Did they buy land when they first arrived? Sometimes the first deed will say something like "John White of Blank Co., VA" or whatever. Also you might check the censuses, including the 1850 census. if you see the same first names showing up for a particular county, that can be a lead since families often used the same first names over and over. Also, were they married when they arrived? If so do you know the wife's maiden name? Middle names (and sometimes first names) of sons were often the maiden name of wife. If the wife had an unusual maiden name you can then look for it in the 1850 census and that can sometimes be a lead; then you can check marriage records, which are usually indexed by surname of both husband and wife. Good luck! (Bedford County has an active history museum/archives; Botetourt has a genealogist who works 2 days a week & it is also on the James.) Pat Hickin ----- Original Message ----- From: Shannon White <swhite@oak.total-web.net> To: <WHITE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2000 3:50 AM Subject: [WHITE] Virginia Whites > I am looking for a couple of brothers: Woodford and Renford (Buford) > White. They were born around 1818-1820 somewhere in VA. They then came > to Kanwha County in 1840. They worked on the James River before coming > to WV, and I think they may have come from around Bedford County. Cany > anyone help me, please. Thanks, Shannon White >