PRESS RELEASE

  PRESS RELEASE

Four-Volume Genealogical Study of the Lea Family of Caswell and Person Counties, North Carolina, Published

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde-Beatty announces the publication of the four-volume genealogical and historical study James Lea, James Lea, James Lea, 1790 Caswell County, North Carolina: Which One Married the Bankston Daughter? Ronald S. Beatty served as editor. Published by AuthorHouse in 2026, the four volumes are available through AuthorHouse, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

About the Books

James Lea, James Lea, James Lea investigates the early Lea families of Caswell County and Person County, North Carolina, with particular attention to identifying the James Lea who was deposed in 1794 and determining which James Lea married a daughter of the Bankston (Bankson) family.

The four-volume work combines traditional genealogical research using original records with land research, deed and grant analysis, platted maps, and modern Y-DNA and Big Y-DNA genetic genealogy.

Volume I - Genealogical Research and Analysis

Researching James Lea of Caswell County, North Carolina, who was deposed in 1794, has been challenging because decades of erroneous genealogical information have obscured the identities of several men named James Lea.

Volume I addresses these problems through a comprehensive examination of the Lea families of Caswell and Person Counties, North Carolina, based upon original historical records. It presents the evidence concerning the early Lea families and outlines their first three generations.

Particular attention is given to distinguishing the different men named James Lea and to the relationship between the Lea and Bankston/Bankson families.

• Volume I — Research / original-record study: ISBN 979-8823056083. 

Volume II - Original Records and Source Documents

Volume II contains appendices and reproductions of the original genealogical and historical records cited and analyzed in Volume I.  These source materials provide documentary support for the conclusions presented in the genealogical study and allow researchers to examine the underlying evidence.

•  Volume II — Appendices: ISBN 979-8823056366. 

 

Volume III - Lea Family Big Y-DNA and Genetic Genealogy

Volume III presents in color the Big Y-DNA study of the Lea family of Caswell and Person Counties, North Carolina, which appears in black and white in Volume I.

This extensive Lea Y-DNA genetic genealogy study provides important evidence concerning the relationships and heritage of the early Lea families and helps distinguish family lines that cannot be reliably separated through documentary records alone.

The Y-DNA research was conducted by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde and compiled and analyzed by Dr. Maurice Gleeson of England, an internationally recognized genetic genealogist.

• Volume III — Maurice Gleeson’s DNA Report in Color: ISBN 979-8823053174. 

Volume IV - Platted Maps, Land Grants, and Deeds

Volume IV presents platted maps, land grants, and deeds of the early Lea families of Caswell and Person Counties, North Carolina.

The land records provide geographical and historical context for the Lea families discussed throughout the four-volume study and offer researchers another means of distinguishing individuals and reconstructing relationships among the early Lea families.

• Volume IV — Maps, Grants and Deeds: ISBN 978-1-4582-2486-6. AuthorHouse lists it as the 524-page volume published 

 

Publication Information

Author: Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde-Beatty

Editor: Ronald S. Beatty

Publisher: AuthorHouse

Publication: 2026

Research Topics and Keywords

James Lea genealogy; Lea family genealogy; Caswell County North Carolina genealogy; Person County North Carolina genealogy; James Lea Caswell County; Lea family North Carolina; Bankston genealogy; Bankson genealogy; Lea Bankston family; Lea Bankson family; North Carolina genealogy; Y-DNA genealogy; Big Y-DNA; genetic genealogy; Lea Y-DNA; Caswell County deeds; Caswell County land grants; Person County deeds; North Carolina land records; genealogical proof; original genealogical records; eighteenth-century North Carolina genealogy

National Genealogical Society Quarterly Review, Winter 2026

National Genealogical Society Review 

Separating same-named individuals  living in the same location at the  same time is a common genealogical challenge. Sorting through widespread misinformation is a hurdle to overcome before a sound genealogical conclusion can be reached. To ascertain the truth, a researcher must know the subject matter thoroughly and conduct meticulousresearch to piece together evidence from reliable sources. Such is the case with three men named James Lea living in Caswell County , North Carolina, circa 1790: one on Country Line Creek; one onCobb's Creek; and one on Kilgore'sBranch. Past researchers have confused and conflated the trio. The Reverend Dr. Cynthia Forde-Beatty sets out to separate their identities with well-documented research to determinewhich one married the daughter of Lawrence Bankston in 1754. Forde-Beatty's passion for the subjectmatter is evident. At times she warns the reader to pay close attention to details not yet proven. To identify and separate the three Lea men she correlates evidence from tax lists, deeds, court records, and a diary. Forde-Beatty uses timelines, signature comparisons, and DNA evidence, and other tools to help the reader understand her research and finding.~.

Volume I provides detailed research conducted for each of the Lea men, discusses problem areas with past research-at times with an unnecessarily judgmental tone, and provides timelines and genealogies to illustrate findings. 

Volume 2 contains images and document transcriptions discussed throughout volume I. Although many also appear in volume I, this separate volume provides  a convenient reference while reading.

Volume 3 begins with a DNA overview and continues with a comprehensive DNA study for Lea and Lee test takers. Colored graphs illustrate   findings. The author also calls for future Lea test takers needed for a more comprehensive study. 

While portions of the genealogies in volume I are well cited with reliable sources, some statements lack proof. For example, some of the stated birth and death dates rely on undocumented Find a Grave memorials. Also, citing original records would be better than derivative and authored sources. At times, the volume lreads like a travelogue rather than a scholarly work, and could be further edited and condensed.

This work leaves room for improvement in meering genealogy standards.Nevertheless, Rev. Dr. Forde-Beatty has collected and correlated solid evidenc from reliable sources rhat separates the three James Leas in Caswell County, North Carolina, circa 1790.

Keith Beny, CG

Roanoke, Virginia

keirh@yourlineage.net

J'II Mrt!<e Me A lXlorld: lhe I 00-Year

Journey of Blrick Hist01y Month.

By Jarvis R. Givens. Published by

HarperCollins Publishers; 195

Broadway; New York, NY 10007;

www.harpercollins.com; 2026. ISBN

978-0-06-347882-4. 245

James Lea, Brother to Capt William, Departed at Home of His Son W…

Bible of Alexander Rose, son-in-law of Capt. William Lea, given by Dr. Rose to the NC State Archives:

 A page of this Bible has the penned statement:

"James Lea brother of Captn. William departed this life at his son W at Caswell Court House, the..." (179… blurred)

This information also appears on page 166 of Dr. Ben L. Rose's book, ALEXANDER ROSE OF PERSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.

‘The foregoing three items provide conclusive proof that Captain William Lea and James Lea of Caswell Court House (later named Yanceyville), Caswell Co., NC, were brothers.”

James Lea of Kilgores Branch had a son William (Merchant) Lea living in Courthouse.  James Lea of Country Line Creek also had a son William who no longer lived in North Carolina. He had moved to Wilkes County, GA between 1784 and 1788. He was deceased by 1794 in Wilkes County.