Need Help Reading Old Colonial Handwriting?

17th century dress styles

Help Reading Old Colonial Handwriting - Yesterday Newsletter
The above article will probably assist you in reading the old handwriting in documents such as wills, estates, deeds. 

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Index to Virginia Wills and Estates

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Genealogy Holiday Discount

Over the holiday we are offering a discount for 1-year's membership in Georgia Pioneers (8 genealogy websites) for $135.00 (instead of $150.00).  To take advantage now please click here

Offer expires Monday, May 27th!

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Index to Virginia Wills and Estates

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1918 Anderson Six

1918 Anderson Six

Did you know that about the “Anderson Six” automobile? It was advertised and sold in Atlanta during 1918. Do you imagine yourself taking one of the first rides? There are so many interesting stories to learn about our ancestors. Just as we seem to speed quickly along the avenue of life, embracing new ideas and transitioning through new technology, our ancestors also had a grip on the changing fads. 1916 was the last days of Queen Elizabeth’s staunch Victorian Era, and our relatives stepped up for the changes. You don’t really think that your ancestors were boring old trolls who did little to bring out changes, do you? When tracing, it is always a good idea to read the newspapers of their times and see what was happening. Also, 8 Genealogy Websites features genealogy databases in 7 States! Why not check it out?

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Index to Virginia Wills and Estates

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Two Women to Jamestown #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

Two Women to Jamestown

Among the new arrivals between 1608 and 1610 were two women, Mistress Forrest and her maid, Ann Burras. Several months later, in the church at Jamestown, the maid was married to one of the settlers, John Laydon, a carpenter by trade. This marriage has been ranked as "the first recorded English marriage on the soil of the United States." Their child, Virginia, born the next year, was the first to be born at Jamestown

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Index to Virginia Wills and Estates

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The First Houses in Jamestown #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

The First Houses in Jamestown

During the spring months of 1608, the settlers cut cedar logs and prepared "clapboards" to be returned in a Supply vessel and sold in England. Later, when settlers discovered some golden colored soil, there seems to have been a mild "old rush." This all delayed early spring clearing and planting, and boded ill for the coming summer when Smith undertook additional explorations.

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Index to Virginia Wills and Estates

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Three Supply Vessels to Jamestown 1608 to 1610 #vagenealogy #virginiapioneersnet

Three Supply Vessels in Jamestown, 1608 to 1610

Captain Newport sailed the first Supply ship to Jamestown during January of 1608. It brought food, equipment, instructions, and news from home. Actually, two ships of the supply had left England together, but the second did not reach Virginia until April. Shortly afterwards, fire swept through the fort, consuming habitations, provisions, ammunition, some of the palisades and the books of Reverend Robert Hunt. This was a serious blow in the face of winter weather. Later, a blockhouse was built at the isthmus which connected the Island to the mainland for better control of the Indians, and a new fort was erected on a tidal creek across the river from Jamestown. With the help of Captain Newport and his sailors, the church, storehouse, palisades and cabins were partially rebuilt before he sailed again for England early in April. It is said that much more could have been done had he not consumed so many days in a pompous visit and lengthy negotiations with the wily Powhatan. Then, too, the ships had to be loaded for the return voyage, for the London backers were calling loudly for profitable produce.

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Index to Virginia Wills and Estates

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Where to Find Tidbits of Information concerning Jamestown Settlers #virginiapioneersnet #vagenealogy

Where to Find Tidbits of Information concerning Jamestown Settlers

Genealogy Tips from Jeannette Holland Austin 

The early vessels to Jamestown delivered mostly male settlers. It was not until later that women were brought over for the purpose of marriage. The wife of my own ancestor, Gabriel Holland, was killed in the massacre of 1622. This is probably the situation for other ancestors as well. He then married a widow whose husband had been slain and there a slight mention of his taking up the lot previously owned by her husband. However, two or three years later, he returned to London and married the third time. Gabriel was appointed one of the Burgesses for Jamestown, and made several trips to London on the business of the colony. One issue they were discussing is the taxing of tobacco, and Gabriel was sent to have an audience with King Charles I. This was a period when the king was not convening Parliament, so Gabriel's attempts to settle this tax, went unresolved. I found some mention of this in the English Court of Chancery. We have to remember that the colony was subjugated to the King, and that the King's business was tended by Burgesses. The accounts of the House of Burgesses published in the Virginia Magazine is another instance where tidbits of information can be gleaned and studied. 

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Index to Virginia Wills and Estates

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