List members: While researching the southwestern PA area, or Monongahela Valley which consists of SW PA and what is now West VA, I found reference to a Petition for a New State. A petition to the Continental Congress for a new State to be known as "Westsylvania". The original petition is in existence in the Library of Congress, and lists names of pioneer settlers in this region, Fayette, Washington and Greene Counties of PA and perhaps Ohio and Monongalia Counties in Virginia. There is no date on the petition, but according to the author who is in possession of this photo copied petition, there were 25,000 families settled in this area about 1768. The document lists petitioners names, which include three ancestors I have been looking for. Of course, the document does give any clue as to the relationship, brother, son, etc.,. My question is can I use this document as a source, or proof of the persons being in the area prior to 1781? Thank Sharon Leonard Albuquerque, NM To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html