Whence I Came

From as early as 1744, there has been reference to a group of Andersons in Hanover County, Virginia known as "Scotch" which has been interpreted to mean that they were of Scottish heritage. The "Scotch" reference was apparently used to differentiate themselves from the Andersons of Hanover County who were not of Scottish heritage. But because both Anderson families used some of the same forenames including Robert, Charles, and David, it has been difficult to differentiate between the two families. In addition, both families also had Louisa County connections! Overtime, these two Anderson families became a big bowl of Anderson rigatoni and rotini pasta - all mixed together! I know, not very Scottish. But you get the picture! But thanks to YDNA testing and good ole fashion document research, the Anderson rigatoni and rotini are slowly being separated into two genetically different Anderson families. An Anderson YDNA tester from Aberdeen, Scotland has even helped to na...

The Anderson Land Patent for Goldmine The Andersons are one of those prolific families of which you'll find connections to in just about every other family in early Hanover County. They also owned land all over Hanover County, within both St. Paul's and St. Martin's Parishes. One particular location in which they lived, and are probably most known for, is the Anderson plantation located at Goldmine Creek. In fact, back in 1913 Edward Lowell Anderson published a book entitled The Andersons of Gold Mine, Hanover County, Virginia. Interestingly, Edward Lowell Anderson stated in his book that he was unable to find the origin of the land. But an expanded inspection of one particular Anderson land patent gives the location away. The land for the Goldmine plantation appears to have been issued in a 1723 land patent of 400 acres granted to Robert Anderson of Hanover County and Charles Anderson of King William County for the sum of 40 shillings, The patent can be viewed on the  Li...