The several comments and questions I have received this evening pursuant to the DNA conversations cause me to think that a general rule for genealogists relating to the application of the law is appropriate. Many have been the great thinkers, philosophers, judges and lawyers who have believed and written that the law is a measure of the desires.needs of our society, and is equally a reflection of our vision of how we are and should be. The result is that across the centuries there have been but precious few, if any, commands or prohibitions of our law, no matter the source, that have not been debated, violated, amended, confirmed or overturned. As the views of our people have changed, so too has the law been adjusted. Thus it is that, as Langdon has noted, the VA Legislature (and most other States, as well) has rather recently set forth procedures by which we may move to and fro cemeteries located on private land. Doubtless there are but few variations in those procedures that have YET occurred, but we may be sure that as our attitudes in such matters change, so too will those rules. As researchers we must always assume that what we think was the conduct and the prevailing law of the deep past likely was often violated and then confirmed, amended or simply abandoned. No better example may be found, I suspect, but that of the laws of VA of the middle half of the 17th Century that required attendance at church every Sunday, the punishment for violation of which often being harsh fines and even jail time. But, notice how few courts' orders or other records reveal prosecutions for violations of those edicts. Considering that there were likely something in excess of 300,000 folks in the VA Colony in the period 1665-1685, the absence of such reports can only reveal that many were the violations that went unnoticed or ignored. In short, without specific proof, do not presume that the conduct of your ancestors was in accordance with "the letter of the law". It often was, but surely always was NOT always. Genealogy without documentation is nothing. Paul Drake JD Professional Genealogist & Author <www.DrakesBooks.com> -- ---------------------------------------- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 1979 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now! To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html