Hello all, I have not been a subscriber for over a year now but previously contributed historical and genealogical articles to the archives of wvhamp-l, old-frederick-co-va-l and others. I previously heard about the 'old records' found in the Hampshire Co. WV courthouse, and more recently that these records are in the process of being microfilmed. My question concerns the years covered by these records. One source from the archives says they cover the late 18th and early 19th century (too late for my research.) However, a recent e-mail source says this 'find' includes records from the mid-1700's when Hampshire County was formed, and includes much about the South Branch area of my McDaniel-McDonald ancestors. Can some well informed subscriber please tell me what years and types of info are covered within these 'newly found' records? My Joseph McDaniel-McDonald first shows up in the Frederick Co. VA area in the 1750's. The Rev War pension records of his son, Valentine (my direct line), tells that he was born 11 Jan 1760 'at' South Branch of the Potomac River. The 'at' raises another question. I found a 'town' or settlement named 'South Branch' on an old map; it was located on the east bank of the South Branch River at its confluence with the 'main' or North Branch of the Potomac River -- in other words, it was located on the VA-WV side of the Potomac, across the Potomac River and slightly down-stream of Cresap's on the MD side, and Ft. Cumberland on the VA-WV side. Has anyone ever found reference to a 'South Branch' town or small settlement at this or any other location? Joseph McD moved his family from the South Branch area to Baltimore Co. MD about the time the F&I War ended (possibly due to Pontiac's Rebellion in 1763?), or at least when his son Valentine was 'very young' per Valentine's RW records, and thence to the Westmoreland Co. area of southwestern PA about 1773-1776. Valentine McDaniel-McDonald first served in the Rev War from Westmoreland Co. PA at age 17 (1777), being stationed at Prickett's Fort of VA-WV under Capt. Zadoch Springer that year. He later helped to construct two forts in the wilderness of 'Ohio Country' (Ft. McIntosh and Ft. Laurens), and served in western frontier campaigns. Back to Joseph McD for possible general interest: I have never been able to learn whether he was my immigrant ancestor. He or his parents were likely Ulster-Irish immigrants per my readings and statistical probability concerning the large 'Scotch-Irish' emigrations from Ulster Ireland of the early-mid 1700's. However, it is possible that he or his parents emigrated the 'lowland area' of Scotland as many 'border-people' of the England-Scotland border area did during this same timeframe (per Fischer's book, "Albion's Seed.") Many of these emigrants arrived at ports of Philadelphia, New Castle or other ports of the Delaware River-Bay but 'generally' headed for the frontier or 'back-settler' areas of MD and VA while some remained in nearby areas or colonies of their arrival (northeastern MD, NJ, southeastern PA, etc.) -- at least for awhile as some were 'indentured servants' to pay for their passage. It is also 'remotely' possible that Joseph McD was part of a Scots' Highlander military unit as several of these units were brought into the VA area during the mid-1750's to help contest the French and Indians, many of whom remained in the American colonies after the F&I War. Thanks for any help or general input of historical interest. Genealogical and historical research is a never-ending process. I am presently reading Joseph Dodderidge's book, "Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania, 1763-1783....," (originally written in 1824) that a friend recommended a year or so ago. Dodderidge writes in the old 'heavy handed' style, but so far his book is very interesting in that it contains many details concerning the society and lifestyles of our ancestors. Neil McDonald