In a message dated 2/24/02 2:16:43 PM EST, [log in to unmask] writes: << Hi Jo Anna, As a native Marylander I have to raise issue with something you wrote ---- to my knowledge Frederick was never part of Prince Georges County (PG County to us natives). Frederick is west of Baltimore going towards Western MD, and PG County is to the south just east of D.C. Where did you get this info? >> http://www.rootsweb.com/~mdgenweb/table.htm This is Maryland county formation information. Frederick was indeed formed in 1748 from Prince Georges County. Montgomery County was formed in 1776 from Frederick County. This all makes Prince Georges County Maryland (and Mongtomery & Frederick Co) research before 1748 covering a VERY large territory. Fortunately, there are a number of parish books that are in existence for various parts of the county, not to mention deeds, etc., which allow the physical placement of families before then. I have looked carefully at BIRD/BYRD families in PG County Md, so had to acquaint myself with the formation information. My target family is in what is today PG County right across the Potomac from Mt. Vernon. There is another Bird family in what is now Montgomery County, but they were living very close to if not in what is now Washington DC. PG County MD is sort of like one of the Virginia "megacounties", like Henrico or Goochland or Prince William or old Rappahannock, that are parents of smaller counties today, too numerous to count. FYI, I think that the Birds of Halifax/Lunenberg/Pittsylvania/Franklin (latter county is today's actual location) may well have come from Maryland. The main library in PG County Md has very extensive deed, will and court record microfilms for the 1700s. Good Luck!! Janet ( Baugh) Hunter To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html