Kinsearching May 20, 2007

RELEASE DATE: MAY 20, 2007



KINSEARCHING

by

Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
 

     If you are a descendant or relative of the family, you may want to attend the annual TOLLIVER reunion on June 22-23, 2007, in Morehead, KY. For further details, see "Kinsearching" column dated February 18, 2007.


     Experienced genealogists know history and genealogy are intricately intertwined. Good family research demands a knowledge of the history of any area where you are seeking data on your forebears. Because of this fact, many individuals will welcome the reprint of A HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA by W. W. Scott. Originally published in 1907, the volume presents the history of the county from its formation in 1734 to the end of Reconstruction in 1870.

     As an introduction to the background of Orange County, Scott begins his book with brief information about the beginnings of the colony of Virginia and the "genealogy" of the county prior to its organization as a separate entity. He then quickly proceeds to more detailed material in chapters about such topics as the county's physical features, Indian antiquities, courthouses, churches, citizen participation in various wars, Germanna Colony, social and economic life, crimes and punishments, and historic homes. One chapter contains biographical sketches of some of the county's prominent men, which include presidents James MADISON and Zachary TAYLOR. Although the history only comes up to the year 1870, Scott inserts a chapter that summarizes fiscal and statistical data from 1870 to 1907.

     Scattered throughout the narrative is genealogical information such as the names of the first German settlers of the Germanna Colony. Family researchers will be particularly interested in the book's appendices. They are composed of lists which provide the names of persons who either imported themselves or were imported into the county between the years 1736 and 1756; people on the 1782 census of the county; individuals receiving military commissions, 1734 - 1783; men who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1813, and the Civil War; and members of the Montpelier Guards during the John Brown Raid in 1859, various conventions from 1775 through 1902, and the colonial House of Burgesses. If you have ancestors from this area, you may gain valuable clues for further research by reading A HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA.

     The 292-page paperback includes a preface, explanations (a glossary of archaic terms), a map, and drawings or photographs of buildings. Names in the main text are usually indexed; names in the appendices are either in alphabetical order or not indexed at all. To the book's price of $34.50, buyers should add the cost for postage and handling charges. For U. S. postal mail, the cost is $4 for one book and $2.00 for each additional copy; for UPS, the cost is $6 for one copy and $2.50 for each additional book. The volume (item order #5275) may be purchased by check, MasterCard, or Visa from Clearfield Company, 3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Suite 260, Baltimore, Maryland 21211 (for phone orders, call toll free 1-800-296-6687; fax 1-410-752-8492; website www.genealogical.com).


     Lea Peacock, HCR1, Box 5, Roaring Springs, TX 79256 (phone 806-348-7286;e-mail [email protected]) is helping the First United Methodist Church of Roaring Springs locate descendants of the church's four charter member families. Descendants of three families have been located but information is still needed on descendants of James C. and Molly KING. Their son, Fred C. KING, had a son Joe Bruce KING (deceased) and two daughters whose names are thought to be Bonnie Sue and Linda. Can anyone help?


     Charles N. Ferguson, 811 South Market, Shawnee, OK 74801 is seeking the names of the parents, wife, and children, the birth dates of the children, and the middle initial of John MCCRACKEN, born about 1864 in Texas and died 5 April 1939 in Gainesville, Cooke Co., TX. He was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Gainesville. On 10 April 1934, he was living in a county home on Rice Street in Gainesville.


     Bonnie Bright Johannes, 5594 North 10th, Apt. 103, Fresno, CA 93710-6586 (e-mail: [email protected]) would appreciate information about Richard Louis ROBERTS, who died in Sweetwater, TX. Johannes is also interested in the HOUCK (and variant spellings) family of Gallia Co., OH.


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