This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: darallen814 Surnames: 'the unknown orator' Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.unknown/7156/mb.ashx Message Board Post: help! i recently found an article, one of the best i've ever read on the subject of early law in the colony, that explained virginia colonial laws and their implications for researchers. the 'article' was really a printed copy of a speech a gentleman presented to a group &, printed out, was 3-4 pg long. there was so much info. for example, the speaker goes into defining infants as minor children. he further defines orphans as being fatherless but not necessarily motherless; still they needed 'administrators' (i think he labeled them,) so...these folks are out there in the public records. he said hardly anyone truly totally escapes being in the legal records at some point; if you had no land, you still got taxed by the parish for your cow or horse. he said so much i wish i could put my hands on once again. this was a virtual wealth of info, currently misplaced! does anyone out there recognize any of this and know how to direct me to the source i seek? thanks in advanc! e. da Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.