LAMME/LAMB/LAM Family of Virginia USA

[DMLMD]

I am at a real brick wall in research, and would greatly appreciate it if anyone has any knowledge or information they can share.

This family lived in the USA, state of Virginia, Counties of Rockingham, Augusta, and Rockbridge.

I am looking for William LAMME (He was illiterate, and his name is variously spelled LAMME, LAMB, and LAM).  He was born about 1785-1789, but I don't know if he was born in Virginia or in the UK.  I assume Virginia, but can't prove it. If he was born in the UK, I would assume there should be emigrant/passenger lists, but I can't find any.  About 1808, he married Elizabeth Ware (also spelled Weir). I can't find any birth or death records for either William or Elizabeth. 

They had three sons: James (born 1809 in Rockingham County); Matthew (also called Matthias, born 1811 in Rockingham County); and John (born 8 November 1813 in Rockingham County).

This is not an easy family to research!  At the same time in Rockingham County, there were 3 or 4 William Lam's, all married to Elizabeth's.  Most seem to have sons John and James. 

William's parents were apparently named James and Elizabeth. Some have said that her maiden name was Givens or Guivens, but I can't document it.

This is not the William who married a lady named Elizabeth Henning (or Herring).  I also do not think he is the one who married Elizabeth Crawford.

You can see why I am totally lost-- any help would be gratefully accepted.

[charsuewilson]

Virginia did not begin to record births, marriages, or deaths until 1853.  Then they stopped recording births and deaths in 1896 and did not resume recording them until 1912 or 1913.  Marriages continued to be recorded during this time.

Earlier marriages were recorded at the county or city level, so you have to contact the county or city for those records.

Church records of births and deaths were spotty and rare.

Probate records (which would indicate death) were recorded at the county or city level.  (Cities in Virginia are not a part of the county, even if that county surrounds the city)

[Erato]

"If he was born in the UK, I would assume there should be emigrant/passenger lists"

The passenger lists are very patchy in that time frame so, if he was born in England, you shouldn't expect to find him on one.

[DMLMD]

My apologies to you both for this late response--- Normal excuses apply:  Computer problems and I just stopped doing genealogy for a while.   However, Now I'm back to it, and I do appreciate your input.  Unfortunately, it's hard to do research at the county or city level, when I'm not even sure which  County would be relevant.  But, I'm working on it, trying some of your suggestions.

Thanks again.   

[usaPetticrew]

I have found these useful sites, so try searching for your surname variations in them.

http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/
CHANCERY RECORDS INDEX

http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F
Library of Virginia catalog.  It has many old records digitized.   Example:

http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F?func=find-b&find_code=WRD&request=lamme

It is important to remember that both Rockbridge (part of) and Rockingham were formed from Augusta Co. in 1778.  So Augusta Co. records pre-1778 might place your Lammes in what is today Rockbridge or Rockingham.

Also important to remember that pre-Revolutionary War, Virgina was part of Britain, so few immigration records were kept for British subjects.  Travel across the Atlantic was to them like our driving from one state to another; no government travel documents needed.

http://www.augustacountyhs.org/ACHS_Index_1985_-_1999.pdf
Augusta County Historical Society Bulletin Index
p. 308:  Lamme, William  27 (S91) 3

Without a key to help me, I interpret that notation as Vol 27, (Spring 1991), page 3.

There were also a bunch of Lam and Lamb entries on page 307.

This may be of interest to you as it mentions an early Robert Lamme of Augusta Co.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11771005
William T. Lamme, 1777-1840

There is a lot of great info here, which you likely have seen already:

http://books.google.com/books?id=Wi5CAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA186
Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volumes 44-45, pg 186.
3262:  Lamme-Patterson entry.

[DMLMD]

I have found these useful sites, so try searching for your surname variations in them.

Thanks for the recommendations, I will try those resources.  I appreciate the guidance.