Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduKate Hill
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Linda Carol Friend Adams Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Gift.
Biographical Information:
Linda Carol Friend Adams was born on March 26, 1943 in Charlestown, West Virginia. She grew up in the towns of Ivydale and Clay, also in West Virginia, before moving to Williamsburg in 1960 to be closer to family. Adams worked as a secretary at the Williamsburg Methodist Church for six years. She also became a part-time student at the College of William and Mary, graduating with a B.A. in English in 1973. In October of 1966, she took the position of Secretary to the Curator of Manuscripts and Receptionist for Special Collections at Swem Library. She married Raymond Alexander Adams, Jr. in August of 1977.
Adams held several positions during her tenure at Swem Library, including Secretary to the Head Librarian, Head of the Reserve Room, and Coordinator of Circulation Services. She retired in 1998, after 32 years of service.
After retiring, Adams extensively researched her family's genealogy. She became involved with a number of historical organizations. She joined the Williamsburg chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and served as Recording Secretary for one year and Chapter Registrar for four. Adams also became a member of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge, the National Society of United States Daughters of 1812, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Linda Friend Adams died on September 6, 2008 in Williamsburg at the age of 65.
Scope and Contents
The collection includes the genealogical research of Linda Carol Friend Adams. It contains a number of state and county records, family documents, biographical information, emails, message board posts, research notes, and photographs that concern Adams' family history.
The majority of Adams' ancestors were located in Virginia and West Virginia. The information included here pertains to the following families (not a complete list): Adams, Allen, Barnett, Blake, Brasfield, Brock, Burns, Chapman, Cutlip, Dawson, Drake, Friend, Henley, Hill, Long, Mayo, Mosby, McClure, McCune, O'Brian, Parke, Riddle, Rogers, Rose, Semple, Sheetz, Skidmore, Smith, Stevenson, Watson, Williams, Wilson.
Arrangement of Materials:
The collection is organized into the following series and sub series: Series 1: Genealogy of Linda Carol Friend Adams, 1965-2008; Sub-series 1: Lineage of Carol Friend Adams, 2006; Sub-series 2: Genealogical Reserach, 1999-2008; Sub-series 3: Supplemental Materials, 1965-2008; Series 2: Genealogical and Historical Organizations, 1973-2008; Sub-series 1: Miscellaneous Historical Organizations, 1973-2008; Sub-series 2: United Daughters of the Confederacy, 2005-2008; Sub-series 3: National Society of the United States Daughters of 1812, 2006-2008; Sub-series 4: Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge, 2002-2008; Sub-series 5: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1999-2008.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Adams family
- College of William and Mary--Alumni and alumnae
- College of William and Mary. Swem Library
- Correspondence
- Genealogy
- Photocopies
- Photographs
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
- Virginia--Genealogy
Container List
This series contains documents, images, correspondence, and research concerning Linda Adams' genealogy. Most of the information is organized and compiled into a set of 10 three-ring binders. Additional binders and folders contain further information on her lineage, as well as her research notes.
- id47680
Lineage of Linda Carol Friend Adams2006Scope and Contents
This sub-series consists of a set of 10 three-ring binders composed and organized by Linda Adams. Beginning with an Ahnentafel Ancestry Chart, Adams traces her lineage back through 13 generations. Documents include birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, county and military records, census data, biographical information, and photographs. The information included pertains to the following families (not a complete list): Adams, Allen, Barnett, Blake, Brasfield, Brock, Burns, Chapman, Cutlip, Dawson, Drake, Friend, Henley, Hill, Long, Mayo, Mosby, McClure, McCune, O'Brian, Parke, Riddle, Rogers, Rose, Semple, Sheetz, Skidmore, Smith, Stevenson, Watson, Williams, Wilson.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 id47683
Lineage of Linda Carol Friend Adams, vol. 1-52006Scope and Contents
This box contains the first five volumes of Linda Adams' genealogy project.
- Mixed Materials Box: 2 id47684
Lineage of Linda Carol Friend Adams, vol. VI-X2006Scope and Contents
This box contains the second half of Linda Adams' genealogy project.
- Mixed Materials Box: 1 id47683
- id47681
Genealogical Research1999-2008Scope and Contents
This sub-series consists of supplemental genealogical infomation collected by Linda Adams. The range of documents include birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, county and military records, census data, biographical information, and photographs, as well as extensive research notes. The information included pertains to the following families (not a complete list): Adams, Allen, Barnett, Blake, Brasfield, Brock, Burns, Chapman, Cutlip, Dawson, Drake, Friend, Henley, Hill, Long, Mayo, Mosby, McClure, McCune, O'Brian, Parke, Riddle, Rogers, Rose, Semple, Sheetz, Skidmore, Smith, Stevenson, Watson, Williams, Wilson. There has been an attempt to maintain Adams' organization of these folders and documents as much as possible.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 id47688
Allen, Drake, Parke, Riddle, Smith Research1999-2005Scope and Contents
Grey three-ring binder organized by Linda Carol Adams. Includes research, documents, correspondence, and images concerning the Allen, Drake, Hill, Parke, Riddle, and Smith families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 id47692
Dawson & Related Research1998-2005Scope and Contents
Black three-ring binder composed and organized by Linda Adams. Includes research, documents, correspondence, and images pertaining to the Dawson, Rose, and McCune families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 id47693
Long Family with Burkett, Etris, Whitmore Research1999-2006Scope and Contents
Black three-ring binder composed and organized by Linda Adams. Includes research, documents, correspondence, and images concerning the Long, Burkett, Etris, and Whitmore families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 id47696
McCune/O'Brian Research2002-2003Scope and Contents
Blue three-ring binder composed and organized by Linda Adams. Includes research, documents, correspondence, and images relating to the McCune, Rose, and O'Brian families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 id47697
Williams Research1999-2006Scope and Contents
Grey three-ring binder composed and organized by Linda Adams. Includes research, documents, correspondence, and images relating to the Williams and Jones families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 1 id47722
Dawson, Mosby, Sheetz, Barnett research2001-2007Scope and Contents
Research documents and correspondence compiled by Linda Adams on the Dawson, Mosby, Sheetz, and Barnett families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 2 id47723
Williams and Burns research2002-2005Scope and Contents
Research documents and correspondence compiled by Linda Adams on the Williams and Burns families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 3 id47724
Williams DNA test correspondence2007Scope and Contents
A collection of printed emails between Linda Adams and others concerning a DNA test among geneaologists to prove relationship to the Williams family line.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 4 id47725
Brock, Brasfield, and Adams research2002-2006Scope and Contents
Research documents and correspondence compiled by Linda Adams on the Brock, Brasfield, and Adams families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 5 id47726
Adams DNA test information2008Scope and Contents
Information and results concerning a DNA test taken by Raymond A. Adams, Linda Adams' husband.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 6 id47727
Long and Sheetz researchcirca 2003-2004Scope and Contents
Research documents and correspondence compiled by Linda Adams on the Long and Sheetz families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 7 id47728
James Smith supplement?-2006Scope and Contents
Research documents and correspondence compiled by Linda Adams on James Smith of Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 8 id47963
Friend, Blake, Davis, Hill, Smith, Skidmore, McClure, and Cutlip research2006-2008Scope and Contents
Research documents and correspondence compiled by Linda Adams on the Friend, Blake, Davis, Hill, Smith, Skidmore, McClure, and Cutlip families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 9 id47964
Mayo and Henley research2008Scope and Contents
Research documents and correspondence compiled by Linda Adams on the Mayo and Henley families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 10 id47965
Research shared with/connected to Rev. Albert Elswick2001-2005Scope and Contents
This folder contains correspondence and documents exchanged with or connected to Rev. Albert Elswick, a distant cousin of Linda Adams. Information is included on the following families (not a complete list): Semple, Wilson, Watson, and Stevenson.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 11 id47966
Research from Rev. Albert Elswick2003 MarchScope and Contents
This folder contains the contents of an envelope sent to Linda Adams from Rev. Albert Elswick. Includes information on the Semple and Wilson families from Pennsylvania, as well as a photograph labeled "Jeremiah Butler's 'tooth puller.'"
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 12 id47967
Research from Rev. Albert Elswick2004 DecemberScope and Contents
This folder contains the contents of an envelope sent to Linda Adams from Rev. Albert Elswick. Includes information on the Semple and Stevenson families of Pennsylvania, as well as photographs of a cemetary.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 13 id47968
Miscellaneous genealogical researchcirca 2003-2008Scope and Contents
This folder contains information and notes on various families that were not organized within the rest of the collection.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 14 id47985
Research notes?-2008Scope and Contents
This folder contains a variety of Linda Adams' genealogy research notes.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 id47720
Friend, Frame, and Harris research2003-2006Scope and Contents
Black three-ring binder composed and organized by Linda Adams. Includes research, documents, correspondence, and images relating to the Friend, Frame, and Harris families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 id47721
Drake, Hill, Smith, Allen research2003-2006Scope and Contents
Blue file composed and organized by Linda Adams. Includes printed emails, message board posts, and library catalog search results pertaining to research on the Drake, Hill, Smith, and Allen families.
- Mixed Materials Box: 3 id47688
- id47682
Supplemental Materials1965-2008Scope and Contents
This sub-series includes the various correspondence of Linda Adams, the majority of which consists of printed emails and message board posts with other genealogists. Photographs of gravestones and historical markers connected to Adams' research are also included.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 15 id47980
Letters, emails, message board posts1999-2008Scope and Contents
This folder contains a variety of letters, printed emails, and copies of message board postings relating to Linda Adams interest and research in genealogy.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 16 id47981
Photographs and negativesundatedScope and Contents
This folder contains negatives and photographs included with Linda Adams' genealogy research. Includes photos of gravestones and Fort Donnally.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 17 id47988
Augusta and Greenbrier Counties, West Virginia researchpublished 1965-1988Scope and Contents
Contains photocopied excerpts of documents relating to the history of Augusta and Greenbrier Counties in West Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 18 id47992
Ritchie County, West Virginia research2004-2005Scope and Contents
This folder contains information concerning Linda Adams' research of Ritchie County, West Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 19 id47997
Virginia Revolutionary Publick Claims, vol. 3, compiled by Janice L. Abercrombie and Richard SlattenundatedScope and Contents
Copied exceprts of the "Virginia Revolutionary Publick Claims," vol. 3 by Janice L. Abercrombie an Richard Slatten.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 20 id47998
Hampshire Country Minute Book Abstracts, 1788-1802, compiled by Vicki Bidinger Horton1993Scope and Contents
Exceprts of "Hampshire County Minute Book Abstracts" compiled by Vicki Bidinger Horton.
- Mixed Materials Box: 4 Folder: 15 id47980
This series contains materials relating to Linda Adams' involvement in a variety of genealogical and historical societies. Included are files concerning her membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, National Society of United States Daughters of 1812, Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
- id48002
Miscellaneous Historical Societies1973-2008Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains information and publications on a variety of historical societies that Linda Adams was a member of or used in her research.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 1 id47999
Miscellaneous Historical Society Information and Publications1982-2007
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 2 id48000
Greenbrier Historical Society2004-2006Scope and Contents
Contains newsletters and journals from the Greenbrier Historical Society of West Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 3 id48001
Henckel Genealogical Bulletin1973-2002
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 1 id47999
- id48004
United Daughters of the Confederacy2005-2008Scope and Contents
This sub-series includes information relating to Linda Adams' membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Her qualifying ancestors are listed as Oliver M. McButler and Richard Williams.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 4 id48014
United Daughters of the Confederacy application and membership2005-2008Scope and Contents
This folder contains application and membership information, promotional materials, research and correspondence relating to Linda Adams' association with the Daughters of the Confederacy. Her qualifying ancestor is listed as Oliver M. McButler of Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 5 id48057
United Daughters of the Confederacy, Williams supplement2006-2007Scope and Contents
Contains research information and documents concerning Linda Adams' ancestor Richard Williams in realtion to her membership in the Daughters of the Confederacy.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 4 id48014
- id48005
National Society of United States Daughters of 18122006-2008Scope and Contents
This subseries includes information relating to Linda Adams' association with the United States Daughters of 1812. Her qualifying ancestor is listed as Andrew Skidmore from Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 5 id48059
National Society of United States Daughters of 18122006-2008Scope and Contents
Contains membership application, genealogical research, newsletters, and correspondence relating to Linda Adams' association with the United States Daughters of 1812. Her qualifying ancestor is listed as Andrew Skidmore from Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 5 id48059
- id48006
Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge2002-2008Scope and Contents
This sub-series includes information on Linda Adams' membership with the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge. Her qualifying ancestor is listed as John McCollum.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 7 id48061
Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge2002-2008Scope and Contents
Contains application information, correspondence, newsletters, and reserach infomation on Linda Adams' association with the Descendants of Valley Forge. Her qualifying ancestor is listed as John McCollum from Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 7 id48061
- id48007
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution1999-2008Scope and Contents
This sub-series includes a range of documents relating to Linda Adams' involvement in the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). There has been an attempt to maintain as much of her organization of these folders and documents as possible.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 8 id48065
Daughters of the American Revolution correspondence, chapter activites, miscellaneous2002-2008Scope and Contents
This folder contains correspondence, chapter information, and news clippings concerning Linda Adams' role as a member of the Williamsburg chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 9 id48066
Daughters of the American Revolution, Rose supplement2002-2003Scope and Contents
Contains research information on Issac Rose, one of Linda Adams' qualifying ancestors for the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 10 id48067
Daughters of the American Revolution, McCollum supplement2002-2003Scope and Contents
Contains research information on John McCollum, one of Linda Adams qualifying ancestors in the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 11 id48070
Daughters of the American Revolution, McClure supplement2003-2004Scope and Contents
Contains research information on Arthur McClure, one of Linda Adams' qualifying ancestors in the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 12 id48074
Daughters of the American Revolution, Sheetz supplement2004-2006Scope and Contents
Contains research information on Jacob Sheetz, one of Linda Adams' qualifying ancestors in the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 13 id48077
Daughters of the American Revolution, Dawson supplement2007-2008Scope and Contents
Contains research information and other DAR applications in realtion to John Dawson, one of Linda Adams' qualifying ancestors in the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 14 id48078
Daughters of the American Revolution, Chapman supplementundatedScope and Contents
Contains research information on Jacob Chapman, one of Linda Adams' qualifying ancestors in the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 15 id48079
Daughters of the American Revolution, Hinkel, Skidmore, and Chapman supplements2002-2008Scope and Contents
This folder contains miscellaneous reserach information and documents collected by Linda Adams on four of her qualifying ancestors in the DAR: Maria Magdalena Eschmann Hinkle, John Justus Hinkle, Sr., Agnes Caldwell Skidmore, John Skidmore, and Jacob Chapman.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 16 id48080
Battle of Green Spring Veterans research2006-2007Scope and Contents
Contains correspondence and research into the Virginians who fought during the American Revolution.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 17 id48081
Daughters of the American Revolution, Drake supplement (for Oma Hendrick Mills)undatedScope and Contents
Contains a membership application and research information from Oma Henricks Mills. She and Linda Adams both claim George Drake as a qualifying ancestor in the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 18 id48082
Daughters of the American Revolution, Henckel supplement (for Harriet Doughman Rosentahl)1999Scope and Contents
Contains the membership application for Harriet Doughman Rosentahl. She and Linda Adams both claim John Justus Henckel/Hinckel as a qualifying ancestor in the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 19 id48083
Daughters of the American Revolution, Allen supplement (for Kathleen Curren Wasem)2004Scope and Contents
Contains membership application and research information for Kathleen Curren Wasem. She and Linda Adams both claim Joshua B. Allen as a qualifying ancestor in the DAR.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 id48084
Daughters of the American Revolution supplements2001-2008Scope and Contents
This red binder contains research, correspondence, and membership records relating to three of Linda Adams' qualifying ancestors in the DAR: Aaron Smith, George Drake, and Joshua B. Allen.
- Mixed Materials Box: 5 Folder: 8 id48065