How to Record This Information

Now that you have the tools to locate the correct counties and the knowledge to correct your computer entries, it is time to list your information "chronologically" in your ancestor's notes. Give the parent and the date of that parent county's formation in your notes, for each county you have located.

An example of a geographical reference is given below, followed by a map of the counties from Virginia as an illustration of the changes in jurisdiction of the same land mass during different years:

1790 HISTORY: VA, Patrick Co., was formed in 1790 from Henry Co.

1776 HISTORY: VA, Henry Co., was formed in 1776 from Patrick and Pittsylvania Counties

Pittsylvania was formed in 1766 from Halifax

1752 HISTORY: VA, Halifax Co., was formed in 1752 from Lunenburg Co.
1746 HISTORY: VA, Lunenburg Co., was formed in 1746 from Brunswick Co.
1720 HISTORY: VA, Brunswick Co., was formed in 1720 from Prince George, Isle of Wight, and Surry Counties
Can you do the rest?
Prince George was formed in 1700 from Charles City
Isle of Wight was formed in 1634 as an original shire
James City was formed in 1634 as an original shire
Surry was formed in 1652 from James City

Now you have an idea of the locations for records within a general area of your ancestor's home during any specific time period.