Comments and Clarifications Regarding the Brewer-Lanier Database

Now that the databases are back online there is a need to clarify and comment in particular, the restored Brewer-Lanier Database. Much of this is a repeat of what has been previously written both within the posts of this site and on the main page of the Brewer-Lanier Database and in the post of January 20, 2015, which was written when the database was first launched. I think it is best to start with what the database is NOT.

What the Brewer-Lanier Database is NOT: The Brewer-Lanier Database is not an account of all the descendants of George Brewer and his two wives, Sarah Lanier and Alice (___). It is not intended to be a complete and final genealogy of George Brewer's descendants (although a professional quality genealogy of George Brewer's descendants is needed if someone out there is up to the task). Descendants of daughters will not be followed. The database will be focused upon lines of descent from George Brewer for which we have a descendant providing Y-DNA test results through the Brewer DNA Project. All that is from the post of January 20, 2015, and I will add, that the material found within the pages of the database was not created for the purpose of being blindly copied and pasted to any individual trees or websites created online or off by anyone. The information and relationships found within the pages are not intended to be copied verbatim without analysis or thought to just what it is one is copying.

What the Brewer-Lanier Database IS: The Brewer-Lanier Database is created as a companion to the Brewer DNA Project. It is to be used as an aid for identifying and archiving correct lineages for those participants in the Brewer DNA Project who are, or are believed to be descendants of George Brewer of Brunswick County, Virginia. All lineages entered into the database must be verifiable through the use of primary records. Many lines that cannot be proved are not included. The objective is to create a database that includes as many proved lineages from the progenitor, George Brewer, as possible so as to create a Y-DNA profile for the progenitor, and hopefully for each of his sons. All that is adopted and slightly modified from the main page of the database, found there under the date of January 20, 2015. And I would add to this that the database was placed online, not only as a resource to be used by members of the Brewer DNA Project, but also as a vehicle to encourage new Brewer ancestry researchers to contact and join the Brewer DNA Project. David V. Brewer is the co-administrator at the Brewer DNA Project who covers the sub-group of members who are genetically matched through Y-Chromosome DNA testing, and who are (or are believed to be) descendants of George Brewer of Brunswick Co., Virginia, which is referred to at the project as the "Lanier-Brewer" sub-group*. Members of the project and those considering joining the project can contact David through the About page at the Brewer DNA Project website. (The Brewer DNA Project is affiliated with Family Tree DNA, and a Y-DNA test is a requirement for joining the project).

Now to further clarify and update. Although the current main page of the Brewer-Lanier Database states that it will periodically be updated, that action is no longer possible. I am no longer able to update the database. What is found on the database was last updated on November 5, 2015. While some of it as since been found to be incorrect or incomplete, it will remain as is so long as the database is online. This is one reason why I ask that you not copy verbatim from the database. First review, analyze and check what is found on the database (and then feel free to use what you found to be correct). In order to at least partially alleviate the problem of not being able to update, I will start a post on this website dedicated to Corrections and Additions to the Brewer-Lanier Database. So, if you find an error, or believe some individual or information should be added to the database, feel free to contact me, or contact David through the Brewer DNA Project site (and he can forward it to me). I will add it to the corrections and additions post. I just ask that you be concise, and that you provide supporting evidence, data, reasons, for your correction or addition.

Finally, I'd like to mention that beginning back in late 2014, I began writing posts focused on George Brewer and some of his descendants. Links for some of the posts (those dated up to March 1, 2015) can be found on this page at the Brewer-Lanier Database site. Others can be found on this site under the label "Brewers in the South." What I said above under, What the Brewer-Lanier Database is NOT, applies to these posts as well. The conclusions found within the posts are not the final word. They are my own best attempt at analyzing  the data, records and information, some of it obtained from others. Anyone who has spent any time researching ancestors and families who lived during the colonial period in the southern regions of the American colonies (really much of that south of New Jersey and Pennsylvania) know just how scarce primary records are. There are very few, and in many cases absolutely no vital records (births, marriages and deaths). Probate records only cover a fraction of those who lived during this time, and land records (land grants and recorded deeds) are time consuming to locate and analyze. So, what is presented on the Brewer-Lanier Database and in the posts on this blog, is simply done on a "best efforts basis," so to speak. Take it as a start and try to improve upon it.

*I chose to name the database "Brewer-Lanier," rather then "Lanier-Brewer," so as to avoid confusion with certain specific men of the name Lanier Brewer, who lived during the 18th and 19th centuries.

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