Paul, this has gone in all directions from my request that access be allowed to the Surry loose papers until I'm not sure it is related. All I asked is that the papers be made available to someone such as Bunny & Steve if they will photo & put on internet free of charge. For that I was & will still be glad to contribute (modest amount) to them directly for their expenses and for the time they put in. This has now snowballed into a full blown suggested project of organizing, publishing with every conceivable complicated method & process-- a for-profit deal that the public is then expected to buy-- the product they financed to get done. Any minute I'm expecting the organization to be incorporated with shares offered. The Peter Principle is becoming a possiblity. Simple: one sheet at a time as taken from the box, no indexing, no organization; I will be able to organize according to my needs. That done, the photos can then be sorted, organized, indexed & put into any type publication one wants for sale. So.....my offer is still good as described above. Otherwise, I will have to see the final plans (if they ever come about) before I commit to subsidizing the proposed project.. I'll just wait until some enterprising soul is able to publish & then purchase a copy of their work... of which I have no problem at all. Love the printed page! Best, Sarah

Thanks, Connie. I have noted your name/address, as I presume someone in VA has also done. I will pass along whatever I come to know ASAP. As should all, please understand that the Society (of which I know precious little from this distance) must decide a) if it will gain the permission of the county and 2) if it wishes to move on the project. If it does, it needs but call a meeting (and a committee, Lord forbid :) and determine the FIRST steps to be taken or tell us it will NOT do so. If not, we all can go home. If it does, it needs to commence the task. I say again that all who have abstracted records, seen to the filming of such, written and published the results perfectly understand that the processes of gathering the materials and making preliminary decisions as to WHAT to publish (print or net) and WHO it is that will be the boss and who will do this and that work are NOT rocket science. We now simply need to hold our advice, offer money for that express purpose - as we have - and await a call by those powers-that-be. Paul

Hi, all, I'm not sure why, but I am getting at least two copies of every letter that goes to VA-Southside list today. Is anyone else having this problem ? Teresa

Thanks Dick; got your name and will let you know whatever I know. :) :) Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "masonrs" <masonrs@email.msn.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 5:57 PM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Re: Surry Co. loose papers. > I'm in. > > Dick Mason > Colorado Springs > > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > USGW Archives Pension Project > http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pensions/ > > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp >

I'm in. Dick Mason Colorado Springs

I have found tax records very helpful. I have followed one of my lines from Cumberland Co to Campbell, to Charlotte, Prince Edward and picked up at least two children. The trouble with those children is I can't tell which son they belong to. Part of the family moved between Campbell and Charlotte. It was obvious which of the two sons did not receive their inheritance from their grandfather as their assets were fewer than the older sons who received theirs. We know the two younger ones didn't receive their inheritance because the older of them went to Court when he became 21. The tax records were from the Family History Library. Irene -----

Halifax Co., VA In researching my GGGGrandfather's estate of 1833,  Doctor White and  Doctor Johnson are both paid fees.  Can anyone help with any information or a clue where I may look? Thanks for your consideration!

In researching my GGGGrandfather's estate of 1833,  Doctor White and  Doctor Johnson are both paid fees.  Can anyone help with any information or a clue where I may look? Thanks for your consideration!

In researching my GGGGrandfather's estate of 1833,  Doctor White and  Doctor Johnson are both paid fees.  Can anyone help with any information or a clue where I may look? Thanks for your consideration!

Steve and Bunny, We all appreciate your efforts in posting the tax lists. However, as a commercial venture, I think the following might be more successful: What genealogists really need are yearly lists by county from 1782-1810 or longer. It is important to have every year because much important information about children may show up in only a few years. Moreover, it helps to pinpoint dates when people moved or when land was transferred to heirs. I think people only need the original lists. I have found that I really did not need an index, although it was helpful. I usually found that I could recognize my surname by scanning the lists. Complete indexes for certain years could be useful since they can be automated and surname lookups sold. KY also has tax lists for all its counties. They are readily available on microfilm from HeritageQuest. TLC Genealogy will do a surname search up to 1799. They are very useful in identifying children when there is no will or recorded property division. It makes KY a breeze compared to NC and TN for the period up to 1850. The slaves category is especially useful in identifiying people. I used the numbers to straighten out some migration links in my family--you know the problem: you have three people named John in VA and the three show up in KY the same year. The biggest problem may be convincing people of their utility. I have found older genealogies in which the year by year analysis was done. Yet I find little mention of it on the internet. Many people are surprised by the amount of info when I send them spreadsheets with family data extracted. However, I have noticed more people asking about the lists lately. As a way to test the market, you might offer Xeroxes of one letter of the alphabet for both districts in a county for a certain fee per year. Parts of some years may be bad, but it is better than nothing. In fact, selling CD's for all A's, B's, etc., even might be the best way to do it. Researchers would have the choice of spending money on a hotel in Richmond or paying for the copies and sitting at home with a cup of coffee. I don't mind paying people for their work. It is the most efficient way to get the information out. I view the transcribers, paid or not, as our best friends in the business. There is no quicker way to get an overview of your whole family than by using their works. Previous generations of genealogists, who just had dusty files to search, often got tunnel vision focusing on their own line.

I concur. Please count me in. Norma McGarrey in California. In a message dated 08/06/2001 6:38:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time, smithman@mindspring.com writes: > I am a willing contributor to good causes.

Thanks, Diana. I have your name, and I presume someone else in Surry likewise will copy it. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "Diana Williams" <DianainDallas@prodigy.net> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 9:31 AM Subject: Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] CONTRIBUTION > I think that once we have the procedure in place, all of us can post to our > surname lists where there is a Surry Co. connection. This will undoubtably > put a fund well over the top. Count me in as well. > > Diana Williams > > > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb Archives http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb > > > ============================== > 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=F1 1HB >

I think that once we have the procedure in place, all of us can post to our surname lists where there is a Surry Co. connection. This will undoubtably put a fund well over the top. Count me in as well. Diana Williams

Thanks, Norma. I hope that by now someone is logging the names of the many of you who are interested and will help. If not, I have them all. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: <Nlment@aol.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2001 8:33 AM Subject: Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] CONTRIBUTION > I concur. Please count me in. > > Norma McGarrey in California. > > In a message dated 08/06/2001 6:38:08 PM Pacific Daylight Time, > smithman@mindspring.com writes: > > > > I am a willing contributor to good causes. > > > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb Archives Census Project > http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/census/ > > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com >

Here is the URL for the Surry County, Virginia, Historical Society and Museums, Inc.: http://www.rootsweb.com/~vaschsm/ The contact information is at the bottom of the homepage, or it is: Society's President, Jim Atkins mailto:je-pl-atkins@worldnet.att.net It recommends to write "SCHS" in the subject line. Ooops, maybe that's why I haven't gotten a response....it pays to read. Please be kind and courteous in your correspondence as we do not want to alienate anyone. Also, they may not get alot of email so this possible flood may overwhelm the crew there!! Steve and Bunny ----- Original Message ----- From: <SusiCP@aol.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 5:30 PM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Re: VA-SOUTHSIDE-D Digest V01 #290 > Okay everyone is there a email add to the Surrey Co Va Historical > Genealogical Society? > > SusiCP in San Diego Ca > --------- Subscribe to BINNS-L surname email list: mailto:BINNS-L-request@rootsweb.com?subject=subscribe&body=subscribe American Binns Families and Individuals: http://www.yspcbdesigns.com/americanb/index.htm 1790/1800 County Tax Lists of Virginia: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~ysbinns/vataxlists/index.htm

Hi Margy, Forgive the snip-snip of your email. We left three points that we wanted to comment on. Please don't take offense because we take absolutely no offense. we just wanted to comment. First would be "sure people still buy their books". We have a website for Virginia County tax lists. We copy, scan, index and post original tax lists for "1790" and "1800", each being an approximate year due to image quality. This is an attempt to recreate the missing censuses. Each year has an index like the books you find at the libraries and images of the originals like the microfilms you can view. We also offer high resolution image CDs for sale. In one year we have sold 8 CDs to 1 individual. We find that when too much is offered we are sure no one buys anything. Just our observation. That hasn't stopped us. We still continue to get tax lists, index them and post everything just as you find with GenWeb. By the way, we posted our first index for Brunswick, the 1789 Personal Property Tax List A index, tonight. Second, I would never think of eliminating GenWeb from any benefits. I think GenWeb has been a tremendous benefit to those searching their roots. Just how far to go with GenWeb content would be a decision made by the powers to be. Personally I think GenWeb could do a better job in some areas but as a nonprofit group of true volunteers their accomplishments have been outstanding! Lastly, where do we go from here? That remains to be seen. As a group of email list members we can do absolutely nothing. But wish and hope. I have written to the Surry County Historical Society and sincerely hope they accept an offer to join this discussion. We compromise a group of raw energy and desire. This needs to be focused and planned. I believe that will have to come from the Society. They may already have a plan but need a driving force to conclude that plan. We could very well be that driving force. So let's hope to hear from them soon! Steve and Bunny ----- Original Message ----- From: "Margy Bousman" <mbousman7@home.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 9:44 PM Subject: Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Loose Papers >...... > My concern is that I thought the original intent was to provide this > information for all researchers. The best way to do this where it benefits > all is Genweb. Many private respected authors have given their permission > for their works to be cited at Genweb. I'm sure people still buy their > books. >..... > I have seen many well thought out ideas on this list and have great respect > for all concerned with this project. There is much work to be done and a > variety of ideas that are great. But if Genweb is not an option to even > consider at all in addition to private enterprise, then any further > discussion on the list is in my personal opinion, should be halted. > Margy Bousman > Sorry if this sounds trashy, where do we go from here? > --------- Subscribe to BINNS-L surname email list: mailto:BINNS-L-request@rootsweb.com?subject=subscribe&body=subscribe American Binns Families and Individuals: http://www.yspcbdesigns.com/americanb/index.htm 1790/1800 County Tax Lists of Virginia: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~ysbinns/vataxlists/index.htm

Count me in too. Kitty Manscill

There is absolutely no question that these papers are important. And should be preserved. I have absolutely no objections to people who do this work receiving due credit/any money/copyrights derived from any sales of this work. This subject was brought to the attention of a rootsweb list, contributions to the cause seem to be gladly accepted, to say that money shouldn't be discussed is not right. If this is to be a totally private matter the subject should be discussed only privately and stopped on this list. My concern is that I thought the original intent was to provide this information for all researchers. The best way to do this where it benefits all is Genweb. Many private respected authors have given their permission for their works to be cited at Genweb. I'm sure people still buy their books. No matter how expert the author is, mistakes happen in transcribing. That is why people are always told to use abstracts as a guide, use them as a source for getting a copy of the original document. In a lookup, I found two books abstracting South Carolina Marriages. The same names appeared in both books with them having completely different dates. Day/month/year, nothing matched. Originals are vital. I have seen many well thought out ideas on this list and have great respect for all concerned with this project. There is much work to be done and a variety of ideas that are great. But if Genweb is not an option to even consider at all in addition to private enterprise, then any further discussion on the list is in my personal opinion, should be halted. Margy Bousman Sorry if this sounds trashy, where do we go from here? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Drake" <martee@citlink.net> To: <VASURRY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 8:12 PM Subject: Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Loose Papers > I am not atall interested in any participating in any discussion as > to who does and who does not profit from any efforts that are > advanced. That said, we must all full well realize that there is > MUCH to be done over and above filming those records. > > To paraphrase Socrates, if one is to build a boat, he/she should > consult a shipwright and not seek the advice of the trash collector. > So? To accomplish the intellectual effort needed, needed are no > small measure of talent, many years of experience in the "doing" of > such work, and a great depth of knowledge, even as to the identity > of a particular documents, not to mention the exertion required for > ordering, numbering and the accomplishing the terribly tedious > indexing of such material. I can't do that, nor can many others > among us. > > To merely copy this enormous quantity and variety of early > writings - literally written by hundreds, if not thousands, of > different folks, most of whom had a "writing hand" that differed > from the others - and then to put that film on-line with no aids to > interpretation, abstractions, or indexing surely is but a sorry use > of whatever money is forthcoming from good people. So, how to do > it? > > As at the inception of the idea, when some of us suggested that a > researcher and abstractor of talent and experience be permitted to > undertake this incredible task for whatever profit - IF ANY - he/she > might derive, I now again suggest that such a course is the proper > one. > > There is a middle ground for the Society to consider, as follows: > IF - IF - the Society/County is willing to oversee and administer > the funds and activities needed, and if Steve and his wife do or > direct the photography effort, then those two parties should enter > into dialogue with Mrs. Haun (OR some other person of equal skill, > if one is known) to the end that she/he profit from the publication, > that the photography be compenstaed as is agreeable, and that the > Society do so also, all by some division that equates to the > relative exertions. > > For the moment, assume that Steve and his wife are to do the > photography, that Mrs. Haun will accomplish the abstracts, etc., and > that the Society is to do the administration. It is not rocket > science for reasonable, sensible and talented folks to evaluate the > worths of those separate tasks. Within that very evaluation will > rest the answer to the division of such profits - IF THERE ARE ANY. > > Parenthetically, as a published author of several genealogy related > books, I can assure you that the pie to be cut up won't feed many > folks, no matter how well done. There will be no bearded fellow > there with the fishes and loaves. Paul Drake > > > ==== VASURRY Mailing List ==== > Don't forget to check out the Surry County, Virginia, Historical Society > http://www.rootsweb.com/~vaschsm/Index.html > List Mistress is Eve Gregory egregory20@earthlink.net > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library >

I am a willing contributor to good causes. This sounds like one of those. Jim Smith Kennesaw, GA

Thanks very much, Jim. I will note your name, and be in touch, IF - IF - the Society/County responds/ Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Smith" <smithman@mindspring.com> To: <VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 8:07 PM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] CONTRIBUTION +> I am a willing contributor to good causes. This sounds like one of those. > > Jim Smith > Kennesaw, GA > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > USGenWeb Archives Census Project > http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/census/ > > > ============================== > 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=F1 1HB >