Genealogy Wise
Richards Surname
A group for those researching the Richards surname.The founder of this group manages the Richards DNA Surname Project at Family Tree DNA. While Y-DNA testing is recommended, it is not a requirement to join this group.
My Richards Brick Wall in King and Queen County, Virginia
I have tracked my Richards line back to William Richards, b. 28 Jan 1742 in King and Queen County, VA. That is a burned county and I can't find anything about William's parents or siblings. William was married twice, to Amy Mabry (before 1776) and Nancy Mercer (1799). William later moved to Georgia and then Alabama, where he died 07 Feb. 1836.
Thanks to Y-DNA testing at Family Tree DNA, I know William shares a common ancestor with two other Richards men.
One is Stephen Richards b. 1796 in NC. He resided in Jackson & Calhoun Counties FL and was in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, LA by 1860. He married Sarah Noles 10 Mar 1820.
The other is William Richards b. abt. 1786 in NC or MD and died in Pickens Co., GA 10 Sep 1866. His wife, Dysey Cobb, was born in 1788 and died 1855.
I have met several distant cousins online that are all stuck in the same place. Some say our William from Virginia is in the DAR records as a Captain. Another believes that was a different William Richards. All the books I have found on early families named Richards seem to be based in New England. I'm hopeful that someone in this group might have some creative suggestions on how to get around this brick wall.
Thanks to Y-DNA testing at Family Tree DNA, I know William shares a common ancestor with two other Richards men.
One is Stephen Richards b. 1796 in NC. He resided in Jackson & Calhoun Counties FL and was in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, LA by 1860. He married Sarah Noles 10 Mar 1820.
The other is William Richards b. abt. 1786 in NC or MD and died in Pickens Co., GA 10 Sep 1866. His wife, Dysey Cobb, was born in 1788 and died 1855.
I have met several distant cousins online that are all stuck in the same place. Some say our William from Virginia is in the DAR records as a Captain. Another believes that was a different William Richards. All the books I have found on early families named Richards seem to be based in New England. I'm hopeful that someone in this group might have some creative suggestions on how to get around this brick wall.
Claude C Richards
I am wondering if a database of Richards would be useful in sorting out all these people. I am thinking about starting one, perhaps just posting gedcoms into a common PAF file and sourcing it to the various people who supplied information. Then tying it back to the DNA results where available.
I have obtained a copy of the Abner Morse book on early Puritan Richards and thought that might be a useful bridge to the old world for some. Proposing to enter that into the PAF database.
Any thoughts?
Claude Richards
Aug 10, 2009
Brad Richards
I live near King and Queen County, if you ever need any help. Additionally, I own a copy of the Morse book and have input a great deal of data on Chapter V, into my Master Genealogist v6 software. At some point, when I have more time, I plan on inputting at least that entire chapter, though it does have some errors, they are minor considering the volume of work that went into producing the book. Hopefully, this posts right, I am not familiar with this site yet. I also would like to tell Claude that my branch of the Richards family took the same migration route, Maysville, through Cincinnatti, throug Illinois at almost the same time frame, though possibly 10 to 15 years later. If he can give me some more info on his line, I might be able to help make a link.
-Brad
Sep 22, 2009