Combs &c. Counties of Orange Co, NC

Updated Mar 1999
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Orange County was organized from Bladen, Granville & Johnston Cos NC in 1752. Descendant counties include Guilford.

Except where otherwise noted, source for Orange Co, NC marriage bonds is Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2, Orange Co, NCGenWeb - See also Copyright restrictions)

1755 "North Carolina Orange
To Wit A List of Tythables for the Year 1755"

(See 1755 Tax List, Orange Co, NCGenWeb Archives - See Copyright Restrictions)

Combs, William 1 white tithable; 0 black tithables

Notes: William Combs ancestry is unknown. The above is the earliest record found for him thus far. He married Ann CHURTON, d/o William, and appears to have been the ancestor of most early Combs of Orange Co NC. (See Below) William CHURTON, an agent of Granville, is not found on this list; however, Paul Sarrat includes both William CHURTON and William CHURTEN on another 1755 Orange Co, NC listing of taxables (possibly multiple lists?) that also includes years 1772 and 1779, and a William Combs is listed in 1779, but no other CHURTONS.

9 Dec 1755 Orange Co, NC Land Records. Earl Of Granville to William Combs 385 acres...Wit. Wm CHURTON (Extracted from "Register of Deeds, Orange County, NC 1752-1768, and 1793, by Hogan Researcher Lou Overton)

13 Feb 1756 Granville to William Combs of Orange, planter, ten shillings, 385 acres, on the west side of Flatt River, begin at a white oak in Thomas GIBSON'S line, S 27 ch to a red oak in Joseph COLLINS' line, W 41 1/2 ch. to a hickory Joseph COLLINS' corner, S 15 ch to a red oak in John WADE'S line, W 45 ch. to a white oak along WADES' line, N 60 ch to a hickory, E 46 1/2 ch to a white oak in Thomas GIBSON'S line S 18 ch to a hickory his corner E 40 ch to the first station; signed GRANVILLE by Francis CORBIN wit. W. CHURTON, Richard VIGERS; proved by CHURTON June Term 1756.

[Ed. note; see NC Patent Book 14: 246 and SS, LG 94-C] (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, VOL. 11, DEED BOOKS 1 & 2 ABSTRACTS, by William D. Bennett, p. 199, by Hogan Researcher Louise Overton)

15 March 1756 Granville 144. William NUNN, planter, ten shillings, on fork of Great Creek, begin at a poplar & red oak John WOODS cor. cross creek S63W 7 ch. to a white oak, S 30 ch. to a black oak, W 35 ch to a hickory, N 23 ch. to a hickory, W 10 ch to a red oak, N 35 ch to a hickory, E 60 ch. to a white oak in John WOODS line, his line S 41 ch. to first station, 402 acres, sixteen shillings one pence rent per year, surveyed for THOS. NELSON 8 June 1753, Martin LOVINGSTON & Wm. Combs, SCC, entered 23 Nov 1751 (SSLG 97-C) signed Wm NUNN. Wit. James TAYLOR, CHURTIN.

[Ed note; see also NC Patent Book 12:12] (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, VOL V GRANVILLE PROPRIETARY LAND OFFICE DEEDS & Surveys, 1752-1760 by William B. Bennett, by Hogan Researcher Louise Overton who adds that this land is in present day Orange County, near the Caswell and Alamance County lines) SW: LIVINGSTON

12 Nov 1756 Granville Deed 180. William Combs, planter, ten shillings, on both sides of Little Cr. joining Robert LITTLE'S line & William NUNN'S begin at a white oak on LITTLE'S line, N along his line 26 ch. to a hickory, his corner. along his line E 5 ch to a white oak & red oak, N 40 ch to a black jack oak W 20 ch to a red oak, S 30 ch to William NUNN'S line, along his line E 55 ch to first station, 348 acres, thirteen shillings eleven pence per year, surveyed 7 Dec 1754, Edward NOWLAND & Martin LOVINGSTON, SCC, entered 16 May 1752. (SSLG 87-1) Wit Jas WATSON & WM NUNN. s/William Combs (Orange Co, NC Records, Vol. V. Granville Proprietary Land Office Deeds & Surveys, 1752-1760, William B. Bennett)

8 March 1757 Orange Co, NC Land Records. Earl Of Granville to William COMB 348 acres ...Wit. Wm CHURTON (Extracted from "Register of Deeds, Orange County, NC 1752-1768, and 1793, by Hogan Researcher Lou Overton)

April 1757 (Orange Co NC Order Book, 1752-1751 [216]) April 1757 Ordered that William COMB be appointed Overseer of the Road in the place of William NUNN. (ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA COURT MINUTES, 1752-1761, Book 1 by Weynette Parks Haun)

22 Feb 1759 Granville Deed 268. William Combs, planter, ten shillings, on Mountain Creek waters of Flatt River begin at CHURTON'S corner white oak, along his line E 15 ch. to a white oak, S cross the creek 42 ch, to a white oak, W 87 ch to a hicory, N 54 1/2 ch to a hicory, E cross the sd. creek 21 ch to CHURTON'S line at a stake, along his line to first station, 181 acres, seven shillings three pence rent per year, surveyed 28 Sept 1758, James HORTON & Joseph PARKER, SCC. (SSLG 87-1) signed William COMB. wit. Jas WATSON, Micajah PICKETT (Extracted from Orange Co, NC Records, Vol. V. Granville Proprietary Land Office Deeds & Surveys, 1752-1760, William B. Bennett by Hogan Researcher Louise Overton who adds that this land is in present-day Durham County near the Person County line)

Note: James WATSON as witness and see also 1791 and 1813 Orange records.

13 March 1759 Orange Co, NC Land Records. William COMB to Joseph MADDOCK 50 acres...Wit. William REED (Extracted from "Register of Deeds, Orange County, NC 1752-1768, and 1793, by Hogan Researcher Lou Overton)

Sept 1759 (Orange Co NC Order Book, 1752-1751 [401]-201) Sept 1759 On motion of William Combs tis Ordered that his mark be recorded towit: Slitt in each ear and a half penny in the near one Likewise his Brand W on the near shoulder and COM on the Buttock and a half penny out of the near ear. (ibid.)

Sept 1759 (Orange Co NC Order Book, 1752-1751 [402]) Sept 1759 Ordered that William BROWN a bastard Child of (blank) be bound out to William COMB for the term of five years and nine months and that he be learned to Read and Write. (ibid.)

Notes: Seeking to learn more re descendants of William BROWN due to BROWNS & Combs in King George & Westmoreland VA; and East TN and East KY.

6 Sept 1769. Thomas HART of Orange to John RICHARDS of same, one hundred pounds, 2 acres, 2 lots in Hillsboro, # 113 and #119, bounded by lots #117, #109, #110, and #120 and fronting on King Street; signed; Thos HART; wit. ABS. BENDELL, William COMB, Jesse DAVIS; acknowledged Jan Term 1770. (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, VOL. 11, DEED BOOKS 1 & 2 ABSTRACTS, by William D. Bennett, p. 595, by Hogan Researcher Louise Overton)

29 Nov 1769-Jul 1770 Orange Co, NC DB3:294. Thomas HART & Susannah of Orange to Robert WELLS of same, eighty pounds, 263 acres, on North Fork of Country Line Cr., begin at JONES' lower cor. of his upper tract, N 45 ch. to a BO, E 39 ch. to a hicory, S crossing his line N crossing creek to first station, Granville to Thomas HART recorded Book E. page 272; signed: Thos HART, Susannah HART ; wit. Jos McCARROL, Wm COMB; acknowledged July Term 1770. (present day Caswell County) (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, Vol 111 Deed Book 3 Abstracts by William D. Bennett)

11 Nov 1760 Orange Co, NC Land Records. Earl Of Granville to William Combs 181 acres.....Wit. Wm CHURTON

11 Nov 1760 Orange Co, NC Land Records. William COMB to Michael PICKET 181 acres Wit. Wm CHURTON (Extracted from "Register of Deeds, Orange County, NC 1752-1768, and 1793, by Hogan Researcher Lou Overton)

8 Nov 1763 Orange Co, NC Land Records. Henry Eustice MCCULLOCH to John COMB 280 acres. Wit. Robert RAINEY (Extracted from "Register of Deeds, Orange County, NC 1752-1768, and 1793, by Hogan Researcher Lou Overton)

14 Feb 1764 Orange Co, NC Land Records. William COMB to William NUNN 200 acres Wit. John HOGAN (Extracted from "Register of Deeds, Orange County, NC 1752-1768, and 1793, by Hogan Researcher Lou Overton)

12 Apr 1765 (Rowan County NC Deed Book 7. pages 90 & 91) "On the 12th April 1765, John HOWARD, innholder. sold William Todd LIVINGSTON of Orange County. N.C. 313 acres of land on the north bank of the Yadkin River below Mill Creek and Mullberry Fields bought of Morgen BRYAN, Junr. and John BRYAN: "adjoining Morgan BRYANT above Francis RENELD'S Improvement ." (Rowan County Deed Book 6, pages 265 & 266). In 1769, John HOWARD, innholder, sold Francis REYNOLDS 40 acres of land on both sides Yadkin River below Mulberry Creek adjoining said REYNOLDS'S Land ." Pioneers of Wilkes County, Mrs. W. O. Absher, p. 89) SW: REYOLDS

Notes: William Todd LIVINGSTON'S above land in Rowan became part of Surry, then Wilkes Co NC, and was located close to the lands of Edmond DENNEY whose (dau?) Ann, m RW Soldier George Combs of Wilkes Co NC. LIVINGSTON later left Wilkes Co NC for Washington Co VA where he was granted land on Moccassin Creek of the Holston River - where Combs also patented land (later in Russell, then Scott Cos, VA).

10 Feb 1767 Orange Co, NC Land Records. William NUNN to William COMB 348 acres Wit. John HOGAN (Extracted from "Register of Deeds, Orange County, NC 1752-1768, and 1793, by Hogan Researcher Lou Overton)

05 Jan 1768 - 29 Mar 1769 (Orange Co NC DB3:507) 29 March 1769, William Combs and Ann his wife of Orange to Edmund FANNING of Hillsborough, two hundred and fifteen pounds, "land devise/d to William COMB by Last Will and Testement of William CHURTON Esq Deceased in the words following (to wit) Secondly I give, devise, & bequeath unto William Combs the other moiety of the east end of the aforesd. land that is over the Eno, dated 5 January 1768; signed: William COMB, Ann (x) COMB; witness: Binam SOUTHERLAND, Enock BRADLEY; acknowledged & dower relinquished 29 March 1769. (ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, Vol 111 Deed Book 3 Abstracts by William D. Bennett)

Notes: Seeking the will and migrations of William CHURTON

26 Jan 1768 Orange Co, NC. William COMB to Enoch BRADLEY 60 acres Wit. William COMB (Extracted from "Register of Deeds, Orange County, NC 1752-1768, and 1793, by Hogan Researcher Lou Overton who adds that no description was given)

09 Nov 1768 (Halifax VA DB7:378) 9 Nov 1768. Isaac JOHNSTON & Susanna, his wife of Orange Co, NC to Peter ROGERS of Halifax Co for L110 268 acres on Colemans Cr., beg at a red oak thence south ... pointers. All appurtencances. Signed: Isaac JOHNSON. Wits: John (J) WARREN, William WARREN, John ROGERS. Rec 15 June 1769. (Halifax VA DB7, 1767-1770, abstr & compiled, Chiarito)

Notes: See Halifax Co VA for add'l re Combs-JOHNSONS of that county, and later East TN

15 July 1769 Joseph MADDOCK of Orange, planter, to James THOMPSON, Samuel CHAMBERS, Francis WILKINSON and Daniel CLOUD of same, planters, five shillings, five acres, payment made by grantees in behalf of themselves and the members of Eno Meeting belonging to the peoples (blank) Quakers, rent of four pence to be paid annually to William COMB on 25 March, property to be used only for use of members, begin at a hickory, W 33 perches to a black oak, S 33 perches along John CARSON'S line to a small black oak grub, E 15 perches to the Great Road, along the Great Road 40 perches to first station, whereon the meeting house and other buildings now stand, part of tract from Granville to William COMB 12 Nov 1756, COMB to MADDOCK & others 10 June 1759 recorded in Book E page 42 (blank); signed Joseph MADDOCK; wit. Thos HART, Jas. WATSON; proved by WATSON July Term 1769. (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, VOL. 11, DEED BOOKS 1 & 2 ABSTRACTS, by William D. Bennett, p. 565, by Hogan Researcher Louise Overton who adds that this land is the old Eno Church Cemetery (recently restored by Girl Scouts), and is located off of Highway #86 in community of Cedar Grove, Orange County, just north of Hillsboro).

6 Sept 1769-Jan 1770 Thomas HART of Orange to John RICHARDS of same, one hundred pounds, 2 acres, 2 lots in Hillsboro, # 113 and #119, bounded by lots #117, #109, #110, and #120 and fronting on King Street; signed; Thos HART; wit. ABS. BENDELL, William COMB, Jesse DAVIS; acknowledged Jan Term 1770. (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, VOL. 11, DEED BOOKS 1 & 2 ABSTRACTS, by William D. Bennett, p. 595, by Hogan Researcher Louise Overton)

17 Jun 1772 Orange Co, NC Deed Book 3. James ANGIEN to Shadrach HARGIS, 140 a. on br. of Flatt River. Wits: William Combs and Jas WATSON (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, Vol 111 Deed Book 3 Abstracts by William D. Bennett)

28 Feb 1780 Orange Co, NC Deeds. John MITCHELL of Hillsborough District, Orange County, to John MITCHELL of same, for love good will and affection which I have and do bear to my son, 213 acres, the plantation where Adam DICKSON now lives, no metes and bounds given; signed: John (X) MITCHELL: wit. Wm WHITTED, William COMB; proved by COMB 1780. (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, VOL. 11, DEED BOOKS 1 & 2, ABSTRACTS, by William D. Bennett, p. 107, by Hogan Researcher Louise Overton who adds that no term of court was given)

13 March 1780 North Carolina to William Combs, fifty shillings per hundred acres, 125 acres, on Combs Creek, begin at a hickory, E 101 ch. to a black oak, N 80 ch. to a black oak, W 45 ch. to a black oak, N 10 ch to a post oak, W 45 ch to a post oak, S 12 ch to a white oak, W 11 ch to a post oak S 6 ch to first station; signed Richard CASWELL; wit. Wm SHEPPARD; no probate record. [Ed. note; see also NC Patent Book 32;469] (Extracted from ORANGE COUNTY RECORDS, VOL. 11, DEED BOOKS 1 & 2 ABSTRACTS, by William D. Bennett, p. 304, by Hogan Researcher Louise Overton)

Notes: John MITCHELL the younger may have been same who m Elizabeth "Betty" Combs, d/o William (See 1791 below)

10 Feb. 1783 Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2. TRICE, Joseph & Milley COMB, no bondsman.

Notes: Millie may have been same as Ellender, d/o William and Ann CHURTON Combs? (See 1791 below).

02 Jan 1790 - Feb 1790 (Orange Co WB B-87) Bill of Sale from George DOHERTY to James HOGG, Esq., both of Orange Co., NC. Dated 2 Jan 1790, recorded Feb 1790. (James HOGG is guardian of Polly BURKE.) Witnesses: Theophilus THOMPSON, Wm. COMB, Walter ALVES. ("Abstract of Will In Orange Co., NC 1752-1800" by Ruth Herndon Shields, p. 74)

Notes: Walter ALVES and James HOGG were both share holders in Richard HENDERSON'S Transylvania Company. (Early TN Tax Lists, Polly Creekmore, SHP, Easley, SC) Could ALVES have been a.k.a. ALVIES/ALVEY? (See William ALVIES of King William Co VA, Alvey-Archdales of St. Mary's Co MD and under Archdale-Combs Families

1 Nov 1790-Feb 1791 Orange Co NC DB 4-408. John NICHOLS of Orange & Sara his wife to John TAYLOR of same, £100, 428a on Combs Creek, begin at a BJ, N 7 ....to first station, bounded by Combs, GEDDIS, & MOORE; signed: John NICHOLS, Sarah NICHOLS; wit. Robert DUNCAN, Robert FERGUSON; ack. Feb. 1791 term. (p.71)

2 Nov 1790 Orange Co, NC DB 4-419. John TAYLOR of Caswell to John NICHOLS of Orange, £50, 428a on Combs Creek begin at a BJ, .... to first station, John NICHOLS & wife Sarah to TAYLOR, void on condition John TAYLOR pays note given to NICHOLS 1 Nov. 1790 payable 1 Nov. 1795 for £50; signed: John (X) TAYLOR; wit. Robert FERGUSON, Robert DUNCAN; proved Feb. 1791 term by FERGUSON. (p.73) (Provided by Researcher White81429@aol.com to Combs Researcher C. Hammett)

25 Aug. 1791 Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2. Combs, Aron & Betsy JUSTICE John JOHNSTON, Bondsman (Orange Co, NCGenWeb)

25 Aug. 1791 Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2. COMB, John & Eliza WATSON John JOHNSTON, Bondsman (Orange Co, NCGenWeb)

Notes: See also (1) 1814 marriage of William Francis (HODGE) Combs, step-son of Aaron Combs, and 1829 will of John JUSTUS, naming son-in-law Aaron Combs, both in Jackson Co GA; and (2) 1813 Orange Will of James WATSON. John COMB appears to have been s/o William and Ann CHURTON Combs, but no Aaron named in William's will. John JOHNSTON not yet identified.

02 Aug 1791 - Aug Term 1791 (Orange NC Will Book B-141) Notation: Will in State Archives. Dated 2 August 1791, proved August 1791. Will of William COMB. Names wife, Ann; sons James (under 21) and John; daus: Mary COMB, Nancy COMB, Betty MITCHELL, Ellender TRICE; Grandau: Sarah MILLER. Executors: wife Ann, sons James and John, daus Mary and Nancy Combs. Witnesses: John TURRENTINE, Caleb HARVEY. ("Abstract of Will In Orange Co., NC 1752-1800" by Ruth Herndon Shields, p. 81)

Notes: It appears that Milley Combs who m Joseph TRICE in 1783 was the same as Ellender above(?). No marriage record has been found for Betty MITCHELL, but she may have married John MITCHELL as per the following:

30 Nov 1791 (Orange Co WB B-130) Bill of sale from John MITCHELL to James COMB of Orange Co., NC, for 4 negroes. Dated 30 Nov 1791, proved May 1791 (dates that way in book). Witnesses: John McKERRALL, Mary COMB ("Abstract of Will In Orange Co., NC 1752-1800" by Ruth Herndon Shields, p. 80)

Also note: Son, John Combs, apparently in his majority, is not found in the tax records of this county. Where was he? See also granddaughter, Sarah MILLER, identified in 1813 below as "natural child" of Polly Combs. Was Sarah MILLER already married at time of her father's death? Or given surname of her natural father? (Highly unusual at that time, perhaps even illegal) Among the John MITCHELL marriage bonds in Orange Book 2 was one to an Elizabeth MEBANE on 5 Apr 18152 [sic], Thos. ARMSTRONG. Only if the date was a typo for 1812, and Betty a widow, would it fit (no pre-1812 MEBANE marriage to an Elizabeth, etc. found.

7 June 1792 Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2. BARLOW, John Betsey NICHOLS James COMB, Bondsman (Orange Co, NCGenWeb)

5 Feb. 1800 Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2. WATSON Andrew & Nancy COMB. Jos. Watson, bondsman.

Notes: Possibly d/o William and Ann CHURTON Combs. See also 1813 Will of James WATSON, Sr. naming also his daughter, Elizabeth, who had m John Combs.

12 Sep 1804 Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2. JORDEN, David & Salley PAYNE 12 Sept. 1804 Aron Combs, bondsman

16 Sept 1811 (Orange ND DB14:21) James COMB & Daniel CLOUD Senr., both of Orange, $300, 428 acres on waters of Combs Creek, begin at black jack, N 7ch to a post oak, W 5 ch to a black jack, N 69 ch to a black jack, E 24 ch to a post oak, N 9 ch to a post oak, E 25 ch to a black oak, S 86 ch toa black oak, W 42 ch 50lk. to first station, John TAYLOR mortgaged to John NICHOLS 2 Nov 1790, NICHOLS to Combs 6 Dec 1796, signed James COMB. Witn: A. B. BRUCE & Jno. McKERALL, proved Nov term 1811 by Abner B. BRUCE, delv. Joel CLOUD ("Orange County (NC) Records, Vol XVIII, Deed Book 14" edited by William D. Bennett)

2 Nov. 1811 Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2. COMB, James & Elizabeth BARTON Asyl BARTON, Bondsman (Orange Co, NCGenWeb)

??????- Feb 1812 (Orange Co, NC WB D-327) Will of Daniel CLOUD Wife: Nancy. Sons: Joel, "to Daniel and David the tract of land on New Hope and mill I bought of John MITCHEL," John. Daughters: Martha and Margaret. Executor: None named Witnesses: William PALMER, John COMB, Jesse______? ("Abstracts of Wills Recorded in Orange Co., NC 1800-1850" by Ruth Herndon Shields, p. 48)

May 1813 (Orange Co NC DB14:417) Robert EATON of Hillsborough [Orange Co] to Sally MILLER natural daughter of Polly Combs of Orange, $65, 2 acres, Lots # 110 & 111 in Hillsborough, adjoin each other, bounded on W by Lot # 109, on S by Lot # 119 & 124, on E by Lot #12 where George CLANCY now lives, on N by Tryon Street. signed R. EATON. Witn: Jno BRUCE & Rankin McKEE. Acknowledged May term 1813 ("Orange County (NC) Records, Vol XVIII, Deed Book 14" edited by William D. Bennett)

Notes: See 1791 Orange NC will of William Combs, names granddaughter, Sarah MILLER, apparently the d/o Mary Combs? No Robert EATON marriages found.

14 July 1813-August 1813 Orange Co, NC Will Book D-381. Will of James (X) WATSON, Sr. Names Wife: Margaret. Sister-in-law: Elleanor WITTED(?) "My eight children" Sons: James WATSON, John WATSON, Robert WATSON, Andrew WATSON. Daughters: Helen RILEY, Rebecca WATSON, Elizabeth COMB, Nancy WATSON. Grandchildren: "Three children of Helen RILEY -viz- Washington RILEY, Elizabeth RILEY, and Rachel RILEY." Executors: Wife Margeret, and son-in-law John Combs. Witnessed: Abner BAILIFF, John DOCKERY ("Abstracts of Wills Recorded in Orange Co., NC 1800-1850" by Ruth Herndon Shields, p. 56)

Notes: John Combs m 1791 Elizabeth WATSON. Nancy Combs m 1800 Andrew WATSON (the same?) Were she and John Combs same as children of William and Ann CHURTON Combs named in his will? Ellender (a.k.a. Helen, Ellen?) WATSON m Elleanor WITTED may have been same as Ellinor CONNOR who m 9 Feb 1787, Orange, Joshua WITTIE, James RUSSELL, Bondsman. The only James WATSON marriage in Book 2 to a Margaret was an 11 Apr 1810 marriage to Margaret FAUCETT, bondsman Mark WATSON. Since Margaret's 1829 Orange will names Helen RILEY as a daughter, this might have been marriage of son, James.

14 Jan 1829-Nov 1831 (Orange Co, NC Will Book E-263) Dated 14 Jan 1829, proved Nov Court 1831. Will of Margeret WATSON. Daughters: Helen RILEY, Rebecca WATSON, Elizabeth COMB, Nancy MCCAMEL? (or MCCARROL?), Son: James, Andrew, John and his daughter Margaret WATSON, Robert. Witness: Jams R. WATSON, Farmer SMITH ("Abstracts of Wills Recorded in Orange Co., NC 1800-1850" by Ruth Herndon Shields, p. 145)

1 Feb. 1831 Orange Co, NC Marriage Bonds, Book 2. Combs, David & Martha PRICE James LONG, Bondsman (Orange Co, NCGenWeb)

Note: A marriage CD lists David as David W. Combs.

Important: All Records collected for this county may not have been added here as yet. See also the Combs Research List Archives