I just found a major clue that might help me break through a long-standing brick wall, and need the help of some kind soul for some lookups. If anyone has access to records for Botetourt County, could you please scan the "H" section and see what you can see for a Benjamin or John HERBERT or HOLBUT or HOLBERT or HALBERT (you get the idea!)?? Any name starting with an H that ends in some form of -"bert" will do! Oh, the date range would be late 1700s. The records I have been told about already are: > Benjamin HALBUT was made responsible, along with other neighbors, for the > upkeep of a road in Botetourt County Va. on June 12, 1783. Page 376-Annals > of SouthWest Va. Lewis Preston Summers author. > > I looked in the 1787 Virginia Census for this individual. The closest I > came was Benjamin HERBERT on List B of the Botetourt County Section. Page > 217 Volume One. > > This Benjamin has a son-John HERBERT that is over 21 years of age. > > Apparently any male 21 or over had to pay a tax; so Benjamin is listed 1st > and is responsible for himself; then his son John is listed on a seperate > line with Benjamin responsible for him. Benjamin's has one male son from > 16-21, I assume John, no Slaves-some horses and cattle. John is listed > with no possessions. If anyone either knows about this family or has some access to will or deed abstracts, marriages or other records for Botetourt County, I would be forever grateful for your help. We have been searching for our HOLBERT ancestor high and low throughout Virginia, and never thought to look for HERBERT. It might not be the same, but the John HOLBERT in question was married in 1792 in Amherst County, and we have found no trace of him prior to this marriage bond. Thanks in advance for any help you might provide! Pam -- Pamela Wilson, Pittsburgh, PA <pwgs@sgi.net> or <wilson_pam@hotmail.com> Arledge Family History: http://www.geocities.com/~wilson_pam/ FTM trees: http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/w/i/l/Pamela-S-Wilson/