July 2nd:  Anniversary of adoption by the Continental Congress, sitting in Philadelphia, 2 July 1776, of a resolution  by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia (actually proposed 7 June 1776).

“Resolved, That these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.  That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.  That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.”

On July 4th 1776,  the Declaration of Independence, written by the pen of Thomas Jefferson, was officially adopted by the Congress and signed by John Hancock in the presence of Charles Thomson, Secretary.  Other signatures were added 2 August 1776:  “The declaration of independence being engrossed and compared at the table was signed by the members.” (Congressional Journal)

The resolution and the declaration were acts of treason–especially the resolve to form alliances with foreign powers.

May I recommend two volumes for your summer reading list:

1. “I Love Paul Revere, Whether He Rode or Not!” (Warren Harding) by Richard Shenkman.  New York:  Harper Collins, 1991.  Shenkman describes many traditions, cherished myths, and legends of American history.  This is a favorite pastime of some writers who love to debunk what they call “self-serving” patriotic myths peddled by politicians.  You will find some enlightenment as well as entertainment in his book–including the parts that Virginians did not take.
2. The Cousins’ Wars by Kevin Phillips.  New York:  Basic Books, 1999.  Phillips makes a good case for the impact of religious politics and religion in politics as the underlying difference between New England (spread westward all the way to the Pacific Ocean) and The South (spread to and including Texas and Arizona).   You will find his thesis fascinating–that these differences originate in the British Isles and lead to civil war both in the American Revolution and the War Between the States.  And his collection of evidence valuable, especially for accurate genealogical research in Virginia.

Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com

PS  Watch this blog.  I plan to discuss on these differences in great detail.  One of our greatest research challenges is connecting an ancestor from Missouri or Kentucky or Arkansas or Georgia with Virginia with proof that the person in Virginia is the same person!

PPS  Have a grand and glorious, safe 4th of July.  I think I’ll veg on my patio with The Cousins’ War! 

c2008, Arlene H. Eakle, The Genealogical Institute, PO Box 129, Tremonton UT 84337

Virginia Jurisdictions and Genealogical Research
Government Jurisdictions:
General Court (Governor and his Council)
House of Burgesses (Local Justices of the Peace)

Court Districts: District of West Augusta [V]
Superior Court Districts (3) 1802-1812
District of Prince Edward

County: 8 est. 1634, 61 in 1775, 100 now
41 have suffered record loss [VIII]

Local Justices of the Peace est. 1662,
4 in each county 1775

Independent City: 4 corporations est. 1619 [VIII]
38 now. Also called “Burgs” or boroughs
not subject to county jurisdiction

Parish: 56 functioning in 18th century [II]
Civil government jurisdiction
Church of England ecclesiastical jurisdiction
Abolished as government jurisdiction c. 1780

Hundreds: 44 est. 1619 to support 100 families each
include Jordan’s Journey, Shirley Hundred, Berkeley Hundred
largely replaced by parish and county

Militia Districts in each parish, county, and Independent City

Military Jurisdictions:
Military Bounty Land Districts: 2 areas used for French and Indian War:
Old Rowan area of NC, 1755-63; Both sides of Ohio River, 1755-63.
3 areas used for Revolutionary War Service: Ohio, 1784-1876
Kentucky (south of Green River), 1781-91
Indiana (Illinois Regiment under George Rogers Clark)

Forts: 4 est. 1645, commanded by powerful and prominent men,
received land grants of 600 acres each for providing stockade

Stations: 28 set up for frontier defense in 18th century,
also called blockhouses; received land grants of 600 acres each [VIII]

Special and Private Jurisdictions:
Council Grants of Jurisdiction and Land: [I]
Northern Neck Proprietary, 1690-1874
Benjamin Borden Grant
Beverley Manor Grant

Manors: Several located in what is now West Virginia
Cedar Creek, Dunmore County (defunct county)
Leeds, Fauquier and Dunmore Counties
Potomac, Berkeley County
South Branch, Berkeley County
Patterson Creek, Great Falls, Swan Ponds, Gooney Run, Greenway Court
–all located within Northern Neck Proprietary

Commercial, Mercantile Jurisdictions:
Merchants: Association of Merchants, 1770 included 74 [IV]
John Norton & Co. of London and Virginia, 1750-95
Lloyd’s of London; William Cunningham and Co;
Buchanans of Greenock, Glasgow, and London

Chiswell Lead Mines, owned by Col. John Chiswell, Sr.
Accounts 1778-1789, include lists of Black and Indian slaves
hired from plantations in Eastern Virginia
to work in the mines during the American Revolution

Ports: 7 Ports–Subject to Admiralty Law

Joint-Stock Companies: based in England, Royal-sanctioned
Virginia Company: jurisdiction over whole colony,
became Royal Colony 1624 after Indian Massacre of 1623
50 acres of land per share, increased to 100 acres
Berkeley Company: Gloucestershire England; Berkeley Hundred, Virginia

Land Companies: 18th c. in West Augusta, KY, TN, Ohio [II, V]

Tobacco Warehouses: 66 listed in 1732 to store, market, and ship the crop. Incl. Alexandria (orig. called Belhaven), Dumfries, Lynchburg, Quantico [IX]

Note: Roman Numeral indicates the volume of Arlene Eakle’s Virginia Scrapbooks where this jurisdiction is listed, mapped, or discussed. A more detailed and illustrated treatment can be found in Virginia Jurisdictions and Your Genealogical Research–NEW in 2008. [This was to be a part of the Virginia Scrapbooks series–it is too long, and is a work of original research. So I will publish it as a separate book.] Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com

PS You’ll want your own copy of Virginia Jurisdictions. So put it on your wish list! I’ll print the Table of Contents soon.

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

Want to know exactly where this area is?

1. Register to attend Jamboree 2008, sponsored by the Southern California Genealogical Society. http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/2008jam-index.htm
2. Come to Jamboree 2008–27, 28, 29 June 2008 Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, Burbank CA–Come ready to share your most difficult Virginia genealogy research challenge with me and with Afton Reintjes and Kathryn Bassett who will accompany me.
   
3. Attend my session: Saturday 9:30 to 10:30 am Tracing a Southern Pedigree: NEW search strategies in little-known and overlooked sources to help you by-pass burned courthouses, gaps in vital records, and ancestors always on the move. Also discussed new finding aids, state-wide indexes, and special research projects that enable you to locate where your ancestors settled: VA into NC, TN, KY, AR and on to California.  [I have 4 other topics I will speak on–see my speaking schedule or my blog Genealogy News Sheet for these topics.]
4. Browse the Vendor Hall to learn what is new. My Exhibitor’s Booth is #121. Here I will have 2 new volumes for New York and 2 new volumes for Virginia. The Virginia volumes are all new material written by me on unique Virginia jurisdictions and the records they create. And the many manuscript collections that may already include your genealogy–traced, documented, and waiting for you to discover your lineage. [This is a genealogist’s dream–that your most difficult lineage has been already been traced by someone. And it is documented and proven. Well, you’d accept even a sketched lineage that is documented so that you can quickly check the documents and determine how your ancestor is proven into that lineage. Wouldn’t you?]
5. Buy the powerful research tools that will enable you to remove the blocks to your genealogy progress. My most memorable conference was the one where each speaker had brought their books and articles for us to buy and take home after the conference was over. Even though I take very good notes, I still want the whole picture that the speaker obviously knows so well and has already shared in written format so that I can continue my study and success when I get home.

Plan now to attend Jamboree 2008. I am not the only speaker nor the only vendor. Three full days of presentations on the newest strategies and the sources that make those methods successful. And an exhibit hall full of vendors, all with the latest stuff to meet your genealogy challenges. Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com

AN ACT FOR THE EFFECTUAL SUPPRESSION OF VICE; AND RESTRAINT AND PUNISHMENT OF BLASPHEMOUS, WICKED, AND DISSOLUTE PERSONS, AND FOR PREVENTING INCESTUOUS MARRIAGES AND COPULATIONS.

Churchwardens in every parish within the colony must present any person guilty of any of the offences of the act, so that they may be prosecuted at the next court “after such offence or crime shall come to his or their knowledge.” This act was not designed to circumvent the actions of the grand juries of the colony, however

Any offence of blasphemy or irreligion must be heard by the General Court.

If any person shall marry within the LEVITICAL DEGREES PROHIBITED BY THE LAWS OF ENGLAND, they shall be separated by “difinitive sentence or judgement of the general court; AND THE CHILDREN PROCEEDING OR PROCREATED UNDER SUCH UNLAWFUL MARRIAGE SHALL BE ACCOUNTED ILLEGITIMATE.”

The Levitical Degrees prohibited marriage between:  son and his mother or step-mother; brother to sister; father to his son’s or daughter’s daughter; son marrying the daughter of his father “begotten and born of his step-mother” [half-sister]; son and aunt, either father’s or mother’s sister, or his uncle’s wife; father marrying son’s wife; brother marrying his brother’s wife; man marrying his wife’s daughter or his wife’s son’s or daughter’s daughter’ or his wife’s sister.  [The two highlighted prohibitions seem not to have been enforced then or now.]

The General Court punished the offending couple with fines “as they see fit” and caused the couple to separate, and give bond “that they will not thereafter cohabit.”

Any persons “within the [Levitical] degrees aforesaid” who without marrying copulated, would be tried, convicted in any court of record and fined at the discretion of the court.  They must also give bond, or “be publickly whipt on his or her bare back, not exceeding 39 lashes.” These offenders would be jailed until they give bond with “sufficient surety, for their future separation.”

Fines arising from this prosecution would be used for the poor of the parish where the offence was committed.

Was this law enforced? 

Note that the father is not prohibited from marrying his daughter in this statement.

I am an avid court records researcher.  And I have never seen a reference to enforcement of any of these provisions.  Yet, it seems sure that the passage of such a thorough statement of possible vices would be unnecessary unless someone had already transgressed the old church code.  Society itself may have enforced the provisions by not allowing children or other family members to transgress the code.

Have any of you readers seen a reference to enforcement of these provisions?  In England, the Church courts would be the place of enforcement.  Virginia did not have church courts–so any enforcement would have to be in the civil courts of record. Virginia was able to meld church and civil laws within their civil jurisdictions better than any other colony.

I will be happy to print any references you might have to share from your own research or searches for professional clients.  Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com

PS  The flu bug got me! And I am behind.  Please accept my apology.

PPS  I am behind in answering email and shipping stuff.  Please give me the rest of the week to get caught up.  I did a lot of reading in Virginia periodicals and books while I had no energy to do anything else.  So stay tuned.  I have some really great Virginia materials to share.

I’m a small, short woman and I could not stand upright in the hold of the Discovery when I visited Jamestown several years ago.  I was amazed–at how small the ships were.  You can read dimensions, see drawings and photographs of the replicas, and nothing registers quite like being there.

The book I want to introduce you to, if you haven’t yet discovered it, is John T. Phillips, II, The Historian’s Guide to Loudoun County Virginia, Volume I:  Colonial Laws of Virginia and County Court Orders, 1757-1766.  1996.  Available from Colonial Laws Project, Goose Creek Productions, PO Box 776, Leesburg VA 20178-0776.   The book is available for sale from the Thomas Balch Library (part of the Leesburg Public Library), 208 West Market St, Leesburg VA 20176.

1757-1766 is an important time period in the Northern Neck of Virginia.  Loudoun County was established in 1757.  And county court was functioning under a major revision of the Virginia law code in 1748.  Author Phillips describes the importance of the parish jurisdiction with its parallel responsibility for the moral discipline of the county.  Indeed, the original county boundaries were almost exactly co-terminous with the parish lines.

Each section of the book includes a discussion of the law in force.  Then extracts from the county court records.  Then lists of local county and parish officers, by name, rank, and years of service.  Landowners, ordinaries, grist mills, bridges, fords, and ferries are listed.

A glossary of legal terms clarifies many of the extracts from the court records themselves:

1. Family relations, as stated in the record, are extracted intact.  For example, “relict–survivor of a married pair, whether husband or wife.”  First time I realized that a relict could refer to the husband.
2. An important aspect of land ownership in the Northern Neck, the Fairfax Proprietary, is manorial custom.  For example, among the court records you will find the enforcement of the “lease for lives.”  Most land leases are set up to end after three named parties have been admitted to the land holding.  This is part of the English legal system operating in Virginia.  This customary tenure is also found in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and some parts of Connecticut where the old manorial system was established.  The genealogical advantage of the lease for lives, is that the names of the three parties are given in each transaction.  And the three parties are almost always related.
3. Feme Covert–an underage woman who married without permission were legally disabled from possessing or selling property she is an heir to.  This important legality protects the family property from slipping into the hands of unscrupulous men.

Two excellent indexes provide quick, every name access to ancestors,  and places/subjects.

A detailed Chronology for Colonial Virginia, 1561-1776, ends with this entry:

“During the Revolution, Israel Pemberton and other Quaker leaders from Pennsylvania are banished into internal exile in western Virginia for refusing to take a Loyalty Oath.  Virginia adopted similar measures.”

This note includes some very intriguing “what if’s?” for me:

1. “What if…” this applied to all conscientious objectors?  Mennonites, Dunkards, and other German anabaptist groups common on the Virginia frontier?
2. “What if…” this will help us link ancestors of the same surname to Quaker origins in Eastern Virginia?
3. “What if…” this ruling overrides the recall of white settlers from areas west of the mountains when Virginia took over military control of western forts?  These recalls brought the settlers to Bedford County from southwestern Virginia and western North Carolina, including Kentucky and Tennessee.  And from west of the Laurel Hills into Frederick and Loudoun counties.

I highly recommend The Historian’s Guide to Loudoun County Virginia to all Virginia genealogists–regardless where their ancestry resided.  For there are many such provocative details from the Virginia law code included herein–as well as over 2500 Colonial ancestors.  Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com

Virginia research completed:

Coffinberry-Lewis

Jacobs-Martin

1. Albemarle
2. Bath
3. Berkeley
4. Botetourt
5. Brooke
6. Grayson
7. Greenbrier
8. Hampshire
9. Hardy
10. Harrison
11. Kanawha
12. Loudoun
13. Lunenburg
14. Madison
15. Monongalia
16. Monroe
17. Ohio
18. Patrick
19. Pendleton
20. Randolph
21. Rockbridge
22. Rockingham
23. Russell
24. Tazewell
25. Washington
26. Wood,
27. Wythe (no 1790)
28. Richmond (City)
29. Winchester (City)

West Virginia counties are missing, and some of the most difficult counties to make connections into and out of.  So other printed sources and a search of the original tax lists may be in order.  Searching tax lists as a first attack on the evidence in any Virginia county is a good strategy:  Here are just a few of the evidences you can expect to find.

You can pick up 16-21 year old males in the tax lists. And for those lists that do not include this category, you can watch for multiple tithables in the same household. When the extra tithable disappears, look for a new male on the tax list.

You can spot new widows and look for the missing male on the list. This will usually lead you to her husband’s name. Then you can look for his death date, burial information, and his estate records.

Watch especially for undivided estates where the whole estate is being taxed as William White’s heirs. When it begins to be divided, portions will appear on the tax list under the new owners.  These entries will disclose sons-in-law, cousins, nephews, and brothers-in-law–most of them with surnames previously unknown to you.  Take the new owners names and check them against the marriage records.

Watch also for the male who marries the widow and is now responsible for the payment of the taxes on her deceased husband’s property.  Virginia was good to women–they became healthier, their skin glowed, and they often outlived 3 or 4 and even sometimes 5 husbands.  Tracking their new surnames is the trick–the tax records can aid you in this research task.

New Virginia Index:  1721-1776 (includes Indentured Servants)

Computer Search of Northern Neck Proprietary Rent Rolls:  Berkeley, Culpeper, Dunmore (Shenandoah), Fairfax, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Northumberland, Prince William, Richmond, Stafford, and Westmoreland counties.   Order your search from The Genealogical Institute, Inc.,  PO Box 129, Tremonton UT 84337.   $10.00 per surname; $12.00 for 3 or more surnames.  Allow 10 days for response.

Interpreting the Results

Many Indentured Servants settled in these counties before the American Revolution.  When they make their first rent payments, subtract 7-15 years and look for their importation/immigration. These men needed a year or two after they completed their service to acquire their own land on which they paid rents.

English servants served until age 21 or the length of their indentures  Irish servants served until age 25!  Watch for this differentiation!  Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com

PS  Research clients:  Check my Genealogy News Sheet for the posting of those research projects where the research is completed, the report compiled, and only the photocopying done.  I do not send out a report without copying it first–for security, in case the report gets lost.  For convenience, in case a relative wants their own copy–I can provide it, with your permission.  For reference, when you renew so that I can continue the searches on that particular lineage–I don’t want to duplicate the searches.

I will post the main surnames in each project, so you will know about when to expect your report to arrive.  Readers of each post can also see what surnames are being researched and if they have surnames in common, they can be referred to you.  And it will save me ton of time contacting each of you individually–time I can spend on the research itself.

If any of you object–let me know, quickly.

Using a 1782 census or tax list, then depending upon the 1810 census or 1820 census is too broad a span to track these Virginia families–by 1810 and 1820, many of them are in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio. The official 1790 compilations used only 1782-1785 (with a few lists in 1786-87), based on whichever list was the first to survive.

Every time I used Nettie Schreiner-Yantis’s 1787 Census of Virginia, I wished someone would do a1790-1800 statewide “census” based on tax lists to fill the destructive gap left by the missing census schedules for Virginia during this critical time period. Nettie estimated that between 95% and 98% of the free white males are included in her 1781 Census of Virginia.

Steve and Bunny Binns to the rescue!

1790/1800 Virginia Tax List Census database is FREE online at http://binnsgenealogy.com/VirginiaTaxListCensus/

[Editor’s NOTE:  Yikes!  I just tried this link and got “no site found.”   Suggestion:  Google “1790/1800 Virginia Tax List Census.”  It comes up with the URL above. At least you get access to the database.]

The reconstructed census years are based on tax lists 1788-1792 and 1798-1801–depending upon which list is available for which counties. You can search by ancestor’s specific name, by surname, by year, and by county. Or you can use the index provded by freefind.com.

Of the 81 counties and 7 cities in 1790, 62 counties and 5 cities are imaged and indexed. Of the 91 counties and 7 cities in 1800, 65 counties and 5 cities are imaged and indexed. The introduction to the database includes a county-by-county chart of the sources used and the counties not included. Indexed results are displayed 10 entries per screen. And each name is linked to the digital image for that entry. Special identifiers used by the tax collector to keep residents straight are included in the index.

You can also buy the databases in whole or segments from their online store.

The tax lists are actually more complete than the original census enumerations. And they provide a more precise description of the residents in each county. The census listed head of house, the tax list lists every white male over age 16–with many of the 16-21 year olds named. And several county lists include Black slaves by name.

In 1790, Virginia and Kentucky–which was still part of Virginia–had a combined population of 1/5th the total of the whole United States! And these lists include independent cities–a jurisdiction usually not separately listed in other states.

Those exempted from the actual payment of taxes may still be listed with their property anyway, with no tax shown. By law, exemptions included white women (married and single) although widows responsible for the tax owed on the estates of their deceased husbands are listed. Non-citizens of Virginia and non-residents of the county who held lands and property in other counties were taxed only once–at their residence.

Other exemptions included government employees, presidents and professors at William and Mary College, Anglican ministers, military officers, ferry owners, and the old and infirm who could petition the court to be set levy free. Also exempt were persons who were awarded this bounty for extraordinary service to Virginia or their local counties.

I would do many things for my state and my county if I could be set levy free–wouldn’t you? Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle. http://www.arleneeakle.com

PS Remember: we offer you the latest strategies to research, organize, and prove your family tree. In our books. In our seminar presentations. In our field research. In our consultations. In our blogs–both the Genealogy News Sheet and “Virginia is for Lovers” of genealogy.

1. Kegley. F.B. Virginia Frontier: The Beginning of the Southwest, the Roanoke of Colonial Days, 1740-1783. Roanoke VA: Southwest Virginia Historical Society, 1938. Also available on microfilm, FHL #1421867.
2. Kegley, Mary B., and F.B. Kegley. Early Adventurers on the Western Waters: The New River of Virginia in Pioneer Days, 1745-1800. Volume I–Montgomery County; Volume II: Pulaski County. Mary B. Kegley wrote volumes 3-5 (1995-1998), much of which covers later periods of time. They too are valuable.
3. Summers, Lewis Preston. Annals of Southwestern Virginia, 1760-1800. 2 vols. Abingdon VA: Lewis Preston Summers, 1929.  Also available on microfilm, FHL  Vol I, #0547211; Vol 2, #0873832.
4. ________. History of Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786. Richmond VA: J.L. Hill Printing Co., 1903. Reprinted, 1968 and 1971. Also available on microfilm, FHL #0162046.

“…the thesis of this work is that the original records–whether military or civil, wills or deeds, surveys or grants–will reveal the history of the people, if we ‘let the records speak for themselves.’” Mary B. Kegley.

Ms Kegley goes on to say, “An Intensive and extensive search for records pertaining to the period and territory has been made, many original documents have been found, some of which are here reproduced. Many facts, somewhat at variance with impressions now held, have been discovered and are here set down. The locations of many places hitherto unknown have been determined by following the surveyors from the beginning, and are here plainly marked. The names of the men who came into the settlement and the entries they made have been unearthed and are here recorded. The civic and military movements of the people have been minutely followed and their courses here described. The participants in the border conflicts have been sought out and their service records are here preserved.”

While her comments were written to describe the Kegley work, they apply equally well to the work of Lewis Preston Summers upon which she draws.

I am compiling a Genealogy Resource Checklist for Southwestern Virginia based upon the numerous records and sources included in these volumes. Until I get that finished, I encourage you to search the name lists in these classics. For they include persons on their way to Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and down through Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and into Missouri. Even people who end up in Michigan and Wisconsin.

These western Virginia counties appointed surveyors to locate and plat property received by warrant through cabin rights, tomahawk rights, meritorious service rights, military rights, importation rights, treasury rights, corn rights, and royal awards. For a long time, we just read about surveyors’ books. And drew upon the surveys reproduced in considerable detail in these volumes.

Here is a sample of some entries that interested me:

Jeremiah Doaty, 280 acres Cedar Branch of Reed Creek, November 13, 1768

Jeremiah Doaty, 110 New River, April 14, 1769

David Doaty, 24 acres, April 14, 1769

Source: William Preston Surveys for Loyal Company on New River, Preston Family of Virginia Papers, Library of Congress, noted as Memoranda of Surveys, Item #581. Printed in Kegley, Volume I, pp. 41-42.

Mary B. Kegley, true to her vision for Early Adventurers, includes records from archives and libraries not usually identified. How could I know that the Doaty entries were recorded in William Preston’s Papers?

Now, many of these valuable records, which may record the first instance of your ancestor’s appearance on the frontier, are also available on microfilm through the Family History Library and the Virginia Library. Some have even been extracted and indexed–Albemarle county by Chester R. Johnson and Buckingham County by Eric G. Grundset. Most of the originals are still found in the county courthouses or their archives.

Check the Family History Library Catalog online, Keyword search: Surveyors Books for both original and printed versions currently available. Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle. http://www.arleneeakle.com

PS Remember this strategy to begin a bibliography of specific records to search–check the FHL Catalog online for titles, authors, microfilm publications and their availability. Then check Google and World Cat databases for versions online and the format nearest your home.

PPS Genealogy Resource Checklist of Southwestern Virginia coming soon. Stay connected to this blog. If it is too long for the blog, I’ll circulate it as a FREE Report. Watch for my announcement soon.

It was Grove’s intent to reprint some of the original fugitive pieces and then to draw upon materials from PA, WV, KY, and Daniel Boone then expanding into the Eastern US and across the Mississippi. The beginning issues would provide the Reconstructed Census–1772-1810, then 1700-1774 including names omitted from the years 1772-73 in the first issue, then 1830, 1840, 1850 censuses of Berkeley County. And a Cemetery List and Gravestone Collection and the Catholic Baptismal Records were scheduled for future issues.

The only issue of this periodical I have been able to find, is the Reconstructed Census, 1774-1810: Berkeley County, Virginia. This very useful compilation includes the Rent Rolls for Berkeley County, 1774-1781, Tax List 1782, Tithable List 1783, Poll List 1788, Tax List 1792, and Tax List 1802. Thomas Jefferson’s map of 1783 is folded loose within the publication. (Even the FH Library does not have a copy.) Copies are for sale through Google Book Search.

Grove is very knowledgeable about Berkeley County, and did publish earlier versions of the 1810 (1967) and 1820(1969) census schedules. In the Preface to this January 1970 issue, he identifies the tax divisions by boundary. Two alphabetical indexes provide access to places and inhabitants names.

I found the copy I used at the Library of Virginia in Richmond. Use this reconstructed census version with:

1. 1787 Census (3-volume printing of the 1787 tax rolls for all of the counties of Virginia, including those which will become Kentucky and West Virginia compiled by Netti Schreiner-Yantis, Springfield VA: Genealogical Books in Print, 1987. She also issued this census in separate county booklets.
2. 1790 Census (two versions: a. Virginia Tax Payers, 1782-1787–Other than Those Published by the United States Census Bureau, compiled by Augusta B. Fothergill and John Mark Naugle, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1971 and reprints; Heads of Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790: Records of the State Enumerations: 1782 to 1785. United States Census Bureau, various printings by Genealogical Publishing Company.
3. 1782-1785 List of Inhabitants (39 counties and City of Williamsburg) compiled by David S. Hardin, typescript and original documents (damaged or hard to read). 1 microfilm reel, FHL #1854091.
4. Original tax rolls, Berkeley County (Land books, 1782-1810, 2 microfilm reels, FHL #531232-233; Personal property rolls, 1783-1813, 3 microfilm reels, FHL #2024478-480 [NEW at FHL! AE]–until 1787 only one tax division, in 1788 two divisions were created.) Also available on microfilm at the Library of Virginia.
5. See Virginia Genealogy Blog, March 2008–”Virginia Tax and Rent Rolls, A Checklist” and Arlene Eakle’s Genealogy Blog, January 2008, “The 1782 Census of Virginia.”

These versions give you alternate readings, additional names, and a reality check on the total list of inhabitants for any county in Virginia. Your favorite Virginia genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://www.arleneeakle.com

PS Remember that we established a non-profit library to receive those materials which would otherwise be thrown away. Your mother or grandmother or aunt or great-uncle spent precious time collecting and writing and preserving information about your ancestors and mine. Their work needs to be preserved.

#1 Reason–they collected information on their OWN people, or those they thought were their own. When you go through a book or a family file or a microfilm copy of the 1782 census, you encounter all the persons recorded in that item. You have to make the decision as to which ones belong to you. Your relatives may already have done the hard work.

And scattered around the world are your cousins eagerly trying to find the same stuff.

PPS If you know of a collection, big or small, that needs a home–you have found one! Send it to the Genealogy Library Center, Inc., Location Address, if by UPS: 875 N 300 E, REAR, Tremonton UT 84337. ( This is my house. My front entry way still has several hundred books and 32 stacked chairs! waiting to go to my building.  The front porch has no covering to protect the delivery from the rain.  My back entry is through a large covered patio with a table to set the materials on so if it is raining, they don’t get wet when I am not at home to receive them.) Mailing Address, if by USPS: P.O. Box 40, Garland UT 84312-0040. (My postmaster knows to keep them safe until I call by for them.)