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Archiver > VAALBEMA > 2008-12 > 1228766242
From: "william hunt" <>
Subject: Re: [VAALBEMA] The 1787 Census of Virginia
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 14:57:22 -0500
References: <c13.47aa7f2c.3669cb99@aol.com>
Yes, E.W. is a wonderful person to have "on our side" when searching! This
topic prompted me to add a few comments.
1) I think the "1787 Census" series is out of print, but I'm sure copies
of the hard bound 1987 volume ( ISBN: 0-89157-070-5.) can be found in
libraries "here and there".
Individual pamphlets were published for all existing counties incl. W. VA
and KY and offered for sale via U. S. mail. I bought eight of them.
The publishing company was called "Genealogical Books
In Print", 6818 Lois Drive, Springfield, VA 22150.
I wrote again sometime in the mid to late 1990's and both of my letters were
returned by the local Postmaster. (I don't live in VA)
2) The Dual Title, representative of the actual published research, is,
"The Personal Property Tax Lists For .....[name of each
County ]........appears on the
first page in each County Pamphlet.
Women were never tithable or taxable unless they had a male of tithable age
living there. For a couple of Virginia counties I searched the will books
to find names of men who died testate and intestate and looked for given
names of women who would have become widows. I was able to match about 90%
of the presumed widows listed on the 1787 Pers. Prop. Tax lists for Bedford
Co. with a deceased husband. The women were marked "not tithable" by the
tax commissioner. Although "a match" by names doesn't seem to be totally
convincing of a relationship, when adding in some dates, and sometimes a
marriage bond help a bit more. I learned not to assume anything based
merely on similar names. After all, we're a;ways looking for truth; not a
series of guesses.
If a searcher has or had hopes of finding a man with a wife (incl. her name)
along
with perhaps eight daughters or so, I'm afraid they will be disappointed.
Back then females had practically no rights, which automatically placed them
in a
situation where their presence in the community could go unmentioned in
public records for many years, and any requirement to ever mention
them at all would be infrequent to say the least! Minutes of Church
members, etc. is a far better source for females and some relationships than
are the early tax records. In 1787 White Males under age 16
were not counted listed Blacks under 16 and over 16 were listed but only by
quantity of each; never by name.
Hope this helps a bit.
Bill Hunt
----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>; <>
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 7:11 PM
Subject: [VAALBEMA] The 1787 Census of Virginia
> Although I posted this to two Kentucky county rootsweb as well as to
> Harris-Hunters, some of those researching in Virginia may like to know of
> this
> resource--and a good way to use it.
>
> E.W.Wallace
>
> Those of you who do a lot of Kentucky research know that a good many
> early
> settlers of Kentucky came from North Carolina [Daniel Boone and company,
> for
>
> example, later hired by Col. Richard Henderson of NC] and of course,
> Virginia.
> Virginia claimed Kentucky--and what is now West Virginia--until Kentucky
> became a State in 1792.
>
> Because the 1790 census of Virginia is among those missing [the so-called
> 1790 census is a reconstructed census and is not a true census], the 1787
> personal property tax lists for almost all counties extant in Virginia are
> a
> good
> resource for those with early Kentuckians.
>
> Why? Because, as indicated, in 1787 Kentucky still belonged to
> Virginia.
>
> There are three volumes called The 1787 Census of Virginia by
> Netti-Schreiner-Yantis and Florine S. Love. These were compiled about
> two
> decades ago and
> may no longer be in print. Ask your public librarian to help you locate
> where these three volumes may be in your State. If you live near a
> University or
> a college, try to find their online catalog and do a search for these
> volumes. Some State libraries permit interlibrary loan. (You may have
> to
> do
> research in the library and not remove the books from the borrowing
> library--so
> ask.) Take plenty of money for photocopying!!!
>
> The third volume to this set is the index to the preceding two volumes.
> So
> that is the volume you MAY want to look at first.
>
> If you have an uncommon surname, you are in luck. You may have only a
> few
> pages to search. (And try to search unusual spellings for the surname.
> Spelling was not standardized until way late, and even now some family
> members
> spell the name differently.)
>
> BUT, if, like I, you have LOTS of common surnames, I highly recommend
> this:
>
> Photocopy the pages of the index which pertain to your surname(s).
>
> Then take a clean 81/2 x 11 sheet of paper and arrange numerically the
> page
> numbers you find in the index. That way, you can go to a photocopier
> and
> do
> your photocopying in an orderly manner.
>
> Why should you pay attention to doing this search/photocopying in an
> orderly
> fashion? Because, like I, you may find your Virginia ancestor is in the
> process of moving personal property [slaves, livestock, etc] to Kentucky,
> and he
> [or perhaps some females--mostly widows] has property in several
> counties--in at least one Virginia county--and in Madison Co., which was
> later in the
> State [Commonwealth] of Kentucky.
>
> Be sue to copy the key to the figures which appears in the first
> pages--I
> believe it is in each volume, but I do not recall.
>
> It took me a few years to figure this method of searching--so heed my
> words!!!
>
> You may find your underage ancestor is listed as a tithable of some older
> person--even his widowed mother. Pay close attention to what you find.
> (Look
> for Thomas Jefferson in Albemarle Co., VA)
>
> May you find these books in a nearby library. They are still under
> copyright, and, to date, I have not seen these lists on the internet.
>
> By the way, occasionally you can find listed on the internet occasional
> individual county booklets. I have such a booklet by the same authors
> for
> Fauquier Co.VA [whence came some of my Garrard Co. ancestors] and it has
> some
> extra material which enriches my family history. Do a google.com
> search
> for
> Nettie Schreiner-Yantis.
>
> I have posted this previously, but we are always looking for missing
> ancestors.
>
> E.W.Wallace
>
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>
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