Description

Anyone doing research in eastern Virginia’s historical records is certain to encounter Powhatan Indian place names. However, it is often difficult to relate these names to the modern landscape. Within this volume numerous variations of historic Indian place names are gathered under their most common spelling or modern equivalent. The information included in the thoroughly annotated volume was drawn from land patents, local and regional government records, public and private archives, and several collections of historical maps. This enables researchers to see how Indian place names changed over time and relate them to their equivalents in the modern landscape. Armed with this knowledge, investigators are more likely to succeed in locating the genealogical or historical records and artifacts they seek.

The authors have assembled the Powhatan place names under a main heading, which consists of their modern equivalent or most common spelling. Beneath that main heading are variations in the place name’s spelling, listed in chronological order. This allows researchers to see how names changed over time.