I am an experienced researcher in Tennessee, but not as familiar with the best places to look to solve a problem I have worked on with one of my Virginia families.

I spent two days last month in the North Carolina State Library & Archives and two days in the Library of Virginia trying to discover proof that William Hicks Lanier, b. 25 Aug 1770 in Granville Co., NC, was the father of William Hicks Lanier, b. 4 July 1805 in NC. I had no success and fear now that I overlooked the best sources to search.

The younger one married Judith Cabaniss in Halifax Co., VA on 29 Sept 1826 and moved from there to Dyer Co., TN after 1845. He named his first son John (the name of his possible maternal grandfather, John Ballard) and his second son Thomas (name of his possible paternal grandfather, Thomas Lanier). Though the names Elizabeth and Mary were common, among his numerous children were names of his possible paternal grandmother, Elizabeth (Hicks) Lanier, and his possible mother and maternal grandmother, Mary Garland Ballard. 

I searched Halifax Co., VA deeds where I found one with William H. Lanier the trustee in 1823. As the younger William H. would have been under age (18), I'm assuming the elder William had moved to Halifax Co., VA. I searched Court Orders of Halifax Co., VA and found in 1823 one William H. Lanier qualified as deputy sheriff. Would a minor be selected deputy sheriff?

The younger William made a trust deed in 1842 in which part of the collateral was "all his interest in his father's estate." This could have been near the death date of his father, or it could have meant that his father's wife was still living. I have not found an estate settlement for a Lanier who could be the younger William H.'s father in either Halifax Co. VA or Granville Co., NC

What have I overlooked?

Thank you,

Bettie Davis

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