W. Samuel Williams is a professional genealogist with a focus on Central Virginia, African American, and Greek American research. Sam received the NGS Certificate in American Genealogical Studies and is currently in ProGen Study Group 50. He has presented on genealogical topics to local societies and at conferences. He serves as the vice chair of the NGS Delegate Council Steering Committee, is on the Program Committee for the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society, and is a member of APG, NGS, Virginia Genealogical Society, and the Virtual Genealogical Association.
Sam grew up in Chesterfield County and Powhatan County, Virginia. He graduated from James Madison University in 2009 after double majoring in International Affairs and Spanish with a dual focus on Latin America and the Middle East. After college, Sam worked in community development by serving with AmeriCorps VISTA in Philadelphia, PA. Sam then moved to Boston where he received a Master of Divinity in 2013 from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
After working for three years as a youth director in New Jersey, Sam moved back to his home state of Virginia. He currently serves as the Pastoral Assistant at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach. Sam has been actively researching his family since 2014, but has had an interest in his family's story since he was a child.
After working for three years as a youth director in New Jersey, Sam moved back to his home state of Virginia. He currently serves as the Pastoral Assistant at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach. Sam has been actively researching his family since 2014, but has had an interest in his family's story since he was a child.
You can learn more about his genealogy story by:
- reading "My Genealogy Journey"
- watching his interview on Faces of NextGen Live
- listening to his 1 December 2020 interview "Building a Family Forest" on Stories in Our Roots Podcast
When Sam isn't with friends and family, or doing genealogical research, you can find him enjoying a good cup of coffee or geeking out about linguistics or history.
I tripped across your page while searching for others in my area who are providing genealogical services. (Yay for networking!) I read all about Douglas, what an interesting story! I look forward to finding & following you on Twitter, and possibly seeing you occasionally on #AncestryHour ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Sam,
ReplyDeleteI hope this post finds you well. This is Terrell Fleming and I am currently the History and Social Science Specialist for Powhatan County Public Schools. As a graduate of Powhatan, would you be interested in speaking with some of our students about researching their family history. My email address is Terrell.Fleming@powhatan.k12.va.us. I hope to hear from you soon.
- Terrell
Sam, I believe I've written before. My great grandfather was William Waddill, Jr. who purchased Bush Hill in Charles City, VA from Dr. Junius Roane (Roane owned it from 1845-1907). His daughter, my grandmother, was Louise Harwood Waddill, married Edward Duncan McIntyre, widowed, remarried Percy Walls. I would love to share with you what I have found, regarding his store in New Hope, photographs--I have the 1878 dictionary he purchased from Dr. Roane in 1907. I have, and I am sure you have seen, the VA Bar Association published memorial about Judge Waddill.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam, I came to your site via the 2022 APG Conference. It was mentioned in the session about blogs. I grew up in Chesterfield County, also. I'm a Thomas Dale grad and then went to Longwood College. Love your site! Take care!
ReplyDelete