NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY 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 muse know the subject matter

thoroughly and conduct meticulous

research 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 on

Cobb's Creek; and one on Kilgore's

Branch. Past researchers have confused

and conflated the trio. The Reverend

Dr. Cynthia Forde-Beatty sets our

to separate their identities with welldocumented

research to determine

which one married the daughter of

Lawrence Bankston in 1754.

Forde-Beatty's passion for the subject

matter 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, DNA evidence,

and ocher cools to help che reader understand

her research and finding.~.

Volume I provides detailed research

conducted for each of the Lea men,

discusses problem areas wirh past

research-at times with an unnecessarily

judgmental cone -and provides

timelines and genealogies co illuscrace

findings.

Volume 2 contains images and

document transcriptions discussed

rhroughout 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 and rabies illustrate

findings. The amhor also calls for fumre

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 rhe stated birth and

death daces rely on undocumented Find

a Grave memorials. Also, citing original

records would be better than derivative

and authored sources. At times, volume

l reads 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 ;md correlated solid evidence

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