John Blankenbaker's Germanna History Notes

Note 1870

Saturday was the Spring Conference for the Virginia Genealogical Society. This year it was held in Richmond, at the Library of Virginia, with a theme designed for beginners in genealogy with material on the basic mechanics of how to go about it. For example, you simply must be able to read Colonial documents. You will not find good answers on the web. More broadly, nearly all of us can benefit from refresher courses taught by experts.

I was there as a vendor specializing in the Germans east of the Blue Ridge, and, especially, in old Culpeper County (for example, the Culpeper Classes). This is only a small part of the subject matter of concern to the typical Virginia genealogist. Still, one would tend to think that any Virginia genealogist would be aware of the Culpeper Classes. Probably nine out of ten of the people I spoke to had to ask me, "What are the Culpeper Classes?"

I talked to everyone who was willing. Of course, if you are more willing to listen, then you will probably find that others are more encouraged to talk. Some important things I pointed out, especially after having observed those in attendance, especially the less experienced people, are:

Everyone needs to review the general history.
People often have no idea of fundamental events in history, such as when Virginia was first settled, when Pennsylvania was first settled, when the migration from Pennsylvania to Virginia started, and when people started leaving Virginia.
These are important.
If an ancestor was believed to be living in the Shenandoah Valley in 1730, where was he or she likely to have originated?
Why were there apparent migrations from the west of Virginia to the east of Virginia in the late 1750s?
The genealogists who have accomplished the most have a much better sense of history.
The accomplished genealogists know that their hobby has, and will continue to, cost them money. And they also know that it takes a lot of hard work. Facts don't fall into one's lap without some effort.

I don't know if it was the beautiful spring weather or not, but the traffic was choking the highways. I hate to think of what happen this summer.
(19 Apr 04)

We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.