I am researching the family of Surry, Warwick, and James City counties, VA. I'm not sure where my FRANCIS family originated but according to my 3-great grandfather's death certificate, he was born in James City County. I think I have found his family in Surry (Southwark Township) but there's a lot I need to verify to be sure. Here's how I see the family tree now: Henry FRANCIS (born in the late 1700s - approx 1790) married Polly or Anna. I'm taking for granted Polly and Anna are the same people. According to the census Henry's wife's name was Anna but according to the Registry of Free Negroes her name was Polly. Henry and Polly had my 3-great grandfather Elias FRANCIS (born 1825). There were numerous children. There is also another Elias FRANCIS who is approximately the same age of Henry FRANCIS so I've been taking for granted they are cousins or brothers. This Elias was married to a Parthena BANKS and some of the BANKS family lived in the household of Henry FRANCIS for a while. My 3-great grandfather left Surry to head for the North where he joined the Union Infantry during the Civil War and fought in Louisiana for the most part. I do not live close to the Surry area so I have to plan my trips. Does anyone have advice on how to research Surry documents? They don't seem very accessible. Has anyone joined the Surry Genealogical Society? What are the benefits?