Genealogy research spurs Kentucky man to seek DNA in W.Va. – Bluefield Daily Telegraph

FLATWOODS, Ky. Tracing ones family tree has evolved considerably since the days when Alex Haley, author of the novel Roots, used family accounts and detailed research to trace his ancestry back to Africa. Now people interested in genealogy can turn to DNA as a way to find their familys history.

Oscar Meadows of Flatwoods, Ky. started his genealogy research sometime in 1980. He had what he described as a fair understanding of his maternal ancestry because his neighborhood was well populated by his mothers side of the family, but that link did not provide all of the clues he needed for a complete picture of his familys past.

This is a little bit misleading since Mom and Dad were second cousins, Meadows told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. What we really didnt know was my Meadows or Dads pedigree. Dad really had no idea who his grandfather Meadows was or where he came from. He did know his dad was Henry Franklin Meadows and Dad was age 6 when his father Henry died. Dad could only remember his Dad Henry as an old man; at age 6 almost every adult alive would qualify.

Meadows said that he and his sister quizzed a few cousins, uncles and aunts in the neighborhood and came up with Watt Meadows as being the father of Henry Franklin Meadows. Henry had four full siblings and five half siblings; all lived in or near Greenup County, Ky.

After more research, Watt Meadows was discovered to be George Washington Meadows born, who was about 1836 in Greenup County, Ky. and died about 1899 in Fayette County, Ky. He first married Elizabeth Morris of Carter County, Ky. and then later had a second wife, Elizabeth Johnson of Greenup, Ky., Meadows said.

The trail later led Meadows to southern West Virginia.

George Washington Watt Meadows (GW) was the son of Abraham Abram and Sarah Batman Meadows. Abraham was born Nov. 15, 1808 in present day Summers County, W.Va. and died March 5,1869 in Greenup County, Ky. We know GW had at least six siblings all lived and died in Greenup County, he said. Almost from the beginning of our search we came across material indicating that Abraham was likely the son of Francis and Frances Bush Meadows. The Bushes had moved to Greenup County, Ky. around 1815 from then Monroe County.

The material available years ago and still widely circulated today indicated Francis Meadows was a Revolutionary War soldier and was a brother to Rev. Josiah Meador husband of Judith Lilly of the Bluestone River present day Mercer County, W.Va., Meadows said. Francis and Frances lived on or near Powley Creek in present day Summers County, W.Va.

Meadows is now turning to DNA testing to further his research. He said that he is sure more of his ancestors still live in southern West Virginia.

Oh, definitely, he said. Theres no doubt about it. The Meadows are well populated from Giles County and Pearisburg all the way to Mason County and the Ohio River, and then they go all the way up (Interstate) 77 all the way to Akron and Cleveland.

Y-DNA from known male descendants of the Rockingham County, Va. Meadows line and the Meador line of Virginia/West Virginia show the two families are not biologically related through the early male heritage, he said.

I have no documentation for Francis Meadows, JR about 1754 to 1836 beyond Orange/Rockingham County, Va., Meadows stated. It has now has been several years since Y-DNA testing began but we have been unable to find a known male descendant of the Rev. Josiah Meador to submit a cheek swab for comparison of the 2 families; (it) must be an unbroken male chain.

Meadows said he can be contacted at 606-836-5733 and at ovmeadows@gmail.com.

ContactGreg Jordan atgjordan@bdtonline.com

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Genealogy research spurs Kentucky man to seek DNA in W.Va. - Bluefield Daily Telegraph