FORWARD

From The Bizzell Family Book

This Bizzell family history was based principally on census and military service records in the National Archives, land grant records in State Libraries, county court records where Bizzells were known to have lived, information on questionnaires mailed in 1966 to 650 Bizzells listed in telephone directories on file at the U.S. Library of Congress and from personal discussions with many persons who bore the family name. Factual material cannot be guaranteed, but was obtained from sources believed to be reliable.

The National Census records in America start in 1790, and the first 60 years list only heads-of-house, with others noted numerically within age groups. However, it should be rememberd that "others" noted were not neccesarily members of the immediate family; they might have been boarders, farmhands, cousins, etc. Information in the census increased each decade and finally in 1850, names of all persons within the family were listed. Thus, interpretation of census records before 1850 is often uncertain. Also, census records before 1880 are not alphabetical and this made searching for names somewhat like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Almost all of the 1890 American census records were lost in a fire and this was a very great handicap to us. However, the 1900 census was made available to genealogists in early 1974 and this helped greatly in bridging the gap. Records after 1900 probably will not be available for many years.

Another difficulty encountered was wide use of nicknames, and these were frequently recorded by the census taker. A few were observed to fall into a pattern - such as Polly for a person named Mary. However, the nickname Nell for Ellen was a bit more difficult to decipher.

Another way used to mask the inability to spell was to use an initial. For example, E, the daughter of J, leaves much for guesswork. However, by extensive cross checking, we were able to decipher many initials. Also, use of the name William and John were so common until they were not much better than initials. Moreover, in a few cases we found that people had changed their given names. For example, David Marzarine Bizzell changed his Christian names to Marza Wilson.

At the first national census in 1790, we found record of one free black in America - Solomon Bizzell with 10 other free persons in the family in Hertford County, NC. The white Bizzells previously had been there and in adjoining Nansemond County, VA around 1750. We believe Solomon obtained his freedom and adopted the family name about that time. In addition, hundreds of blacks adopted the name after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Thus, we have made no effort to include black lineages in this history.

For the English lineages, Mr. John L. Bizzell of London gave us long and valuable assistance. Over a period of 12 years, he wrote hundreds of letters to English Bizzells in quest of information, ran advertisements in major newspapers, visited vicars in old parish houses to search early local church records, used special British sources to search for the Bizel-Bizzell name in South America and enticed disc-jockeys to plug our genealogy project on British radio. Offical records of births, marriages and deaths were started 1 Jul 1837 and these proved to be an excellent source of information. Extensive searches were made at

the Society of genealogists, 37 Harrington Gardens; the General Register Office at Somerset House and later at St. Catherine's House; the Public Records Office at Chancery Lane and the Huguenot Society of London. In addition, Mr. Frederick John Bizzell of Ripley, Surrey provided extensive information on the family which went to Trinidad, plus photographs of some early 19th century Bizzells in England.

In France, we were assisted by Monsieur Andre Chauson, General Director of the National Archives in Paris who caused a records search to be made on the Bizel name and sent the results to us. Dr. Harold G. Richter, an American scientist stationed at Grenoble, collaborated with the Mayor of Chambery, Capital City of Savoie Province, to obtain information on the life of Reverend Pierre Bizel. Francois and Marie Bizel of Les Rieux undertook research for us at Albiez le Viex and St. Jean de Maurienne, Pierre Bizel of Louhans compiled a genealogy of family members who lived in Algerie and Joseph Bizel of Nice gave us the benefit of research he had accomplished to determine his own lineage and derivation of the Bizel name.

In Australia, we had excellent assistance from Vivian and Mavis Bizzell of Waterford, Queensland. In addition, Emily Bizzell Aviss and her daughter Enid of Brisbane compiled much information for us. They made numerous telephone calls and personal visits leading to an absolutely complete record of Australian Bizzells up to 1975.

In South Africa, Eric Bizzell and his sister-in-law Phyllis, both of Durban, supplied information on their branch of the family. Roydon H. L. Bizzell was a retired British Naval Officer, transplanted to Port Elizabeth and his recollections of Bizzells he had encountered in various parts of the world was an invaluable aid.

In Canada, Alexander M. Bizzell of North Bay, Ontario was our main source of help with the few we found there.

In America, we express our sincere appreciation to the following for thier fine cooperation and helpfulness: Eleanor Bizzell Powell, Goldsboro, NC; Mrs. Beryl Bizzell, Mount Olive, NC; Eleanor Pearsall, Rocky Mount, NC; William S. Bizzell, Raleigh, NC; Betsy Bizzell Parmele, Lumberton, NC; Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Bizzell, Newton Grove, NC; Mrs. John P. Carroll, Raleigh, NC; Mrs. Mary McGraph, Savanna, GA; Florence Bizzell Wenz, DeLand, FL; Georgia Bizzell Palmer, Canton, MS; Mrs. John D. Craft, Memphis, TN; Frank D. Bizzell, Little Rock, AR; Mrs. Winnie Davis Bizzell Chase, Tulsa, OK; Mrs. Marie Dollarhide, Tulsa, OK; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Bizzell, Austin, TX; Mrs. Doca Mae Bizzell, Midland, TX; Colonel Lee Caraway Bizzell, Gloucester, VA; Hubert L. Bizzell, Kaysville, UT; John E. (Jack) Bizzell, Covina, CA; and John R. Bizzelle, Newport News, VA.

The Authors sincerely hope that others will be encouraged and inspired to add information to this history. Also, we will be pleased to receive any additions and corrections.

Oscar M. Bizzell
Virginia L. Bizzell
16501 Walnut Hill Rd.
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20760
July 1976