My Favorite Virginia Genealogy Sources

My favorite genealogy sources are periodicals: quarterlies, monthlies, newsletters, datasheets, annual volumes. Here, other genealogists interested in the same place, the same surnames, the same ancestors, the same subjects, the same books, share what is new and what works.

So I requisition or purchase complete runs of periodicals to study. In depth. Every page. Indexed or not. I still read every page. And I have decided to share with you Virginia periodicals I have been reading these past few weeks. And some of their features that make them my favorite sources:

  1. Introductions to records and sources. Magazine of Virginia Genealogy is the very best at this feature. Authors of the articles and/or the editor provide a detailed description of the source or record category and why it is important. And what special research challenges it holds for genealaogists who use it. Available Virginia Genealogical Society, 1900 Byrd Avenue, Suite 104, Richmond, VA 23230-3033. http://www.vgs.org/magazine/htm Most articles contain transcribed and abstracted records from the Virginia Library–some “hidden” away in record groups or collections you might never search.

“Militia lists are wonderful finding aids. They pin down young men, who frequently did not yet own land. We learn the names of comrades-in-arms, possible neighbors and possible in-laws. These lists demand careful analysis…

“We cite from “Brown: ‘Under an ordinance for raising and embodying a sufficient force for the defence and protection of this colony, passed by the Convention of July 17 to August 26 1775, the colony was divided into sixteen districts, and each district was required to organize a battalion of minute-men who were to drill and prepare themselves for the regular service.'” Then follows a description of the minute-men for Amherst County– with lists. (See Vol 31 (Nov 1993), #4, pp. 263-73.)

Corrections to previously published data. The Southside Virginian: A Journal of Genealogy and History printed a correction by Christopher M. Hooper. “Harrup vs Harris–Reading Original Records.”

“For those of you who have Volume VIII, Number 3, (1990), please correct the name William Harris found on page 99, to William Harrup. In the Index for Volume VIII, delete entries for William Harris, on p. 99, Elizabeth Harris, page 99, and change them to William Harrup and Elizabeth Harrup, p. 99. For those who have The Table of Contents and Indexes to Vols. 1 through VIII, please make the correction immediately above on page 233. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope that this provides all of us with an insight that will enhance our research.”

The article addresses the issue of reading entries incorrectly and what that does to a genealogy search. (See Vol XI No.1, page 37-38.)

The Southside Virginian, P.O. Box 3684 Drwr GS, Richmond, Virginia 23235. After eight years of publication, this quarterly magazine has been purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Chris Hooper of Richmond, Virginia, and Virginia Lee Hutcheson Davis of Urbanna, Virginia–previous editors and contributors to the excellent content They will continue the original purpose of The Southside Virginian: to “bring to subscribers transcriptions and abstracts of county, church, cemetery and family records from the counties of Southside Virginia. The magazine includes: an every-name index in each issue and greater emphasis on “burned records” counties. Subscriptions are $20.00 annually.

Transcriptions of “little-known” and under-used records. The Virginia Genealogist, edited by John Frederick Dorman for over 25 years, includes many records that fall into this classification. From Volume 19, Number 2 (1975)–and continued for several issues–“Inquisitions on Escheated Lands, 1665-1676.” This very important data was recorded in a volume entitled Foreign Business and Inquisitions. The volume was part of the record collection of the Secretary of the Colony and ended up in the Library of Congress with the Thomas Jefferson manuscripts. A Jury of Inquisition on Escheated Lands was called to determine which lands reverted to the Crown and why.

10 May 1670. Elizabeth City County, VA: pp. 148-151. Jury find that David Poole was an alien and at the time of his death was seized of:

80 acres in the tenure and occupation of Jno Cooper, and escheated to the Crown by reason that Poole was an alien

420 acres, 50 acres of which he purchased from James Vabrett/Verbert who died a felon, and is now in the tenure and occupation of Jane Poole, widd., relict of Jno Poole, son of David Poole, dec’d. “David Poole being an alien and Verbert dying a fellon, wee find to escheate.” Granted to Jane Poole.

150 acres, in tenure and occupation of Wm. Morris, which by reason of David Poole being an alien escheats. Granted to Wm Morris.

50 acres now in tenure and occupation of George Webb, which by reason Poole was an alien, escheats. Granted to George Webb.

CD: The Virginia Genealogist, Volumes 1-27 – John Frederick Dorman. This periodical is widely acknowledged as one of the finest ever produced in the United States. Within its pages is a vast treasure of genealogies and genealogical source materials for The Old Dominion. Volumes 1-27 cover the years 1957-1983. Each volume contains a subject and full name index for easy reference. This CD is not searchable, but the bookmarks help guide you through the CD. (1994), 2003, CD, Graphic Images, Adobe Acrobat, v5, PC and Mac, 8482 pp.
$60.00. CD2323. ISBN: 0788423231. Heritage Books, Inc., 100 Railroad Avenue, Suite 104, Westminster, Maryland 21157-5026. http://www.heritagebooks.com

Bible records, tax lists, militia rolls, unusual census enumerations, and a myriad of other lists for most counties in Virginia are published in The Virginia Genealogist. There are also genealogies and articles that discuss record categories and how best to use them in your research.

From time to time, I’ll draw your attention to classic genealogy content in other Virginia genealogy periodicals. Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com

PS At the Mesa Arizona Family History EXPO I will speak about unique Virginia Jurisdictions, the Records they created, where to find them, and how to use them. I am preparing a NEW session that you won’t want to miss. And I am very excited about being able to present this totally new stuff.  Actually, I have three sessions at this Expo, including Genealogy Evidence and Proven Strategies for Finding Hard-to-Find Ancestors.

When: November 14th-15th, 2008
Where: Mesa Convention Center
263 N. Center Street, Mesa, Arizona
Cost: Early Bird cost is only $65.00 for both days.
Regular pre-registration cost for both days is $75.00.
At the door cost will be $90.00.

Expo Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM
Check-in and at the door registration begins at 7 AM on Friday November 14, 2008. To receive the Early Bird discount!
Don’t Delay Sign Up Today! http://www.myancestorsfound.com

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