Janet, there is a motel in Jonesville, (Lee Co) VA called the Jonesville Motor Lodge, you might want to consider staying there, as it is probably the handiest location for the area you'll be looking in. I don't think Hancock Co even has a hotel. They did have a couple of rooms over a store front that they used for a hotel, but I'm not sure if they still use them. Cumberland Gap, TN (and nearby Middlesboro, KY), about 30 miles or so to the west in Claiborne Co, has some great accommodations. Beautiful drive to Sneedville or Jonesville , especially this time of year, but make sure you have plenty of gas! Hancock Co doesn't have too many recources as far as written records go, but if you can make a connection with a "cousin", you can hit a goldmine. If you strike up a conversation with anyone, ask if they are familier with your surnames, many of the families have been in the area a long time and may know your kin. I'll write you privately and give you the phone number of a very good family researcher in Sneedville. I'm not sure if she will be able to help you much, but she may be able to point you in the right direction as far as where to search. I'm not sure about local recources in Lee Co, but I believe Claiborne Co has a very good historical society, though I've never been there myself. There are many cemetaries in Hancock, and many that are overgrown and forgotten. Some cemetaries have graves with markers, but no names on them. There are some cemetary listings in one of the "Hancock Co and it's People" books. I believe they have the book at the Courthouse in Sneedville, and will let you look through it. There is an indexed surname listing, so maybe that will help. Mulberry Gap Baptist has a beautiful graveyard and is well kept. It's not too hard to find if you have a map (which you should definately have!). Good luck, Kevin ----- Original Message ----- From: Janet Zengel Messer <jzm@atlantic.net> To: <TNHANCOC-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 15, 2001 10:12 PM Subject: [TNHANCOC] Trip to Hancock County > My sister and I will be in the Hancock/Claiborne County area next week to > do some family tree research. We will be researching the BISHOP, HOPKINS, > CLOUSE, and COLE families, all of whom arrived in this area in the early > 1800s. I would greatly appreciate any information any lister can provide > in response to the following questions: > > (1) Any suggestions for a good place to stay that would provide easy > access to Hancock and Claiborne Counties, TN, as well as Lee County, VA? > > (2) What local resources should we be sure to take advantage of? (I have > been advised of the Hancock County Historical and Genealogy Society - are > there any other places we should check out?) > > (3) Any suggestions for old cemeteries to check out? I believe the > various family branches were pretty much scattered around the county, > although most were listed in the 33rd Subdivision in the 1850 census, and > in Mulberry Gap and Sumpter Townships in the 1860 census. I have read that > one of my ancestors was buried in the Mulberry Gap Baptist Meeting House > Cemetery. Is anyone familiar with this cemetery? > > Thanks! > > Best regards, > Janet Messer > Micanopy Florida >