This website began as a way to share information on the Ryburn family of Washington County, Virginia. But like pebbles rippling on a pond, one family led to another, and then to another.... and with the help of many wonderful cousins and friends the site now includes numerous pioneer families.

Comments or corrections are appreciated... and please consider sharing photos and "facts"... they are the gifts that keep this website growing.

Dec. 2013

I fell in love with this photo, taken this fall just off Goose Creek Rd. in Washington County. Thank you to Libby George for sharing her photography and research. See the Change Log for more information on this edition of "RR".

Speaking of front page photos, I created an additional image gallery to archive and share former "front page" pictures. The gallery, called Washington Co. Scenes, is linked from the Washington Co. page.

I am fascinated by Chancery cases - lawsuits filed by our ancestors against another person or group of people. Sometimes the suits were friendly - brought about to facilitate the division of land among a group of heirs that included children. But many of the suits involved someone seeking the court's assistance in righting a perceived wrong. They were also the vehicle by which a divorce might be obtained. Whatever their purpose, the records created during the case provide a glimpse into the everyday lives of the individuals involved.

Washington Co. Chancery Court cases from the early 1800s have not survived, however the later Washington Co. cases are on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Films can be ordered via Interlibrary Loan. An index is available at Library of Virginia - Chancery Records Index. If you need additional information on how to obtain a film, please email me.

Many Washington County cases were heard on appeal in other counties and/or our ancestors spent time in other counties before migrating south. With that in mind, be sure to check Augusta County and Rockbridge County. Those cases are digitized - the images are linked to the online index entries. I recently found a case heard in Augusta County in the early 1800s that included depositions made in Washington County by Mathew Ryburn and Jane (Beattie) Ryburn, my 4th great grandparents. How cool to read their own words.

May I close this edition of "RR" by wishing everyone a Joyous Christmas and by thanking each of you for your friendship and support throughout the year.

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