31/12/2023
For those of you who are new to the saga of Willis clans in NC, let me give you a quick rundown of what we are facing.
Two groups of Willis have settled what is now the Lawndale/Bellwood/Shelby areas of NC.
The first to arrive are the Massechusetts group, who settled along the First Little Broad River in the 1760s. They have been definitively proven by many DNA tests and are of the Y-DNA haplogroup marker R-M269.
The second clan, of which we are a part, came from Caswell county NC to Rutherford county in the 1780s. Prior to this, they were in Goochland VA. We also have several DNA tests done and we are the Y-DNA haplogroup marker EL-117.
Many marriages took place between these two lines through the years. This has created an even bigger knot.
My goal now is simple.
Get as many interested Willis's involved, share proven stories and lineages, and sort this out!
The answers are out there. Family Bibles and photos hold treasure troves that you may not know are there. The elders are the story keepers and many of you still have them.
Let's talk this out. I know the answers are there.
Jump in wherever you feel comfortable and let's get to answering some of these questions.
Thank you all in advance,
Robin
