Hi, I have been a member of this mailing list off and on since 1996. There was a time when many of us enjoyed the discussions about Virginia history, especially those of us not from VA, but whose family have roots in this state. Lately the forum seems to have become one used to argue and push certain people's agendas. There are still great people on this list who are not heard from. I think this is due to the nature of the most recent posts. I am getting very tired of the on going racist arguments. I have to say, some of our members are a very creative bunch. It seems that any topic can be turned into something that has to do with slavery or the War Between the States. I am going on vacation next week and will be unsubbing. I am seriously considering leaving this list permanently. I ask the list members to please consider those of us who enjoy reading the messages, but comment very little. All posts don't need or require a response. That is what your delete key is for. There have been many times over the last several weeks that I could have contributed to the discussion. I am a mixed race person. Yes, I have done DNA testing so I know this is a fact. I belong to one of America's First Families, the Charitys. My maiden name is Stith. I descended from the African American Stiths who were slaves, but had connections to the Jeffersons, Washingtons, Lees, Bollings, Randolphs, Masons, Goodwyns, etc as well as to the Hairstons. Thru my Charity and Jones families I have connections to former Gov. Wilder. One of my distant Charity cousins was Arthur Ashe's tennis coach when he was growing up in Richmond. I also have family ties to England and Scotland thru my maternal family line which is also out of VA and TN. My paternal lines are from Charles City, Surry, Sussex, Southampton and Greensville Counties. I am a very distant relative to Nat Turner and have cousins who have connections to the families that were killed by Nat Turner. My greatgreatgrandfather was Henry Grizzard who was from the Ambrose Grizard (Grisard) line of Southampton County and who were relatives to Judge Powell. And last but not least, my aunt was an English teacher at Maggie Walker High School. So you see you were talking about my families and I was not pleased. BUT, I also did not comment. I have communicated with Henry and Paul in the past and respect their work. Most of the others who commented, I have no issue with, but "J South" ................ Linda Stith Threadgill whose family names also include Massenburg, Ruffin, Green, Adkins, Bradby, Miles, Ford, McKenzie, McCaleb, Thomas, Glenn, Liggins surnames to name only a few.