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The Origin of Darwins

Version 3.0, January 2007

Methodology

At the present writing, only a small part of the research has been undertaken, and something of our method must be said. The first (and still incomplete) task has been to collect whatever public records are available: Federal Census returns, local probate and land records, church marriage registries, military service records and newspapers. So much provides a framework for the family tree of 'who begat whom'.

The lengthier task, barely addressed yet, is to place such fragments as we have in context. The probate inventory of someone's estate may be interesting by itself, but it does not really tell us enough until it is compared to other contemporary inventories. Census returns show that our ancestors were farmers, may even include the value of their real estate and chattels, but to know what they farmed and with what success will require much broader study than there has yet been time to undertake. It must be stressed that where interpretation of the evidence is included here, it is highly provisional. Hopefully this summarised research will aid others interested in digging up our roots, and that from such future investigations a much more accurate and complete picture of our ancestors and their times can be written.

I  : William Darwin: Colonial Virginia 1743-1776

II : Darwins in the Revolutionary War 1776-1783

Coming Soon:

III : Darwins/Durvins of Virginia 1776-1859

IV : James and John Darwin: South Carolina 1781-1820

V : Iron and Gold: South Carolina 1821-1860

VI : Darwin Migrations: Tennessee and Alabama

VII : Darwin Migrations: Florida and Texas

VIII: Darwins in the Civil War (1861-1865)

IX: Reconstruction and Dissolution: Darwins of Dixie 1865-1900