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Virginia Biographies: Difference between revisions

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An excellent list of early Virginians is in:
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True, Ransom B., ed. ''Biographical Dictionary of Early Virginia, 1607-1660''. Richmond, Virginia: Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, 1982. (On 22 Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=392288&disp=Biographical+dictionary+of+early+Virgini%20%20&columns=*,0,0 6332718].) Includes more than 100,000 entries with references to 30,000 people who are mentioned in [[Portal:Virginia|Virginia]] wills , deeds , court orders, histories, and Virginia Company records. ''A supplemental Guide'' (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=392288&disp=Biographical+dictionary+of+early+Virgini%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 975.5 D3bd 1985; film 1750757 item 2]1) contains an explanation of the dictionary and a listing of the sources with their codes.
== Online Resources ==


You can also request information from the:  
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4646 Virginia Biographical Encyclopedia], ($), index/images
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3111 Virginia Apprentices, 1623-1800], ($), index/images
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6398 Virginia Biography, Volume I-II], ($), index/images
*[http://www.learnwebskills.com/family/countyhistories3.htm#va County and Town Histories], includes biographies
*[http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433082309307;view=1up;seq=9 Men of Mark in Virginia: Ideals of American Life; a collection of biographies of the leading men in the state Vol. 1], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433082309315;view=1up;seq=7 Vol. 2], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433082309323;view=1up;seq=9 Vol. 3], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433082309331;view=1up;seq=11 Vol. 4], [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044097932396;view=1up;seq=11 Vol. 5]
*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48240 Virginia and Virginians, Vol. I], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48241 Vol. II], ($), index/images.
*[http://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/virginia-colonial-planters-published-1922 Virginia, Colonial Planters], ($), index/images
*[http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t2g73nt4s;view=1up;seq=7 Some emigrants to Virginia : memoranda in regard to several hundred emigrants to Virginia during the colonial period whose parentage is shown or former residence indicated by authentic records], e-book


Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities<br>204 West Franklin Street<br>Richmond, Virginia 23220-5012<br>Phone: 804-648-1889 <br>Fax: 804-775-0802<br>http://www.apva.org/  
==Biographies in Local Histories==
*Biographical information is often found in '''state, county, and town histories'''.
*Towards the end of the 19th century, began publishers soliciting short biographical/family histories from local founding families, offering to publish them in an upcoming local history. This then became an incentive for family members to buy a copy of the book.
*Families represented were '''not necessarily prominent'''. Practically everyone living there, especially in the Midwest, counted as an early settler.
*These biographies often start with '''the first member of the family to settle in the area''', and detail their descendants at the time of publishing. They may tell '''where the family moved in from'''. Children's marriages often are given, with '''maiden names''' included.
====Finding Biographies====
*The [[Virginia, United States Genealogy#Counties|'''county Wiki page''']] lists several county histories. It also lists '''local libraries, and societies''' which probably have copies of local histories.
*Many histories are no longer under copyright and can be found in the following '''online, digitized book collections'''. Search with keywords "History" and "the name of your locality" (state, county, or town).
**[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/ '''FamilySearch Books''']
**[https://www.worldcat.org/ '''World Cat''']
**[https://www.hathitrust.org/ '''HathiTrust''']
**[https://archive.org/ '''Internet Archive''']
*The FamilySearch library has extensive collections of these local histories. Many are digitized. Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog '''FamilySearch Catalog'''] under your locality for the topics "Biography" and "History".


An index to biographical sketches&nbsp; in several hundred local histories and genealogies is:
== Biographical Dictionaries and Encyclopedias  ==


Wardell, P.G. ''Timesaving Aid to Virginia-West Virginia Ancestors: A Genealogical Index of Surnames from Published Sources''. Two Volumes. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Publishing, 1985. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=510207&disp=Timesaving+aid+to+Virginia%2DWest+Virgin%20%20&columns=*,0,0 975 D22w])
*McCartney, Martha W. ''Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers 1607-1635: A Biographical Dictionary''. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub. Co., 2007.) {{FSC|1384461|item|disp=FS Catalog book 975.5 D36m}}.<br>For information about Virginia's earliest colonists, McCartney's work is a great place to start.


Other important biographical sources are:
*True, Ransom B., ed. ''Biographical Dictionary of Early Virginia, 1607-1660''. (Richmond, Virginia: Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, 1982.) {{FSC|392288|item|disp=FS Library fiche 6332718 (first of 22)}} Includes more than 100,000 entries with references to 30,000 people who are mentioned in [[Virginia, United States Genealogy|Virginia]] wills, deeds, court orders, histories, and Virginia Company records. ''A supplemental Guide'' {{FSC|392288|item|disp=FS Library film 1750757 item 2; book 975.5 D3bd 1985}} contains an explanation of the dictionary and a listing of the sources with their codes. An excellent list of early Virginians.


Brock, Robert Alonzo. ''Virginia and Virginians''. Richmond and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty, 1888. (Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=240108&disp=Virginia+and+Virginians%20%20&columns=*,0,0 897042 items 2-3].) An index is on Family History Library fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=437234&disp=Index+to+Virginia+and+Virginians%2C+emin%20%20&columns=*,0,0 6048346-47]. Lists five to ten prominent citizens from each county with early governors and generals.  
*Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. ''Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography''. Five Volumes. New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publication, 1915. Includes multi-generation family histories.<br>
:*Vols. I-V online at: [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/68071 FamilySearch Digital Library], [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/008686749 Hathitrust]. <br>
''Also at:''
:*Vol. I: [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediavir03unkngoog/mode/2up Internet Archive] <br>
:*Vol. I-II: [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6398/ Ancestry] ($), index/images. Although same as the ''Encyclopedia'', Ancestry has named this collection Virginia Biography, Volume I-II <br>
:*Vol. II: [https://www.archive.org/details/encyclopediavir06unkngoog Internet Archive], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48229 Ancestry] ($), index/images.<br>
:*Vol. III: [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediavir05unkngoog Internet Archive], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48230 Ancestry] ($), index/images.<br>
:*Vol. IV: [https://www.archive.org/details/encyclopediavir07unkngoog Internet Archive], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48231 Ancestry] ($), index/images.<br>
:*Vol. V: [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofvi05tyle/page/n7/mode/2up Internet Archive], [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=48232 Ancestry] ($), index/images.<br>


Foote, William Henry. ''Sketches of Virginia: Historical and Biographical''. Two Volumes. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: William S. Martien, 1850-56. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=70867&disp=Sketches+of+Virginia%20%20&columns=*,0,0 975.5 H2f]; Volume 1 on film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=70867&disp=Sketches+of+Virginia++ 1000631]; Volume 2 on film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=383012&disp=Sketches+of+Virginia%2C+historical+and+b++ 1598334 item 27].) Presbyterian history, ministers, and families. Volume one is indexed in ''An Index to Sketches of Virginia: Historical and Biographical''by William Henry Foot (Richmond, Virginia: The Library, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, 1966; Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=520891&disp=An+Index+to+Sketches+of+Virginia+histori%20%20&columns=*,0,0 975.5 H2f index).]
*Wardell, P.G. ''Timesaving Aid to Virginia-West Virginia Ancestors: A Genealogical Index of Surnames from Published Sources''. Two Volumes. (Athens, Georgia: Iberian Publishing, 1985.) {{FSC|510207|item|disp=FS Catalog book 975 D22w}}An index to biographical sketches in several hundred local histories and genealogies.


Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. ''Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography''. Five Volumes. New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publication, 1915. (Family History Library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=68071&disp=Encyclopedia+of+Virginia+biography%20%20&columns=*,0,0 book 975.5 D3tl; film 1000632]) Includes multi-generation family histories.
== Statewide Information  ==


The Family History Library also has:  
*[https://preservationvirginia.org/ Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities]<br>204 West Franklin Street<br>Richmond, Virginia 23220-5012<br>Phone: 804-648-1889 <br>Fax: 804-775-0802


French, S. Bassett. ''Biographical Sketches'' [of Virginia]. Richmond, Virginia: Virginia State Library, 1949? (Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=365067&disp=Biographical+sketches+%5Bof+Virginia%5D%20%20&columns=*,0,0 029664-67]) Contains brief handwritten sketches of persons born from the 1700s to 1800s, sometimes with birth and death dates.
== FamilySearch Library Collection  ==


[[Category:Virginia]]
*Brock, Robert Alonzo. ''Virginia and Virginians''. (Richmond and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty, 1888.) {{FSC|240108|title-id|disp=FS Library film 897042 items 2-3}} An index is found on {{FSC|437234|item|disp=FS Library fiche 6048346-47}}. It lists five to ten prominent citizens from each county with early governors and generals.
 
*Foote, William Henry. ''Sketches of Virginia: Historical and Biographical''. Two Volumes. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: William S. Martien, 1850-56.) {{FSC|70867|item|disp=FS Library film 1000631; book 975.5 H2f}} Digital version available through FamilySearch Catalog entry; Volume 2 on {{FSC|383012|item|disp=FS Library film 1598334 item 27}}.
 
*Foote, William Henry ''An Index to Sketches of Virginia: Historical and Biographical'' (Richmond, Virginia: The Library, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, 1966) {{FSC|520891|item|disp=FS Catalog book 975.5 H2f (index).}}Presbyterian history, ministers, and families.
 
*French, S. Bassett. ''Biographical Sketches'' [of Virginia]. (Richmond, Virginia: Virginia State Library, 1949?) {{FSC|365067|item|disp=FS Library film 029664-67}} Contains brief handwritten sketches of persons born from the 1700s to 1800s, sometimes with birth and death dates.
 
*The Family History has a collection of county histories which include biographical information. To access biographies in the FamilySearch Catalog, use a Place-name Search for:
 
:Virginia - BIOGRAPHIES
:Virginia, [COUNTY] - BIOGRAPHY
:Virginia, [COUNTY] - HISTORY
:Virginia, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - BIOGRAPHY
:Virginia, [COUNTY]. [TOWN] - HISTORY
 
<br>{{Virginia|Virginia}}
 
[[Category:Virginia, United States|Biography]][[Category:United States Biography]]

Latest revision as of 10:11, 19 April 2024

Virginia Wiki Topics
Virginia flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Virginia Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

Online Resources

Biographies in Local Histories

  • Biographical information is often found in state, county, and town histories.
  • Towards the end of the 19th century, began publishers soliciting short biographical/family histories from local founding families, offering to publish them in an upcoming local history. This then became an incentive for family members to buy a copy of the book.
  • Families represented were not necessarily prominent. Practically everyone living there, especially in the Midwest, counted as an early settler.
  • These biographies often start with the first member of the family to settle in the area, and detail their descendants at the time of publishing. They may tell where the family moved in from. Children's marriages often are given, with maiden names included.

Finding Biographies

  • The county Wiki page lists several county histories. It also lists local libraries, and societies which probably have copies of local histories.
  • Many histories are no longer under copyright and can be found in the following online, digitized book collections. Search with keywords "History" and "the name of your locality" (state, county, or town).
  • The FamilySearch library has extensive collections of these local histories. Many are digitized. Search the FamilySearch Catalog under your locality for the topics "Biography" and "History".

Biographical Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

  • McCartney, Martha W. Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers 1607-1635: A Biographical Dictionary. (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Pub. Co., 2007.) FS Catalog book 975.5 D36m.
    For information about Virginia's earliest colonists, McCartney's work is a great place to start.
  • True, Ransom B., ed. Biographical Dictionary of Early Virginia, 1607-1660. (Richmond, Virginia: Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, 1982.) FS Library fiche 6332718 (first of 22) Includes more than 100,000 entries with references to 30,000 people who are mentioned in Virginia wills, deeds, court orders, histories, and Virginia Company records. A supplemental Guide FS Library film 1750757 item 2; book 975.5 D3bd 1985 contains an explanation of the dictionary and a listing of the sources with their codes. An excellent list of early Virginians.
  • Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography. Five Volumes. New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publication, 1915. Includes multi-generation family histories.

Also at:

  • Wardell, P.G. Timesaving Aid to Virginia-West Virginia Ancestors: A Genealogical Index of Surnames from Published Sources. Two Volumes. (Athens, Georgia: Iberian Publishing, 1985.) FS Catalog book 975 D22wAn index to biographical sketches in several hundred local histories and genealogies.

Statewide Information

FamilySearch Library Collection

  • Foote, William Henry An Index to Sketches of Virginia: Historical and Biographical (Richmond, Virginia: The Library, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia, 1966) FS Catalog book 975.5 H2f (index).Presbyterian history, ministers, and families.
  • French, S. Bassett. Biographical Sketches [of Virginia]. (Richmond, Virginia: Virginia State Library, 1949?) FS Library film 029664-67 Contains brief handwritten sketches of persons born from the 1700s to 1800s, sometimes with birth and death dates.
  • The Family History has a collection of county histories which include biographical information. To access biographies in the FamilySearch Catalog, use a Place-name Search for:
Virginia - BIOGRAPHIES
Virginia, [COUNTY] - BIOGRAPHY
Virginia, [COUNTY] - HISTORY
Virginia, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - BIOGRAPHY
Virginia, [COUNTY]. [TOWN] - HISTORY


v • d• e
Links to Virginia-related articles (see also West Virginia-related articles)
Topics
Counties
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gone to WV
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Colonial
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Major
Repositories
Bristol Public Library · Germanna Foundation Library · Handley Regional Library · Historical Society of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) · Historical Society of Washington, D.C. · John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library at Colonial Williamsburg · Jones Memorial Library · Library of Congress (Washington, DC) · Library of Virginia · Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library · Maryland State Archives (Annapolis, MD) · National Archives I (Washington, DC) · National Archives II (College Park, MD) · National Archives at Philadelphia (PA) · National Genealogical Society · New York Public Library (New York City, NY) · Pennsylvania State Archives (Harrisburg, PA) · Portsmouth Public Library · Roanoke County Public Library · Salisbury University Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture (Salisbury, MD) · Santa Cruz Public Library Downtown (Santa Cruz, CA) · University of Virginia Library · Virginia Department of Health · Virginia Historical Society · Virginia Theological Seminary · Washington National Records Center (Suitland, MD) · William and Mary College Swem Library
Migration
Routes
Routes: Chesapeake Bay • James River • Potomac River • Rappahannock River • York River • Chesapeake and Ohio Canal • Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad • Fall Line Road (or Southern Road) • Great Indian Warpath • Great Trading Path • Great Valley Road • Kanawha Trail • King's Highway • National Road (Cumberland Road) • New River and Southern Trail • Occaneechi Path • Old Cherokee Path • Old Northwestern Turnpike • Pamunkey-New River Trail • Pioneer Road • Richmond Road • Richmond-Williamsburg Road • Saura-Saponi Trail • Secondary Coast Road • Upper Road • Wilderness Road • Wilmington, Highpoint, and Northern Trail • Ports: Atlantic Coast Ports • Accomack • Alexandria • Belvoir Plantation • Bermuda Hundred • Dumfries • Falmouth • Fredericksburg • Hampton • Jamestown • Leedstown • Norfolk • Port Royal • Portsmouth • South Quay • Suffolk • Tappahannock (aka Hobb's Hole) • Urbanna • Williamsburg • Yorktown
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