Hi Everyone, My name is Wilma and I am compiling on the GIGANTIC Ball family for my upcoming book on the Tunnell family in the U.S.A. --Elizabeth Tunnell(b.@1756 in Fairfax Co.Va.) married "Captain"Geo.Ball Sr.(b.1752 at Alexandria,Fairfax co.Va)and they settled on the Clinck River as early as 1794 or as late as 1798 but were definitely there for the birth of their last child in 1801.They started a settlement called "BaLL TOWN"and the remenants of the settlement is still there.They first children were born in Fairfax Co.Va.Last child Jesse T.(TUNNELL??)Ball was born at the Ball Town settlement nr.Honaker,Va.in 1801.Their 12 kids are: A: John/B:James Ballard Ball the 1st./ C:Sarah"Sally"md.Jacob Ball/ D:Robert / E; Moses the 111rd./F:Wm./G:Nanand Ann md.Daniel May/H:Wesley/I:Elizabeth / J: George Ball Jr./K:Hester"Hessie"md.Jesse Fuller/L;Jesse T.Ball ,As of lately I am now convinced they had another daughter named Mary Catherine Ball (b.1795)who md.Henry Hess.If so she must be a twin to Hessie !! The descendents of A: John/C: Sallie md.Jacob Ball /I: Elizabeth/J:George Jr./K:Hessie/L.Jesse all stayed in the Virginia area.so the names are to numerous to list !! So if you have ANY kin married into these families PLEASE contact me very soon.Will be anxious to hear from EVERYBODY !!! Note: Sallie's dau.Alice? (FORGOT !! )md.Jacob Wilson and that line is large !!Most of these families stayed in Russell Co.but some went to Tazwell Co.and others there in Va. Elizabeth and her descendents will definite go into my Tunnell book.Am trying to find proof that she was the last child of "Lady"Ann(Howard)and Wmn.Tunnell(b.1792 in France). If SO then she was sister to My 4th G.Grandfather Wm.Tunnell. Will answer ALL e-mails !!!-----------------------------------------Wilma M.(COWSAR)Brown P,S.Have much data to send out!!

Michelle- Your work is GREATLY appreciated by all on the list. And I thoroughly enjoy the CVN articles. I suspect some of what determined who got written about was a function of who the CVN editor or his staff personally knew. As to the proliferation of data on certain families, I have the following theory... and this is just my own hunch. I don't think I've ever heard anyone else say this: The first group of pioneer families who came to Tazewell county very quickly intermarried, because in the days of those early generations, there were so few people here. There wasn't anyone else to marry. After three or four generations, the descendants of those several original pioneers, were all related to each other. In other words, a large number of people were descended from those few. And I suspect that when the genealogy focused organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution became active and popular about 100 or so years ago, and sparked a serious interest in tracing one's roots, there were a number of Tazewell folks all tracing their lineage back to just a few individuals. So a lot of data was researched and compiled for those few families. A few generations later, many other families came into Tazewell co who also made significant contributions to the area in many different ways. The early settlers in my family were: Ward, Bowen, Thompson, Witten, McCall, Meek, Peery, George, Horton. And the present day descendants of these families can be found in every walk of life and circumstance. Again, I think your contribution to the research of Tazewell history and Tazewell families is significant beyond expression. We all thank you. Robt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michelle Burress" <mish@TechVox.net> To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 1:37 PM Subject: [VA-TAZEWELL] Question about who's researching who > > Kind of a dumb question, but I'm trying to find out if anyone on the list > is researching prominent families in Tazewell. For example, I notice in > the newspaper, that most often the persons mentioned are those who I guess > are considered "upper class" There are just certain people who get > mentioned all the time (like the McGuires and Steeles) and I guess I'm > just curious as to how many of you find more information then other's > because of this. > > I promise the CVN site is almost done. It has taken me longer the I > thought because of problems I have been running into. I'm going to be > doing another site to with different research stuff on it (like court > records, etc) that I'm also pulling off micro film - however that one > hasn't even been started yet so haven't got much info right now. > > In referrerce to my question, I'm asking more about the prominent families > because I have to skip over a lot of stuff when making copies (cause I > don't have the money to print out everything) and I'm trying to get a feel > more for what would be more helpful to everyone. I'm assuming most of us > are researching the more common folk - just trying to get some idea. > > Michelle > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > WATCH YOUR SUBJECT LINES > Take an extra second and > give them a good one for > the subject of your list > message. IT DOES MATTER! > > >

I have many roots in the trees of Tazewell County -- MOORE, POAGUE, WITTEN, CECIL, SHANNON, DAVIDSON, PATTON, WHITLEY and MAXWELL. Melinda Larson

These are names I am researching -- very early families who left shortly after 1840 for Missouri and later Kansas. Bobby Dobbins Title in Loma Linda, California

I am researching the BARNETT, DUNFORD, HAGY and HEDRICK families of Tazewell and surrounding counties. Michelle, this list would be nothing without your input. You must know how much we all appreciate your work! I wish I could do the same.

I love reading the CVN articles you publish. The names I'm really looking for are Crismond, Grubb, Huddle, Southern, Shannon - I do tie in with the McGuires - specifically the J. Marion McGuire's- and even got a wedding date from the CVN Again, thanks for all of your hard work - it is much appreciated. Paula McGovern

I'm researching, ALTIZER, BANDY , BARRET, BEAVERS, BREWSTER, CHRISTIAN, HARRISON, HARMAN, LOCKHART, LINDAMOOD, MYERS, MOYERS, MAXWELL, MCGUIRE, MCINTOSH, PEERY, SKAGGS, STUMP, TOLLETT, WHITTAKER and some others. Before it was and just became Tazewell County, my family members prospered and had fortunes, that they made with the sweat of their brow.. With every war, more and more was taken away, till, day dis became poh folks. So around the time that paper was published, they didn't have much to mention. But they were blessed and rich with many children. Gwenn

Howdy, Michelle Families I am interested in that have Tazewell Co. roots would be Burke; Burk; Brewster; Beavers; VanDike; Mitchell; Lambert just to name a few. I have ties to all the above mentioned families. Thanks for your good work David Burke

Can anyone tell me which hospitals were nearest Tazewell ca 1883-1900? Thanks, Ann

I am looking for information on the Shortridge family, I have a John Childress Shortridge or he may have been just John Childress. He was the father of Mary Shortridge born ca 1857, who's mother was M. Shortridge. I am not sure if there was ever a marriage. Thanks very much, Ann

Hello all, Seeing all the names being researched, it occurred to me that perhaps this would be a good time to let you know that you can put your research online at the Tazewell County GenWeb Archives (http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/va/tazewell.htm). I am the archivist and would love to take any of your info and put it online. The more info the better. This is also a good way to let other researchers know which families you are looking for. And a way to begin sharing information. I also am archivist for Washington County, Wythe County, Smyth County, and the city of Bristol. So if you have Federal Census (free, slave, mortality, agriculture, veterans...schedules), State Census, Vital Records (marriage, birth, death, funeral...), Court Records (city, county, federal, civil, circuit, probate...), Church Records (members lists, baptisms, marriages...), Bible Records, Newspapers (obits, marriage & birth announcements, local events...), Prison Records, Military Records (rosters, muster rolls, service records, pension applications...), Land Records (deeds, homestead deeds, land transfers, federal land grants, surveyor's records...), Tax Records (land, property, state, federal, local...) Local Histories, Local Directories (phone books, old county and city directories...), Occupational Records (mining inspector's reports, accident reports, railroad reports, company newsletters...) Educational Records (school histories, newsletters, school census, yearbooks...), Cemeteries, Ship lists, Wills, Biographies, Family Histories, Family Photos, Miscellaneous, etc., please send to me with your name and email address. If you have info that does not seem to fit any of the above, send it and I will try to find a place to put the info....and there's always miscellaneous. Sharon Hamilton

Michele, I am researching Harmons, Harrisons, Beavers, Barnett,Peery, Mitchell and Skaggs. Of course, all or most of these names are in the early and mid 1800s. Rachel

I think mostly I'm just looking for the common folk. I look for Lester, Ascue, Asbury, Shreve, and some Steele's since they trickled into my Lester line. But I have many others on the fringe I look for too. I mostly concentrate on Paint Lick and Pounding Mill, and some Steelesburg when reading because that's where the highest concentration of my Lester's and allied families are, but I always read the whole article so I don't miss any news. I often find family in areas where I don't expect them to be. I found several names of mine in the WWI selective service listing too! So that was a treat. I basically love all the news. It's fun to read what they did and how they lived, and what seemed important to them then. I am so appreciative of your hard work. I know I've written you many times in the past couple years and thanked you, but it can't be done too often. You deserve it. Sue -----Original Message----- From: Michelle Burress [mailto:mish@TechVox.net] In referrerce to my question, I'm asking more about the prominent families because I have to skip over a lot of stuff when making copies (cause I don't have the money to print out everything) and I'm trying to get a feel more for what would be more helpful to everyone. I'm assuming most of us are researching the more common folk - just trying to get some idea. Michelle

I am looking for descendants of Thomas Chambers and Nancy Christian. Also have no information on Thomas .... when or where he was born, his parents, etc. Lori ddoerr@houston.rr.com

i am researching the Sluss family . i am also trying to work on the Wimmer family . Both of Mudfork.

I am researching the families of Christian, Harman, Lowe, Hurst/Husk, Whitt. All of your articles have been very interesting. Was able to find some WW1 letters from the Lowe boys. Tracie Crawford Quincy, Florida

I am researching the Eagle, Stump, Carroll, Drake, Daughertys, Nolen families. I also pay attention to Bledsoe, Abshear, Abshire I am related to every Eagle family in Lee County. Nell E. Lamantia Miamisburg, Ohio http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/a/m/Nell-E-Lamantia/index.html

Hi Michelle, My ancestors are the families of Steele, Gillespie, Smith, Smyth, Palmer, Ledford, Skidmore, Farmer, all of whom passed through Tazewell, Bland, Washington, Lee, Halifax, and others. Don't know how prominent they were, but surely a "bunch of 'em." I think all Virginians are Upper Class. 8-). Keep up the good work! Be sure to let us know when your new sites are available. Monty Reed Kentucky native Retired in Jax, Fla. > > Kind of a dumb question, but I'm trying to find out if anyone on the list > is researching prominent families in Tazewell. For example, I notice in > the newspaper, that most often the persons mentioned are those who I guess > are considered "upper class" There are just certain people who get > mentioned all the time (like the McGuires and Steeles) and I guess I'm > just curious as to how many of you find more information then other's > because of this.

Michelle, my direct lines are Smith, Harford, Robinette, Milam, Fletcher, Berry, Matthews. Collateral lines I'm following to help with my research are Lester and Justice. ( I am also a direct descendant of Justices). Thanks again for the great work. I can't tell you how much I'm getting from the postings. Laura McK Laura's pages for Homeschooling, Gardening, and Genealogy http://home.att.net/~ekyorigins

The only "prominent" families I am connected to are the Harmans [1810 and earlier] and the Brooks [William and Nancy line} from Thompson Valley.... otherwise mine would all be considered "common" although I don't think of them that way :-) Lisa Griffith Bradford