi Guys! Sorry I forgot to include the url for my website in my previous post. It is noted below. To answer Lee's questions: Ah that it would be so easy!! :-) You will find NO records w/ the mention of the word Melungeon on them. No census, no marriage, no birth nor death. What you may find is one of your ancestors listed as mulatto or perhaps even black. But even that is difficult for most. I have NEVER found one of my ancestors so listed. Yet they carried one of the common Melungeon surnames, lived in the areas commonly known to be where Melungeons lived, and I have Familial Mediterranean Fever an inherited illness that I believe came through this ancestry. One suspects Melungeon if there is a Indian grandmother 'myth' which is unprovable or simply if they are hard if not impossible to find on any records, and if they did indeed look like they had NA or other exotic ancestry or if the family story says that they are Portuguese. And the family moved around a lot, were secretive about their family backgrounds, had an adoption story or an Indian kidnapping story, or Grandpa arrived over the mountain w/ his shotgun and said all his family was dead. There are certain physical characteristics that Melungeon descendants MAY have which also can provide a clue to this ancestry and sometimes, it is simply a feeling of coming home and knowing after centuries of hiding that you are home. Melungeon research is the most difficult thing I have ever seen genealogically speaking. My grandfather Will Collins is gone sometime around 1848-1850. I know only that abt him. Have been searching records for 25+ yrs for more info on him to no avail. Dr Kennedy told me that he had never known a COLLINS who came from the Wise, Va area who was not a Melungeon and my Will's dtr was b. there. I will be glad to send you free and via e-mail my packet on the Melungeons if you would like. I have a lot of URLs for searching specific names there. Nancy S Sparks Genealogy: http://SparksGenealogy.net THE MELUNGEON HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT NETWORK: http://www.melungeonhealth.org

Kentucky Co, VA, was formed in 1776 from the "soon to become extinct" Fincastle County. In 1780, Kentucky Co itself became extinct when it was divided into three parts forming Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln Counties. In 1785, Nelson Co was formed from Jefferson Co. In 1786, Madison and Mercer Counties were formed from Lincoln Co, AND Bourbon Co was formed from Fayette Co. In 1789, Mason Co was formed from Bourbon Co AND Woodford Co was formed from Fayette Co. There were political maneuverings and frequent proposals to split this region out from Virginia's control. On 18 December 1789, the General Assembly of Virginia passed an act to allow Kentucky to apply for statehood, and on 1 Jun 1792, Kentucky's nine counties became a state. Virginia "Re-uses" County Names Of these nine "original" Kentucky Counties, six had their names re-used by Virginia in the formation of new counties: Fayette: formed in 1831, became part of WV in 1863. Jefferson: formed in 1801, became part of WV in 1863. Madison: formed in 1792 from Culpeper Co. Mason: formed in 1776, became part of WV in 1863. Mercer: formed in 1837, became part of WV in 1863. Nelson: formed in 1807 from Amherst Co. Also, Lincoln County's name was re-used, but by WV in 1867. ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2000 4:31 PM Subject: Counties in Va.: > Would someone tell me what JEFF. stands for in the 1850 census index under > counties. > Thanks, Paul > > > ==== SW_VA Mailing List ==== > #1 When you have a new email address please UNSUBSCRIBE from the > old BEFORE you lose it; and SUBCRIBE from the NEW address as soon > as you get access to it. If you fail to do this please send the > old and new address to: [email protected] and the Mailing List name > -sysop > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB >

Would someone tell me what JEFF. stands for in the 1850 census index under counties. Thanks, Paul

Some Questions: Do the melungeons have marriage, birth and death records separate from the county and state records in the states mentioned? If not, how would one go about searching their Melungeon ancestory? Does each county and each state have separate records for the Melungeons? Did the Melungeons keep records before the white man discoverd them? How do we access these records? Or, is it just a list of names of people who have lived in the general area where Melungeons were supposed to have lived? Thanks. G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va..

Hi Guys! For the newbies to the list, and especially if you have a hard to find grandparent, you might want to take a look into the Melungeons. This fascinating group of people were found in the Appalachian Mt ranges of NC/VA/KY/TN/WV as early as 1564 by both English and Spanish explorers. We believe that they have a Mediterranean ancestry. The generally seem to pop up out of thin air, are hard to find, may have a Native American grandmother 'myth' which is unprovable and may look NA. Take a look at my medical website noted below. Descendants may inherit one or more of 5 different Mediterranean illnesses. Off of the first paragraph of the medical page, I have a brief overview on the Melungeons themselves. If you are interested, I can send you more GENERAL info on the Melungeons including a common surname list, and URLs/books for research. This is FREE and via e-mail. Just let me know if you'd like this by posting me directly. Nancy S

I need to find death records for my great grandparents, Ira and Josephine Hill. For a man with only 7 letters in his first and last names together, Ira seemed to be boggled more than most. In their marriage record in Letcher Co., KY, he is listed as Ira Hall. He and Josephine are listed correctly in the 1900 Letcher Co census. In the 1910 Wise co., VA census, he is listed as Ira Kill, still with wife, Josephine and several children. By 1920, he is back in Letcher Co., KY living with his son. Therefore, I suspect Josephine died between 1910 and 1920. Since Kentucky has kept death records since 1911, and neither are listed, can someone tell me how I can get a Virginia record, probably Wise Co.? Or is anyone available to do lookups? I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance. ___________________________________________________________________________ Visit http://www.visto.com/info, your free web-based communications center. Visto.com. Life on the Dot.

I am new to the list, and thought I'd drop a line about my SMITHs, of which I am researching two different (so far) lines in SW VA. My mother was a SMITH before she married, dau. of Luther Alexander and Lillie Alberta (RAKES) SMITH. His parents were Byrd and Mary Elizabeth (DILLION) SMITH. Byrd's parents were Creed and Mary (RADFORD) SMITH. Creed's parents were John (groan) and Rosanner (BALF/BOLF/BAULPH, etc.) SMITH. The latter couple married in January, 1807, in Franklin Co., VA, and the others lived in that area all their lives. My other SMITH line is that of my mother-in-law, Bobbie Helen SMITH. Her parents were Robert Emil and Nettye Arizona (WILLIAMS) SMITH. Robert's parents were Joseph M. and Rebecca (?) Jane (ROBINETTE) SMITH, of Wise Co, VA. Joseph was b. 1835 in KY, and I think his parents were Thomas Grayson and Mary "Polly" (COX) SMITH, who m. 12 Feb. 1834 in Barren Co., KY. Joseph returned to VA to marry and raise a family, supposedly after participating in the Civil War. If any of this strikes a cord with you, please get back to me and we'll swap data. Carolyn

My ancestor Whitney Sheffield ran Buchannon's mill. Where is this mill and does anyone have a picture of this? He was born in 1803 and moved to Wash. County VA about 1840. His son John Sheffield was born in Carter County, TN about 1839 and the next child was born in Wash. County. Whitney was born in VA, probally the son of Isaac Shuffle who is listed on the 1820 Wash. County VA census. Thanks Paul Parker

Falls Mills, is in Virginia, but near the WV border Jeffersonville is in Virginia but is now called Tazewell [it is the county seat of Tazewell County] Whitens Mill is in Virginia as well. All of the above are in Tazewell County.... I don't recognize the other locations.

I am new to this list and needs some real help. Until yesterday I was wondering if my great grandmother was an alien from Mars or some unknown galaxy. Seriously I knew she was but from documentation I have received she was born in four different states and in three decades. New found information had my great grandmother ELLEN F. FORD being born May 1856 in Virginia. Now that I know she didn't just pop into this world or come on a flying saucer I am looking for information on her family, parents, and siblings. If you have Ford info please check for her. Also I need a CENSUS look up for 1860 and 1870. She married in April 1872 in Claiborne County, Tennessee. Any help is greatly appreciated. If you look for her in census records you have access to please let me know where you looked so I will know at least where she is not at in Virginia. Thanks you for you help. Patricia

I am new to the list and these are the surnames that I am researching in Southwest Virginia: ASBURY, BOLING, GARRISON, GOSE, LITZ, SMITH, SPRACHER, and YOUNG. Kathryn (YOUNG) TURLEY

I need help putting the following towns in the proper state. Falls Mills about 1875 Jeffersonville 1855 Johnson Cross Roads 1899 Whitten's Mills 1885 Falls Mills 1885 North Fork of Clinch 1890 Thanks for your help in advance. David Crockett Edwards, Wa. State [email protected] Re-searching, EDWARDS, KEETER, LEWIS, FLACK CROCKETT, MORTON, MOORE, MONTGOMERY, PERRY, STEEL, THOMPSON, YOUNG

It sounds to me as if this family *might* have been of Melungeon ancestry. Lambert is not a common surname among the Melungeons, but Lee C0., VA is one of the counties where they are found. I can send you some GENERAL info on the Melungeons if you would like it. It is FREE and via e-mail. Pls. post to me directly. And please take a look at my medical website noted below. Melungeon descendants may inherit one or more of 5 different Mediterranean illnesses. Nancy S THE MELUNGEON HEALTH EDUCATION AND SUPPORT NETWORK: http://www.melungeonhealth.org

I have a brickwall that I am hoping someone might be able to help me out with. I am seeking info on the parents and family of William M. Lambert. He was born Abt. 1878 in Lee Co., VA and died about 1935 in Lee Co., VA. On 3-12-1902 in Lee Co., VA he married Dora Victoria Calton. According to marriage record Wm. M. was the son of William and Eliza Lambert. Eliza would have been a second marriage as she was found in the 1880 Lee County, VA Census as head of household, age 38, Born VA with stepsons Robert S., Thomas J., and Browning all born in VA (their mother born in TN) as well as her son William aged 1. I know you have all heard this before -- supposedly he was of cherokee descent, and I have heard they were related to the Lamberts in Backwater or Blackwater. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much. Connie --------------------------------- Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Messenger - Talk while you surf! It's FREE.

Volks, " His nephew, Fayette Vanhook Dye, was preacher at a Northern Church around Greendale." Someone has ask about a VANHOOK . -eddie

not sure what to ask but we have always been told our grandfather was injured in a coal mining accident. the family lived in Clintwood, Va. Is there any source to find out about accidents? he died in 1934 so would be before that but i don't know how long before that, maybe a year or two. sorry to be so vague...any thoughts? thanks marilyn deloach elliott duluth mn

Not much help here but according to the Emory Hamilton information and the Draper Manuscript, Benjamin Nicholson, a nephew of my ancestor William Nicholson of the Orange/Culpepper/Madison County area, left Orange County and settled on the Clinch River in 1772 in the vicinity of Gray's Island in Scott County. His land was referred to as "Nicholson Fort." It was located just a few miles north of Fort Blackmore. He is listed with the troops at Fort Blackmore in 1777. Benjamin married Jemima Darnell. Cheers from the Eastern Shores of the Chesapeake Bay, Mike -----Original Message----- From: Pat Elder <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 10:59 AM Subject: Fort Blackmore >Is anyone researching the original settlers of Fort Blackmore? I have a copy >of Emory Hamilton's wonderful written work on the fort and a few other >resources (Kegley and personal Carter family papers) but information is >rare. My main interest is in establishing the names and families of the >persons who either helped build the fort and/or were the first to live >there. Many of the original settlers went on to what is now Nashville with >Donelson by boat or overland with Robertson. > >Thanks! > >Best wishes, >Pat Elder >"I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better >for it." Abraham Lincoln > >http://ContinuityPress.com - Specializing in Melungeon, >Appalachian/Cumberland, Jackson County Tennessee, and Civil War >Genealogy-and-History Books > > >==== SW_VA Mailing List ==== >#8 Anyone interested and researching SW VA and Appalachian history might >be interested in the Fincastle History Forum list. Contact Edgar at > [email protected] for a copy of the rules. > >============================== >Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: >Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. >http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com >

Seeking info on Noah Brown, b cir 1903 to William Lindsay Brown and Nancy (Nannie) Hill Brown of Smyth Co. Noah married Nannie Hunnell 12 Jan 1921 in Tazewell Co Va. Nannie died late 1920s in childbirth and is buried in a church cemetery in the Liberty/Witten Valley area of Tazewell Co. Known children of Noah and Nannie were Clarence Brown, Albert Brown, Noah Brown, Leonard Brown, and Louise Brown. Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks. ~Linda Genealogy - Always looking for HUNNELL , CRUEY , PUCKETT , LAMBERT , HARRIS , TATUM , & STEEL(E) in SW Va .

Looking for information on the family of Henry Copenhaver and Sarah Betts. She was born c1789 in Smyth County, VA, and died 1859 in Smyth County, VA. She married William BABER in 1837. Sarah's parents were John BETTS and Nancy unknown. Children of Henry COPENHAVER and Sarah BETTS were: William COPENHAVER, bc. 1828 Henry COPENHAVER, b.1831, Smyth County, Virginia; d. 1912, Roane County, TN Nancy Jane COPENHAVER, b.1837, Smyth County, Virginia; d. 1858, Smyth County, VA In 1855, Henry COPENHAVER b1831 married Minerva J. WOLFE b1835. She was the daughter of Solomon WOLFE and Mary COWDEN. Minerva died in 1892 in VA. Children of Henry COPENHAVER and Minerva WOLFE (all born in Smyth Co) were: William H. COPENHAVER, b.1856 m. Nan UNKNOWN. Nancy Jane COPENHAVER, b.1858 Mary Elizabeth COPENHAVER, bc.1859 Ellen Elizie COPENHAVER, b.1861 m. Wenston ALLEN, c.1889; bc.1857 James Dalton COPENHAVER, b.1864 d.1942, Chattanooga, TN, m Laura Alice COPENHAVER, 1894 b.1870, Wythe Co VA Victoria B. COPENHAVER, b. 1866 m. Will MURRAY Birdie B. COPENHAVER, b.1868 m. Floyd KING Preston Lee COPENHAVER, b.1872 m. Alice DAVIS, c.1902; bc.1876 John M. COPENHAVER, b.1874 m. Daisy BUTNER, c.1898; bc.1881 Dora R. COPENHAVER, b.1875 m. William Frank WYRICK; bc.1876 Dempse COPENHAVER, b.1879 m. Ida Farris WELLS, bc.1908; bc.1892, TN. Henry and several of his children also lived in Roane County, TN. J.D. Copenhaver moved his family to South Pittsburgh then Chattanooga, TN. Nancy Jane COPENHAVER b1837 married Samuel REEDY September 10, 1855 in Grayson County, Virginia. He was born March 12, 1836 in Ashe County, North Carolina, and died 1904 in Buchanan County, Virginia. Children of Nancy Jane and Samuel REEDY were: Henry Franklin REEDY, b1856 Smyth County, VA Isaac Jackson REEDY, b and d1858 Smyth County, VA Lisa Delgado [email protected]