Customer Reviews

Jamestowne Ancestors, 1607-1699. Commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the Landing at James Towne, 1607-2007

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I suspect other genealogists would be as disappointed as I am with this book. It is a very thin volume and skimpy on detail.

A far superior alternative is Martha McCartney's recent "Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers, 1607-1635: A Biographical Dictionary."

Commemorating the 400th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown Island, Jamestowne Ancestors 1607-1699 is a genealogical reference featuring a list of known residents of the historic Jamestowne settlement, along with birth and death dates, occupation, and place of origin or county represented. Maps with detailed keys and explanations of descriptive terms round out this handy reference.

Maybe I didn't read the description correctly. But for some reason I thought this would be more than just a list of names. I will keep it for now but will be more careful in the future. Seems like a lot of money to pay for a list I could have printed off from several free on-line sites.

This book is not at all adequate. It has no depth in the subject matter, which little to no research was
done to gather the real historical facts, many names of the early settlers to Virginia are missing, and
again it is just a dusting of the real story. Save your money on this one.

A hansome package with well presented material. The benefit is limited to "old" information,i.e. previously published information, and did not include new information on the many who landed at Jamestowne and moved across the river to establish themselves and secure our nation. It was disappointing in that aspect. Such a work is needed and there is plenty of accounts regarding these people that cries out for collection and publication. These too were Jamestowne "settlers and ancestors". George A. Williams

Arrived on time as agreed. Intersting book but not as useful as I had thought it might be. Still, for Virginia genealogists, put it on the shelf; you might have use for it from time to time.

This is an attractive edition, and I'm glad it is the
400 year Anniversary Edition. I already knew what was in the book,
just wanted an additional proven source for my genealogy works.

"The year 2007 marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in America. From its tentative start as a small fort on an island in the James River, with scarcely more than 150 inhabitants, Jamestown became a model for the colonization of the New World. Its founders--planters and indentured servants alike--established a formula for immigration and settlement, and laid the foundation for the leap­frog expansion into the hinterland. Because of its unchallenged position in American history, the 400th anniversary of Jamestown is a milestone, and celebrations are planned throughout 2007.

For our part as publishers we are offering several books in commemoration of the founding of Jamestown, and the one announced here, Jamestowne Ancestors 1607-1699, by noted Virginia genealogist Virginia Lee Hutcheson Davis, reveals the names of the very people who established the colony, first under the auspices of the Virginia Company of London and then under King James I and the later Stuart kings of England.

Thus Jamestowne Ancestors is a list of approximately 1,000 persons who are known to have owned land or resided on Jamestown Island between 1607 and 1699. They are listed here alphabetically along with their known dates of residence in Jamestown, their official position in the colony (landowner, burgess, etc.), and their place of origin or county of residence. In addition, the book contains details concerning the settlement of the island, a brief history of Jamestown plantations and hundreds and their evolution into the early counties of Virginia, and pen and ink drawings, together with maps of the fort and city of Jamestown.

The 1608 map of James Fort and the diagram of the site show the original settlement and the progression of present-day archaeological work undertaken there. Other maps show the growth of the colony beyond Jamestown Island throughout the seventeenth century, first as shires, then as plantations and hundreds. From this you can determine the areas where the early settlers selected their home sites and plantations. Together with other facts assembled here, this information can be used as a starting point in establishing eligibility for membership in a number of hereditary societies that require proof of descent from an early Virginia ancestor."

If you know your lineage, this is a great source to help you find any qualifying ancestors for the Jamestown Society, or just for your own knowledge.