Hi all -- I'm working on a line of Vanorsdal(e)'s, said to be descended from Garret VanArsdalen (b. 1725 in NJ; d. 1787 in York Co., PA) & Marya <surname unknown>. Three of Garret's sons -- Cornelius, b. ca. 1759; Garret, b. ca. 1760; and Abraham, b. 1765, emigrated to the area near Shepherdstown, WV, and the descendants of Abraham & Garrett, at least, were scattered throughout Berkeley, Hampshire, & Morgan Co.'s, WV (then VA), in the early 1800's. I have a pretty good account of Abraham's descendants, partially from Charles Van Orsdale, but still haven't been able to definitively link my ancestor Mary Elizabeth (aka Elizabeth Mary) Van Orsdale (b. 1803 in Morgan Co., m. John VanKirk Fisher before 1832) to Garrett, although the birthdates in the 1820 census seem to fit. Part of the problem is that Cornelius seems to have disappeared, and it is possible that Mary Elizabeth was his daughter. Thought I would post some information I just got from a local history of the area -- "Historical Records of Old Frederick and Hampshire Counties, Virginia", by Wilmer L. Kerns: "Garret Vanarsdall, was born in New Jersey on March 19, 1757. He moved to Berkeley County, where he joined the Revoluntionary Army, after which he moved to Hampshire County, Va. His wife was named Amelia, based on an 1828 deed in Morgan County, Va. Possibly, she was a second wife. When Garret Vanarsdale [here they spelled it differently] made his application for a military pension in 1834, he stated that his brother took his discharge papers down the Ohio many years ago, and he was not heard from since. It is believed that the brother's name was Cornelius." This was on page 361. On page 363: "Cornelius, son of Garrett and Sarah Vanorsdall, died on Aug. 5, 1876 of "paralysis" at age 76 years in Hampshire County, Va. His death was reported to the Hampshire County Courthouse by Daughter Elizabeth Heiskell. The wife of Cornelius was named Catherine Huff, a daughter of William Cornelius and Elizabeth (Heironimus) Huff. The Vanorsdales were divorced on Sept. 4, 1866 in Hampshire County, W.Va. Catherine died in Hampshire County, WV on Aug. 8, 1874, at age 87 yeras, according to her son-in-law, Francis W. Heiskell, who reported her death to the Hampshire County courthouse. I found her grave near the Cacapon River, on a knoll close to the end of County Road 29/2. It is on the old Francis W. Heiskell place, now owned by Edward Milburn, not far from the Morgan COunty, W.Va. line. Catherine, wife of Cornelius Van Arsdale, died Aug. 8, 1875, aged 89 years, 3 months, 13 days. Next to her was Cornelius Van Arsdale, died Aug. 5, 1876, aged 49 years and 15 days. Was he a son? If so, why is his birth date the same as his father's? On the preceding page, page 362, it says: Abraham Vanorsdall was born in Somerset County, New Jersey on Oct.27, 1765, and died in 1824 in Morgan County, Va. In 1794, he immigrated to Hampshire County, Va., where he settled at Great Cacapon. This section of Hampshire County fell into Morgan County when it was formed in 1820. He married Abigail Johnston, daughter of William and Elizabeth Johnston, circa 1799. Her will was filed in 1849 and probated in 1850, in Morgan County, Va. Their children were: (1) The Rev. William Vanorsdall was born in 1800, and married Christina "Teena" Casler, daughter of John and Elizabeth Casler, on Feb., 9, 1820; (2) Garret Vanarsdall was born on June 29, 1801, and died on Aug. 14, 1876 in Fayette County, Ohio. He married Rosannah Gray, daughter of Michael Gray, of Morgan County; (3) Lemuel Vanorsdall was born on March 14, 1803 and died on May 30, 1875. He married Sarah Boyles, daughter of Henry and Mary Boyles. Lemuel represented Morgan County in the State Legislature. (4) Isaac Vanorsdall was born on Dec. 15, 1808 and died on Oct. 20, 1885 in Morgan County, W.Va. He married Frances Michael. (5) Anna M. (sometimes called Nancy) Vanorsdall was born Nov. 7, 1814 and died on Oct. 18, 1870. She married Mathias Ambrose and they had no children. (6) Abigail Vanarsdall was born on Jan. 15, 1817, and died on Sept. 28, 1893 in Madison County, Ohio. Her husband was named James Reed (1815 - 1899). They wer e buried in the Kirkwood Cemetery near London, Ohio, and (7) Mariah Vanorsdall was born in 1820. She married Patrick Phillips on Oct. 18, 1843 and they had no children. Note: It is believed that Abraham Vanorsdall was son of Garret Van Arsdalen of New Jersey, a Justice of the Peace during the American Revolution. Source: Research compiled by Mr. Roy B. Fultz of Jeffersonville, Ohio and shared with me by Frederick T. Newbraugh of Berkeley Springs, W.Va." I would love to hear from others researching this area! Sandy Dunavan