'The particular Bellamys I am writing about here arrived in the New World very early on, certainly no later than 1710 and possibly as early as 1634. It was a time of great upheaval in England, from whence they came, and we do not know expressly why they came. But there are a number of likely reasons.."

Joe David Bellamy's "The Bellamys of Early Virginia" provides the historical background as well as the hard evidence for a clearer understanding of this quintessentially American family. It is based on over a decade of original research into the genealogy and family history of the early Bellamys in areas of Virginia where many of the vital records were destroyed in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. This book cites numerous previously undiscovered sources, corrects many misconceptions, and puts forth compelling suggestions for further research.

I probably should have called it: What Is Colin Farrell Really Like? This is the story of my summer gig working as an extra in the film The New World, which was Terrence Malick's dramatic re-creation of the Jamestown experience and the life of Pocahontas, released in 2006 by New Line Cinema. I saw a story in the newspaper about auditions. I had very little acting experience, but I had had ancestors at Jamestown in the 1600s and was writing a book about some of them. So I thought it might help me to feel the ambience of Jamestown if I was "lucky" enough to make the cut. In the first scene on the first day, I had to perform next to Colin Farrell and Christopher Plummer. Everyone seemed to think I should know what to do Overall, I think the book will give readers a new appreciation of the talent, hard work, and sheer craziness that go into the making of a big budget Hollywood film. Reynolds Price said: "I loved your account of the stint in The New World.... The whole piece is appropriately a hoot."

'The particular Bellamys I am writing about here arrived in the New World very early on, certainly no later than 1710 and possibly as early as 1634. It was a time of great upheaval in England, from whence they came, and we do not know expressly why they came. But there are a number of likely reasons.."

Joe David Bellamy's "The Bellamys of Early Virginia" provides the historical background as well as the hard evidence for a clearer understanding of this quintessentially American family. It is based on over a decade of original research into the genealogy and family history of the early Bellamys in areas of Virginia where many of the vital records were destroyed in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. This book cites numerous previously undiscovered sources, corrects many misconceptions, and puts forth compelling suggestions for further research.