Afternoon Update: Earlier this morning I called and then emailed Ashely Nuckols, a dedicated genealogist and officer of the TCV Historical Society. She has subsequently spoken to the Revenue Office, (Tax Assessor), at the courthouse. I just received a call from them. They are on top of the situation and are tracking down the owner of the property. For all who have never had the pleasure to experience Tazewell; please allow me to interject that this is one of the finest counties in all of the Commonwealth. Leaving this pleasant and beautiful hamlet is so very difficult; I always feel as if I am leaving home. Their people really care; they are a kind and fair sect. Their courthouse is welcoming and the records immaculate. We can all be proud of our cousins who live there still. Please plan a visit and spend your tourism dollars. You will come away with treasured lifetime memories of this very special place. Keep those phones lines lit up! Debra Rookard Atlanta. GA

I am in tears after reading this because I am hoping this will get some answers. I was my ancestors Thomas Lester and Margaret Drake Lester whose graveyard was plowed over by a land owner many years ago, and when my family memebers went to ask the owner at least for the stones, he threatened them with a shotgun and told them he'd shoot them if they came around again. Granted, this was done in the 1960's, and I don't know if anyone pursued it, and I wasn't aware of it until 2000. A big thanks to those of you who are local and can drive to the cemetery in person, and also the ones who've called the right people. You are right about the courthouse in Tazewell, and also the historical society. My mom and I were there in 2002, and spent days in the courthouse downstairs room. They were so nice and helpful, the space is nice and well lit where we researched, and everything is right there just for the looking. I was thrilled to death to have that experience. Also the records and genealogy room at the library were more than adequate. Thanks again to all who are helping. Sue -----Original Message----- From: Debra Rookard [mailto:d_rookard@adelphia.net] Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 3:52 PM To: VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [VA-TAZEWELL] Cemetery - The County is calling Afternoon Update: Earlier this morning I called and then emailed Ashely Nuckols, a dedicated genealogist and officer of the TCV Historical Society. She has subsequently spoken to the Revenue Office, (Tax Assessor), at the courthouse. I just received a call from them. They are on top of the situation and are tracking down the owner of the property. For all who have never had the pleasure to experience Tazewell; please allow me to interject that this is one of the finest counties in all of the Commonwealth. Leaving this pleasant and beautiful hamlet is so very difficult; I always feel as if I am leaving home. Their people really care; they are a kind and fair sect. Their courthouse is welcoming and the records immaculate. We can all be proud of our cousins who live there still. Please plan a visit and spend your tourism dollars. You will come away with treasured lifetime memories of this very special place. Keep those phones lines lit up! Debra Rookard Atlanta. GA -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.5 - Release Date: 2/3/2005

I drove to the site this evening but didn't see the cemetery. I've known about it for awhile but haven't gotten around to going there. I did see the old house though, and it was in the process of being torn down. The top story had already been removed. I sent an email to Western District Supervisor Donnie Lowe but haven't received a response. Hezekiah is most likely an ancestor of his so maybe he will get involved. I'd be happy to go to the courthouse tomorrow if someone can give me an idea of who to talk to. Darrell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Debra Rookard" <d_rookard@adelphia.net> To: <VATAZEWE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 4:52 PM Subject: [VA-TAZEWELL] Cemetery - The County is calling > Afternoon Update: > > Earlier this morning I called and then emailed Ashely Nuckols, a dedicated > genealogist and officer of the TCV Historical Society. She has > subsequently spoken to the Revenue Office, (Tax Assessor), at the > courthouse. I just received a call from them. They are on top of the > situation and are tracking down the owner of the property. > > For all who have never had the pleasure to experience Tazewell; please > allow me to interject that this is one of the finest counties in all of > the Commonwealth. Leaving this pleasant and beautiful hamlet is so very > difficult; I always feel as if I am leaving home. > > Their people really care; they are a kind and fair sect. Their courthouse > is welcoming and the records immaculate. We can all be proud of our > cousins who live there still. > > Please plan a visit and spend your tourism dollars. You will come away > with treasured lifetime memories of this very special place. > > Keep those phones lines lit up! > Debra Rookard > Atlanta. GA > > > ==== VATAZEWE Mailing List ==== > TAZEWELL LIST ADMINISTRATOR > VATazewe-Admin@RootsWeb.com > <commander@sunlitsurf.com>> >