collecting the seeds of a Smith tree
Tracing our ancestors is often like following a trail of breadcrumbs, each clue leading us deeper into the past. My journey to uncover my Smith lineage has led me time and again to one pivotal figure—William Smith of Surry County, Virginia. As the likely progenitor of my Smith line in America, understanding his origins is... Continue Reading →
A look at how generations of Lincolnshire farming families remained in close proximity, driven by land inheritance, marriage customs, and work opportunities.
In the spring of 1741, a young man named John Spreadbarrow—about 19 years old—found himself confined aboard a convict transport ship, bound for the British colony of Maryland. Sentenced in Kent, England, John was just one of thousands of convicts forcibly removed from Britain and shipped across the Atlantic to serve out a period of... Continue Reading →
A look at how convicts were processed through the port, including public auctions, indenture contracts, and the economic forces behind their labor distribution.
A look at English convicts who were sentenced to transportation for minor crimes and how it shaped their future.
Born around 1772, Mark Cole was the son of William Cole, though little else is known about his early family life, including the identity of his mother. Circumstantial evidence hints that William may have been residing in Halifax County, Virginia, or Rowan County, North Carolina, when Mark entered the world. By 1779, when Mark was... Continue Reading →
Middle names can serve as a treasure trove of clues for genealogists, often acting as subtle breadcrumbs that link generations and reveal familial connections. In the case of John Cole and William Cole, two men who migrated to Virginia and North Carolina in the 18th century, the use of middle names among their descendants provides... Continue Reading →
digging our roots 