To be where they stood…to see what they saw…
I grabbed my oldest grandson some 8-10 years ago and drove from SW Florida to see Thomas Jefferson’s digs in Virginia. Good fun…drove thru Tarboro, visited Petersburg, VA, (the battlefield) it was hurried and too quick.
There is a tug in all of us to stand where they stood. I would drive by places in Edgecombe, NC and imagine where my ancestors may have lived. I drove around Isle of Wight, VA…same thing.
Most of my readers know I have a weird fascination with Indian Traders… probably because I grew up watching too many westerns on TV. Then there is Abraham Woods of Petersburg, VA. The man pretty much started it all…at least where Southside, VA is concerned. Take a walk around…imagine its 1638…
If you are not familiar with Google Maps “Street View” you are missing out…time to get up to speed.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5fjgpLzQQACuCGmy6
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wood-1167
My latest map that I will never finish. If any Universities have a Graduate Program (with funds available), I am available to show how I do this …
…click the blue filename under the graphic for a better view
With the map open, scroll down from Petersburg and find the Nottoway River and note this patent:
Now imagine clicking on that patent and this opens up… (the detailed notes of how I researched the patent and created it). I cannot do this now…but just imagine… and for every patent on the map.
How did you get all those Quadrangles pieced together to make that FABULOUS map?? Regrettably, I cannot save the map in its entirety, it will only save with the lots you have outlined. With all the other ‘fill’ you can really get an idea of where these plats really were.
William Shands, on the map is one of my ancestors.
Thank you it is wonderful to see this huge map!!
Louisa
Louisa Gay
January 13, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Hi Louisa
I get the old maps from USGS (online). I use Affinity Designer (software) to piece them together.
The filesize of the maps are huge. I would suggest you simply do a screen capture of any areas you like to keep the size reasonable to use or print out.
Marc
anderson1951
January 13, 2026 at 12:50 pm