VACALEXA-L Archives

From: Dave Baker <>
Subject: Re: Oronoco and Columbus Streets
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 20:19:13 -0500

Erica,

Oronoco and Columbus Streets are in the town of Alexandria, Virginia.

Prior to 1801, the town of Alexandria and Alexandria County were legally part of
Fairfax County.

In 1789, the Virginia Legislature ceded these two areas to the federal
government. In 1801, Congress assumed jurisdiction over the newly formed ten mile
square federal territory, the District of Columbia. If one looks at a map of the
District of Columbia in the early 1800s, one will see that the territory limits
does indeed form a square or a diamond shape with points at north, south, east
and west. This federal territory included the town of Alexandria and Alexandria
County in Virginia; in Maryland, the city of Washington, Georgetown, and
Washington County. In 1846, the Virginia portions of the District of Columbia
retroceded to Va.

In 1920, the name of Alexandria County was changed to Arlington County.

Finding records may take some detective work. Yes, the family may have stayed put
but the geographical name changed. I have found, though, that people did not stay
down on the farm. One person may be born in Fairfax County, but is married in the
town of Alexandria, lives in DC, dies in DC but is buried in Alexandria County.

Anne

This thread:

• Oronoco and Columbus Streets by <>

  • Re: Oronoco and Columbus Streets by Dave Baker <>