Burgess Surname DNA Project Report #4
Dear Burgess Genealogists,
We have some new results in hand, and some major new finds.
Number markers received for the line of Col. William Burgess of Anne Arundel Co., Maryland, do NOT match those of Edward Burgess of Prince Georges Co., Maryland and Pittsylvania Co., Virginia, and also do NOT match those of William Burgess of Prince Georges and Montgomery Cos., Maryland, although the latter two individuals do match each other and have a common Burgess ancestor.Many genealogists had assumed that these three lines were all one family.That's not the case, and it's clear that we must look elsewhere for a possible father or ancestor of the latter two (who could be brothers).
However, Col. William may be related to Thomas Burgess of Sandwich, Mass., and to George H. Burgess of Lancashire, England; further testing is being conducted to determine whether these tentative matches are real.
The numbers from the family of John Meredith Burgess of Kanawha Co., West Virginia, match those of William Burgess of Bedford Co., Virginia, and those of William Burgess of Richmond (later King George) Co., Virginia; they have a common Burgess ancestor, name unknown.
I think it likely that John Meredith Burgess is the same individual as the Jack Meredith Burgess mentioned in unattributed lists of the children of John Burgess of Fluvanna Co., Virginia, eldest son of William of Bedford--but there's as yet no proof of this.
The personal property tax lists of Bedford Co., Virginia for the early nineteenth century record James Burgess, who later settled in Fayette Co., West Virginia, usually together with one William Burgess; the latter is last listed in 1816.Armstead Burgess, eldest son of Keziah Burgess, is apprenticed in Bedford Co. at the age of nine in 1817.If William Burgess had died during the preceding year, and if he was providing support for this family, his passing may have been the cause for Armstead being bonded out at this time.These are the only male Burgesses listed in the county during this period.
We now have 39 participants, with 31 test results in hand.Some of the latter are in the process of being enhanced from 12 to 25 markers.As always, please check my personal website, www.millefleurs.tv, for the latest information and the actual test results, as well as for background histories of the Burgess families currently represented.
All good wishes:
Prof. Michael Burgess