Joe David Bellamy

JUST PUBLISHED: George W. Bellomy: Pioneer of Oregon and California--A biography of the Bellamy ancestor who was part of the first wagon train on the Oregon Trail in 1842. He took part in actions that led to statehood for both Oregon and California, was a party to some of the largest lawsuits in U.S. history, and opened the first hotel in Santa Clara on the eve of the California Gold Rush. Until now, his life story was unknown. But due to the determined research of Constance Daniels Graves, his incredible story has been resurrected. To purchase a copy of this 248-page book, please send a check to: Joe David Bellamy, 5318 Lake Bluff Terrace, Sanford, FL 32771. Hardcover edition: $35 postpaid. Paperback edition: $25 postpaid.

Cousin Obama: Whatever their political affilations, Bellamy cousins may be surprised to learn that Barack Obama's mother is a direct descendant of Mary Bellamy, daughter of John-III, and her husband Charles Bunch. That's right--Barack is a Bellamy! One can't help feeling that at least some of Obama's popularity might be due to this early infusion of Bellamy charm.

Richard Bellamy: At the time of the publication of The Bellamys of Early Virginia, we had tested only one Georgia Bellamy in our Bellamy DNA project, who turned out not to be related to the Virginia Bellamys. However, since that time we have tested three others who are descendants of the Richard Bellamy who migrated to Georgia with the Webb family in the eighteenth century, and we have established beyond doubt that Richard Bellamy was related to the Virginia Bellamys, probably another son of John-II and a brother of Benjamin, Samuel, and John-III.

Correction: Since publishing Island in the Sky, new research has come to my attention that indicates quite convincingly that the wife of William Pace who was the mother of Nancy and Susannah Pace was not Elizabeth Wade but rather Mary Unknown. Bellamy history and genealogy has far too many Mary Unknowns, but better to know her actual first name than to wrongly attribute her children to another person.