Trying To Find Out If My Evans Were Originally From VA

Question

I have been researching the Evans line for some time.  Name: RobertaEvans Age in 1910:24 Estimated Birth1886 Birthplace: Georgia Relation to Head Wife Father's Birth Georgia Mother's Birth: Georgia Spouse's Name: JimEvans Home in 1910: Horeb, Jasper, Goergia Marital Status: Married Race: Mulatto Gender: Female . These are my ggrandparents, but can't seem to get past Jim. He was listed as a boarder when he was 15. According to the book ,Jasper County Families, a lot of them were originally from VA and NC. I been trying to see if we have a connection with this line considering that we are also related to the Farleys.James Farley, Jr. was the son of James Farley (Sr.) and Martha Evans, m. Jul. 27, 1786, Mecklenburg Co., Va. James Farley (Sr.), b. in Amelia Co., Va. abt. 1769; d. Nov. 1825, Jasper Co., Ga. Martha Evanswas the daughter of Stephen Evans, Jr. (III), b. 1743, Mecklenburg Co., Va.; d. bef. Nov. 7, 1814, Wilkes Co., Ga.; and Obedience Ellington, b. 1745, Amelia Co., Va.; d. 1827, Wilkes Co., Ga. Stephen and Obedience m. Nov. 23, 1764, Amelia Co., Va. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi Latonya,

I found a couple of Census records on familysearch.org.  Your great-grandparents might have been: 

Great grandmother: Curley or Carlie born c. 1854 in Georgia and Abe or Abram Evans born c. 1847 in Georgia.

Grandmother: Mattie Roberta Griggs born c. 1886 and  James "Jim" Evans born c. 1886

Great grandparents household in 1880 at Carrol GA https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8L6-N2P

This looks like great grandparent's household in 1910 in Carrol, GA https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLVY-F4H  includes their children: Anna Evans, Felix Evans, Rosa Evans, Janie Evans and also grandchildren: Ruby and Ralph.

This may be your grandfather in 1900 Census https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3J2-PTC  He is living at Unionville, Proctors, Monroe, Georgia, born June 1885, age 15, a farm laborer who could not read or write (see original photo).  Not sure whether this is your grandfather or not.  His brother's names are: Arch, Dan, and Lum.

Grandparent's household in 1910: Jim age 24 and Roberta age 24.  Children are: Henry G Evans, Tommie L Evans https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ML2F-9R9

This looks like two of your grandparents' children's death certificates, James Bush and Claude Smith.

James Bush Evans born 1911 in Jasper, GA  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGCS-P4N

Claude Smith Evans  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FP72-RYH

The 1920 Census, seems your grandfather was widowed, and lists the family members.  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ86-WBF Children are: Ferman Evans, Oma Evans, Rosa P Evans, Rush Evans, Opha P Evans, Ila Mae Evans, Gladdis Evans

Looking at the 1930 Census, your grandfather (James L. Evans) is living with his mother, "Curley" Evans.  Also in the household is Janie Evans, Jim's sister.  The children: Leomah Evans, John L Evans, Opal L Evans, Illa M Evans, Gladys Evans, Cilla Evans, Clifford Evans.  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:3SD9-K3Z

Hope this helps.  You would know better than I whether these Census records apply to your family or not.  No connection to Virginia yet, but  ... the search continues!

 

Comments

Very Good Work!

Answer 2

As far as my research or reading goes, Evans is from Virginia Early Settlers. Many are also found in North Caroline & Wva. You may want to check out the Indian Rolls also. I believe I have seen that surname associated with possible Lumbee/Powhatan/Cherokee. Many of the first settlers married Indian women before females were shipped into Virginia. The mixing of races caused the laws to try to stop it, but even some women married non-whites. So basicly, what I am saying is broaden your search & keep an open mind. Good Luck!

Comments

Yes. I have seen the Evans name among Free People Of color, the Haliwa Saponi, Lumbee and Creek tribes. I'm not sure how my  ended up in GA, but always felt or told that the Evans,started out in VA. Thanks for your reply.