This volume is a surname study of the Gilbert and Hopkins families of Messick, Poquoson, York County, Virginia. Every census record from 1790 to 1910 known to pertain to these Poquoson families has been abstracted and cited. The current volume brings each family from its earliest mention in the colonial era down to the present. Many female lines have been followed for one or more generations, but most female lines have not been followed for more than one or two generations. The text is well illustrated with early photographs and includes a bibliography and an index of every individual known to be related by birth or marriage to the families studied in this volume. Most of the family photographs in this volume have never before been published. This is Mr. Willett's tenth volume of family history, and his seventh volume on the Messick area of Poquoson, York County, Virginia. Mr. Willett is related to most of the Poquoson families through his maternal Martin and Hopkins ancestors; he is a family history researcher and recognized authority on the Willett surname and on his maternal families of Poquoson, York County, Virginia

Charles Edward Banks (1854-1931) was a military surgeon, best known for his 126 genealogy publications. In the preface to "The History of Martha's Vineyard, Banks summed up his influential genealogy research, "I have been diligent in gleaning materials, but the last fact will never be found for many years to come."