1 Reply Latest reply on Oct 1, 2019 8:37 AM by Lisha Penn

Searching for Parents of Parks B. Wood 1802-1876

M.D. Wood Sep 24, 2019 2:01 PM

Hello everyone,

I have been trying for years to break down the brick wall of my third-great-grandfather, Parks B. Wood. He was born c. 1802 and died in 1876. His death record states he was born in Albemarle County, VA, parents unknown. I have not been able to locate a will for Parks in Botetourt County, VA, where he died.

I have gone through microfilm records of Albemarle County, VA property tax records and only found Parks listed there one year, 1827. No other "Wood" folks were listed around the date he paid his taxes. The following year, he married Elizabeth Firebaugh in November 1828 in Botetourt County, VA, and resided there until his death. Census records in Botetourt County, VA have not yielded any clues as to possible family members.

I appreciate any and all suggestions and advice!!

Re: Searching for Parents of Parks B. Wood 1802-1876

Lisha Penn Oct 1, 2019 8:37 AM (in response to M.D. Wood)

Dear M.D. Wood,

Thank you for posting your request to History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the Population Schedules for the 1830 Census; 1840 Census; 1850 Census; 1860 Census; 1870 Census; and the 1880 Census in the Records of the Census Bureau (Record Group 29). Digital images 1830, 1840. 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 census records are not available yet in the Catalog but are digitized and available on Ancestry. From 1790 to 1840, only the head of household is listed by name; other household members are merely counted in selected age groups which makes it difficult to identify his parents or great grandparents.

However, on Ancestry, Parks B. Wood as head of household on the 1830 Census; head of household on 1840 Census; 1850 Census as head of household with wife & family listed for first time; 1860 Census with wife Elizabeth; and Parks with wife & family on 1870 Census. We were unable to locate him on the census records before 1830.

We also located Parks & Elizabeth’s 1828 Virginia Marriage Record and his 1876 Virginia Death Listing. There may be a fee for using Ancestry. Instead, you may view these records online at one NARA's facilities for free via a NARA PC. For the nearest NARA location, please consult our web page at https://www.archives.gov/locations/. Also, some of the images from Ancestry are available for free on Family Search at https://www.familysearch.org/en/.

We were unable to locate a birth record for Parks B. Wood because the State of Virginia did not begin maintaining birth records until 1853 in order to identify his parents. Prior to that time no Virginia births were recorded by the county or state.

You may wish to search for tips on How to Find Virginia Birth Records or search local church or county property records in Albemarle County and Botetourt County or see Botetourt Genealogy Trails.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!

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