Virginia/West Virginia context

The Civil War was fought between April 1861 and April 1865.  West Virginia broke from Virginia and became a Union state June 20, 1863. 

Hannan District, Mason County information 

1860 map of Slavery in pre-Civil War Virginia from Library of Congress 

The hard truth is that we have slaveholders in our Virginian ancestry.   Here are some articles I have found to be interesting or important in helping me process.  

Reclaiming Kin: Suggestions for the White Descendants of Slave Holders  from Robyn N. Smith 

Article by John W. Miller in the Jesuit Review 

Slave Name Roll Project 

Opening Doors in Brick Walls 

Fisher Ancestors who were slave holders: 

Minor Wilkes (1737-1811)