GRAVES FAMILY BULLETIN

 

A Free, Occasional, Online Summary of Items of Interest to Descendants of all Families of Graves, Greaves, Grieves, Grave, and other spelling variations Worldwide

 

Vol. 7, No. 3, March 28, 2005

 

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Copyright © 2005 by the Graves Family Association and Kenneth V. Graves.  All rights reserved.

 

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Visit the GFA web site at https://gravesfa.org

 

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CONTENTS:

 

** Graves Gatherings in Virginia and Florida

** Other Scheduled Family Reunions

** Planning for the Graves Reunion in Virginia in 2007

** DNA Presentation by Me in Chicopee, Massachusetts

** Graves/Greaves DNA Study

** Graves/Greaves Family Books

** Contribution To GFA In Memory Of Virginia Sue Ogden Bailey Jackson

** Researcher Wanted for Graves-Eaves Connection

** To Submit Material to this Bulletin & Other Things

 

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GRAVES GATHERINGS IN VIRGINIA AND FLORIDA

 

VIRGINIA:

On our way to Florida on Sunday, Feb. 13, a gathering was held in the student union of Randolph Macon College, 304 Henry St., Ashland, VA, for all interested Graves descendants.  Attending were Harry Franklin (“Frank”) Graves, John Graves of West River, MD, Pat Griffith, Laura Curry Loding, Byron Wesley Graves, Jr., his son Byron Wesley Graves, III, and his grandson Byron Wesley Graves, IV, and Robert E. Hill.  Then on Monday evening, Feb. 14, we were graciously entertained by Edwin Holt (“Ed”) Graves and his wife Tayloe in Jacksonville, Florida.  It was a great pleasure meeting all these people.

 

FLORIDA:

 

While we were staying in Bradenton, Florida, for a month, we hosted a Graves gathering at our rented condo on Saturday, March 12.  The people attending included Everett (“Steve”) Graves, Lois G. Reedy, Nancy L. Jones, Peter and Cheryl Graves, Patricia Hefley, and Carol Bogdasarian.

 

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OTHER SCHEDULED FAMILY REUNIONS

 

Many descendants of the Coffey family are related to and descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA.  The Coffey Cousins Convention will be April 28-30, 2005, in Nashville, TN.  For more information, contact Patsy Burns, pburns105@excite.com, or Bonnie Culley, bculey@aol.com.

 

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PLANNING FOR GRAVES REUNION IN VIRGINIA IN 2007

 

At the gathering on Feb. 13, 2005, in Ashland, VA, Byron Graves, Bob Hill, Laura Loding, and Frank Graves volunteered to be part of a committee to plan for a Graves Reunion in Virginia in 2007.  This would probably be held in Williamsburg, VA, and would be in conjunction with the 400th anniversary celebration of the founding of Jamestown, VA.

 

Robert E. (“Bob”) Hill has already written Dr. Anne Tyler Netick, Governor of the Jamestowne Society, about coordinating our celebration with theirs.  He pointed out that there are 145 of their members who base their membership on descent from Capt. Thomas Graves, 1608 settler in Jamestown.

 

I will try to set up a list of all those who have already volunteered to help.  The names I have so far are Judith Graves Kreis, Allyson Graves Kreis, Suzie Morris Ball, John Graves of Bristol, VA, Cecelia Ziff, Byron Graves of Norfolk, VA, Bob Hill of Richmond, VA, Laura Loding of Hayes, VA, and Harry Franklin (“Frank”) Graves of Mechanicsville, VA.  If you have already volunteered but aren’t on this list, or if you would like your name to be added, please let me know.

 

It is very important that we move forward with the planning for this event as quickly as possible.  The 400th anniversary celebration will be a major event in Virginia, and places to stay will need to be reserved early.

 

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DNA PRESENTATION BY ME IN CHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS

 

I will be making a presentation on the subject of DNA testing for genealogy to the Polish Genealogical Society of Massachusetts this Thursday, March 31, 2005, at 6:30 p.m.  This will be at Elms College, 291 Springfield St., Chicopee, MA, 3rd floor of Berchmans Hall.  This will be an open meeting, and there will be no charge.  Anyone is invited to attend.  Although I won’t be talking specifically about Graves genealogy, I will use some of our DNA research as examples, and will be happy to answer any questions about our experience and results.  If any male with the Graves surname would like to attend and take the DNA test at the meeting, that would be of interest.

 

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GRAVES/GREAVES DNA STUDY

 

NEW DISCOVERIES FROM DNA STUDY

The most recent discovery is that genealogy 78, James Graves and Sarah ------ of SC & GA (he was born about 1760 in SC), and genealogy 920, William P. Graves and Louisa F. Goss of SC, GA, AL & TX (he was born 1820 in SC), are part of the same family as:

Genealogy 48, James W. Graves and Melissa K. Ray of SC, MS & AR (he was born about 1810 in SC)

Genealogy 189, Richard Graves and Polly Lucy ------ of SC & AR (he was born about 1776 in SC)

Genealogy 258, George William Graves of GA, MS & TX (he was born about 1814 in GA)

 

DNA analysis has shown that all five of these families share a common ancestor, but it is not known how they connect.  The test results have all been added to the master DNA summary table on the GFA website.  Any help in connecting these families will be appreciated.

 

MORE PARTICIPANTS NEEDED

If you have not yet returned your DNA samples, PLEASE do so as soon as possible.

 

If your part of the Graves, Greaves, or other spelling, family is not yet included in the DNA study, it would be very helpful if you could either volunteer to participate (if you are a male with the Graves, etc.) surname or find someone else in your part of the family who would be willing to take part.

 

The test is very easy to take.  It just involves swabbing the inside of your mouth with 2 plastic applicators, putting the applicators in plastic vials, and returning them to the testing company.  If you want to take the test but are concerned that you can’t afford it, let me know and we may be able to provide the money.

 

WHO CAN TAKE PART IN THE DNA STUDY?

Participants must be males who are descended in a direct male line from a male Graves ancestor.  This means the participant must have the Graves/Greaves surname unless there was a name change in the lineage.

 

PARTICIPANTS OUTSIDE THE U.S., ESPECIALLY IN ENGLAND

It is important for families in the U.S. to have participants from England (or from families in Australia and elsewhere who know their ancestry in England) so that a link with English ancestors can be made.  However, it is just as important for family members in England to take part in the DNA study so that the various families in England can be linked with each other.  Tradition of connection with an ancient family is nice, but DNA proof of that connection is much more meaningful.

 

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR THE STUDY

Go to the GFA website at www.gravesfa.org, click on the DNA link at the top of the main page, then click on the link in the red-outlined box near the top of the next page.  This will take you to a page on the Family Tree DNA page.  Then just fill out the requested information, and your testing kit will be mailed to you the next day.  The 25-marker test is recommended, and the 37-marker test is even better (for most participants).

 

FINANCIAL HELP STILL NEEDED

All contributions toward the DNA study will be much appreciated.  Many thanks to those of you who have already contributed.  We especially need funding for testing of descendants in the British Isles, some of whom may be less willing or able to pay the cost.  You may also want to consider sponsoring a relative as a way to get a test for your part of the family.  In response to questions asked about the total amount of money needed over the next couple of years to sponsor this testing program, the need is in the thousands of dollars, but any contribution will be appreciated.

 

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GRAVES/GREAVES FAMILY BOOKS

 

The book on the Graves families of Randolph Co., NC is still not ready, but I am working to get it published this spring.

 

The book on Capt. Thomas Graves of VA will be the next book to be completed, and will be ready in late 2006 or early 2007 (definitely before the 400th anniversary celebration at Jamestown, VA).

 

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CONTRIBUTION TO GFA IN MEMORY OF VIRGINIA SUE OGDEN BAILEY

 

Virginia Sue Ogden Bailey Jackson was born 27 Dec. 1923 and died 25 Feb. 2005.  Her sister, Betty Ogden Flora, has made a generous contribution to the Graves Family Association in her memory.  This is much needed and appreciated.  Others might want to consider doing something similar.  Both Sue and Betty went to England in 1995 as part of the GFA tour that I organized, and my wife and I have fond memories of both of them.

 

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RESEARCHER WANTED FOR GRAVES-EAVES CONNECTION

 

Mrs. Marilyn W. Warrens, 2190 North Ave., Chico, CA 95926, is looking for a researcher who would be willing to explore the Graves-Eaves connection in Virginia.  She is descended from William Eaves of Virginia, father of Graves Eaves (genealogy 329).

 

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ABOUT THIS BULLETIN:

This bulletin is written and edited by Kenneth V. Graves, ken.graves@gravesfa.org.  Ken Graves is also editor of the Graves Family Newsletter, the official publication of the Graves Family Association.  This bulletin will contain announcements and news of special interest to Graves descendants with Internet access.  It will not contain queries, genealogies, photos, and the kind of in-depth articles that appear in the Graves Family Newsletter.

 

TO SUBMIT MATERIAL TO THIS BULLETIN:

Send any material you would like to have included in this bulletin to ken.graves@gravesfa.org.  The editor reserves the right to accept, edit or reject any material submitted.

 

TO JOIN THE GRAVES FAMILY ASSOCIATION:

If you do not already belong to the GFA, you can join by sending $20 per year to Graves Family Association, 20 Binney Circle, Wrentham, MA 02093 (more details on GFA website).  Payment may also be sent electronically via PayPal by going to www.paypal.com and sending payment to gfa@gravesfa.org.  Benefits include access to the “members only” section of the website, membership directory, and help with learning more about your Graves/Greaves family.  The purpose of the GFA is to bring together as many descendants as possible to work toward learning more about the Graves/Greaves families, to help other descendants, and to instill pride in our ancestry.

 

COPYRIGHTS:

Although the contents of this bulletin are copyrighted by the Graves Family Association and Kenneth V. Graves, you are hereby granted rights, unless otherwise specified, to re-distribute articles to other parties for non-commercial purposes only.  Do not re-distribute the newsletter in its entirety.

 

TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE TO THIS BULLETIN:

To subscribe to this bulletin, send an e-mail message to ken.graves@gravesfa.org.  Please include your full name.  Your postal mailing address and information on your Graves/Greaves ancestry would also be appreciated, although not essential.

 

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