Belcher Blues March 2002 Kentucky





Welcome to the "Belcher Blues"
March 2002 Issue
Kentucky is the focus of this newsletter and it is a very interesting one. The last two issues on Virginia Research were very well received and we hope you will find this one to be equal if not better.

Gayl Ramey Wells
Gregory Clyde Belcher
"My Old Kentucky Home"
Stephen Collins Foster -1853

The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home,
�Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn top�s ripe and the meadow�s in the bloom,
While the birds make music all the day.

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy and bright;
By �n by hard times comes a-knockin� at the door,
Then my old Kentucky home, good-night!

Weep no more, my lady!
Oh weep no more today.
We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home,
For my old Kentucky home, far away.




Kentucky Links
Interesting Sites



Kentucky Articles

The Cinnamon Tree

Obit Search

Ky Explorer Magazine

Breathitt County Ky

Kentucky Facts

Ky Footsteps

Kentucky Atlas

The Bluegrass State

Ky Local History Network

Everything Kentucky

Tiger Maps
A very useful Tool

Elkhorn City


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Kentucky Research


Kentucky holds a very special place in Gayl's heart. Gayl's parents were born in Pike County, Kentucky. In and around Belcher and Elkhorn City. Eleven of their twelve children were born there. With the exception of Gayl who's birthplace was Tennessee.

To do thorough genealogical research in Kentucky, One must understand the early history of Kentucky. Up until 1792 all of Kentucky was in Virginia. George Belcher, Revolutionary soldier, was an early citizen of Virginia. However, when kentucky was formed from parts of Virginia, he became a citizen of of this new state. Our first Belcher ancestors were listed in Floyd County and then in Pike County. Pike county was formed from Floyd County in 1820. Some chose to return across the Big Sandy to Virginia in Russell and Tazewell Counties. Many chose to stay in Pike County.

Belcher, Kentucky was named after George Washington Belcher, Gayl's great grandfather. He was a direct descendant of George Belcher and his second wife Mary Fugate, through their son James. Greg's line comes through George and Mary's son Bartlett. Bartlett married a Ramey (Rachel). His Belcher line always said they came from Kentucky into West Virginia. Bartlett remained in Kentucky for a while, however, he was one of the those who returned to Virginia and then settled in West Virginia.

Elkhorn City and the Belcher line are connected many times through the Ramey line. Elkhorn City was founded by William Ramey, Gayl's gggrandfather. Williams daughter Nancy, married Joseph Belcher son of John Belcher son of George Belcher and first wife Sally Powell. The Belchers and Ramey intertwine numerous times in Kentucky research.
Childers is a common name among the Kentucky Belchers, as well as Elswick, Mullins, Hackney, Ratliff,Epling, Bentley, Chaney, and many others.





Genealogy Forum

Wonderful! Great! Thank You!
I am a descendant of Abraham Belcher(DAR through him). This is my line: Abraham, James, Nancy( married Winfield Moore--came to Republic of Texas from Georgia & changed name to William M. Davis): Turner Moore/Davis; Francis Marion Moore/Davis; Katie Elizabeth Moore/Davis (married Jesse James Jones); Bonnie Loucille (Jones) Smith. Your research is overwhelming! I shall be into it for days.
Thank You! Thank You. Bonnie Loucille Jones Smith, Newton Texas
E-Mail

My great-grandmother was Nancy Ann Belcher born 5/17/1833 (I think). A year ago you sent me some infor from a census which was helpful but I can't seem to be sure who Elias' father was?? I thought it was George Belcher who was married to Mary Fugate, but can't find the info on your website. Can you help me straighten this out? My grandmother was Hester Ann Atkins Hatfield.
Thanks, Wynne Ann Walsh
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I have enjoyed your web site for some time, and have gleaned much for my own family research.
I am a 4th GG/son of Jacob Chaney of Pittsylvania Co., VA. He was born abt 1724 in AA Co., MD, and died 1801 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. Although this line is not researched on your web site, I have been able to find much information from Jacob Chaney back to England, from your records.
Keep up the great work, and thanks!!
Denton Hargis Milford Ohio
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I am in awe.
I recently started my family searches. I do not know if anyone listed in this site pertains to my family lines or not, but I enjoyed it anyway. thank you so much.
Mireta Woodward
Homepage
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I have an ancestor named Nancy May[s] Reed who was born in 1817 in what is now Simpson County, Kentucky. She married David Reed in IL and they moved to KS where they died. Does any of this tie in with any of the info you have? I have no other Info.
Mary Ann from Tucson
E-Mail

Gayle and Greg;
Wonderful site. I really enjoy when I get a newsletter. Have been trying to break down a brick wall for a long time, and in your February letter, I think I have made a breakthrough. My 2nd gr. grandmother was Rhoda Belcher, b. 1790 in VA. Mar. William Franklin Piephoff, b. 1791. They moved to Spartanburg, SC where their dau., my gr. grandmother, Ellender was b. 1819. I am hoping that this Robert Belcher, Sr. was Rhoda's father. I will stay in touch for more info. If this is my Robert, he was definitely b. in VA.
Greenville, SC.
Betty Collier King
E-Mail

Hi,
I am a Belcher by birth from Big Stone Gap Va. My dad is Printiss Belcher, His father was Marshall Belcher, His father was also Printiss Belcher. I am trying to find out more about my family and never have done anything like this before. Marshall died in 1957 . If you could help me I would be very greatful.
Thank you Martha Belcher Dunagan, Illinois
E-Mail

My dad was Edwin John Chapin Belcher,1913-1999, he said that we were decendants of a Johnathan Belcher who was the founder of Belchertown, MA, and also the founder of Princeton Univ.,in New Jersey. He traveled west and had a cattle ranch, also connected to Largo, FL. There is a Belcher Rd. there, once dirt, now a four-lane highway. My dad had all kinds of information sent to him and it was quite interesting to go over. The first wharfs in Boston, MA were supposedly,"The Belcher Wharfs". The family had been in ship-building for England for some time back then. I do not know the accuracy of the info., but interesting indeed.
Thank you for the sharing of your site, Cyndi,'God Bless'
Cynthia Ann Belcher Lopriore, Massaschusetts
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The Elusive Ancestor

I went searching for an ancestor, I cannot find him still. He moved around from place to place and did not leave a will. He married where a courthouse burned, he mended all his fences. He avoided any man who came to take the U.S. Census. He always kept his luggage packed, this man who had no fame, And every 20 years or so, this rascal changed his name. His parents came from Europe. They should be on some list of passengers to the U.S.A., but somehow they got missed. And no one else in this world is searching for this man. So, I play geneasolitaire to find him if I can. I'm told he's buried in a plot, with tombstone he was blessed; but the weather took engraving, and some vandals took the rest. He died before the county clerks decided to keep records. No family Bible has emerged, in spite of all my efforts. To top it off, this ancestor who caused me many groans, Just to give me one more pain, bethrothed a girl named JONES! Anonymous





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