This superb study is the culmination of decades of research by John Blankenbaker, the foremost authority on the families that came to Germanna in 1717 and others that joined them later. Every descendant of these families needs this book. It includes background on Governor Spotswood, the Germans' sojourn in England, Hebron Church, land grants in Madison County, and much more. Every family surname has a section devoted to its background in Germany and early years in Virginia. Descriptive photographs from the Blankenbakers' travels to the villages from which these families emigrated are a bonus.