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Hello,

My name is Christopher Smith. I believe I am descended from a Maj. Lawrence Smith who was born in 1629 in Burnley. His father was a Christopher Smith who married an Elizabeth (Townley) Halsted.

Maj. Lawrence Smith started his family with Mary Deadman in Gloucester Co, VA. He and his brother, John Smith of Gloucester Co, VA, are part of the founding families of The United States and were rather close relatives to General George Washington (their common ancestor was Lawrence Smith and Jennet Halsted).

This lineage is one of the most incorrectly recited on the internet. I have taken it upon myself to review every claim to this line and have also used autosomal DNA to verify everything.

I have created a Yahoo! group called "The Smiths of Burnley" where I hope to archive all of the source material for this Smith line and wish to invite you to join us. I am re-discovering many forgotten stories and also making deep connections to the past.

http://groups.yahoo.com/SmithsOfBurnley

If you know of anyone who is a Smith descended from the Smiths of Pighole, Blacko, or Stone Hedge, please invite them to join my website.

I have both a 67 marker yDNA test and autosomal DNA to compare against.

Thanks for the great website!

Christopher Smith
Jacksonville, FL, USA

Apologies for the delay to approve your post

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

I think with the timezone difference it all works out

Hi,
I have two Smith families from Briercliffe.
1) Richard Smith baptised 8th April 1853, Haggate Baptist Chapel. He was married to Susan and they had Elizabeth (Betty) Smith born 29th Nov 1826 Extwistle, baptised 25th Dec 1826 St Peters Burnley.
2) Martha Smith born c1790 Briercliffe married Henry Edmondson of Briercliffe on 1st Sept 1816 St Peters Burnley.

I haven't done much work on these families hence the info is a bit sketchy.

Gloria

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.