JUST PASSING THROUGH?

One source, to date, makes mention of a William Terry and a Thomas Terry who were listed on a 1774 delinquent tax list for Botetourt Co., Va. That source is Botetourt County, VA, Its Men 1770-1777 by Charles T. Burton, see notes pg. 21.

Is it significant that in 1811 in Greenup Co., KY there is a Wm and Thomas Terry mentioned?

Were the two men merely some who paused in Botetourt Co., VA, traveling one of the many roads (Traders Way, Warriors Path, Great Wagon Road, Carolina Road?) and lingered before moving on to the west?

A source also notes the presence of a TORY William Terry in the area - briefly - and one in eastern Virginia (where there were also William. Thomas, John, etc. Terry's leading to many confusions).  I recall an old joke about everybody's patriot ancestor was an officer and fought for independence. I also recall hearing that one major national patriotic lineage society back in the 1960's or 1970's had to rework a lot of records because it was found that many people used an ancestor who had been patriotic - but he had worn a red coat instead of blue. Simply finding an a record of a person with the same name is not enough and a person should always continue to search for that additional supporting evidence that the right one has been found. (Read about that at The Genealogical Proof Standard (National Institute) • FamilySearch) .

From that source is this regarding the Genealogic Proof Standard:

"The GPS is almost simplicity itself. It is a logical procedural series that good family historians and genealogists have always followed, even if subconsciously. The five steps are:

Making as wide a search as possible for sources that could help establish the identity, event or relationship under investigation.

Recording in proper, acceptable format the source citation and/or the provider of the information.

Analyzing and correlating the collected information—evaluating the quality of sources and the reliability of information within them.

Resolving any conflicting, contradictory evidence with reasoned argument.

Stating your conclusion convincingly (more than a “balance of probability”)."

The WEST - that land south of the Ohio River - was opening up and that was luring many people seeking new opportunities, more space, or just new experiences.

So, because there are these people who simply pass through the records, use with caution:

Family Trees, especially those without documentation or proofs

Unsourced information (identify it as family legend, from an old letter (dates and places and to whom, etc.)

I have searched through over one hundred trees recently seeking someone citing evidence for a claim about a person. Nowhere has there been one citation of residence, tax, census, marriage, etc. to prove the person ever existed or married the person they claim to have married. No one cites a family story!

This data is simply plopped down and taken to be correct...

Search forward, search backwards and even do a sidestep to the side....but check to see if there is any evidence before assigning a person to a tree.  It is frustrating to say the elast.