*** The Eyrse Family ****

The Family started with a total misconception as to its' own name. We all pronounce it AIRS but it has be written down in documents as Ayres, Eyres, Eyrse to name a few. These papers start in Western Va. in the early to mid 1700's . The lack of correct spelling is compounded by the loss of the 1790 Virginia census records along with the fact that the county lines were being redrawn every few years as the soon to be United States grew.

Due to this, finding where folks were has become a challenge. As far as I can tell, in the Bath County, Va. area, in 1800's, on the hills and creeks around the "Cowpasture River",

on the border with Rockbridge County is where ......

Henry Eyres married Margaret Gullespie

and their children became my family. Some moved to Illinois in the 1840's.

Sons Samuel and William bought 160 acres of land in Tazewell County, Illinois in 1850-51.

Today the family is in the Pacific Northwest in Idaho and Washington.

I'm now in California.

Still some members are living in the heartland of Illinois, where they have been from the 1850's. Others are in Ohio and Texas.

There was a big reunion in the spring of 1997 in Illinois. This was the last time this part of the clan has gotten together.

The last of my part of the line is my Grandson Severn Eric Eyrse.

So here is the list of SURNAMES that some how are linked to this family. I hope it helps you in your attempt to find your roots.

Steve