Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

William D. Ligon Papers, Accession 3203, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

These papers were given to the University of Virginia Library on May 18, 1949 by William D. Ligon, Jr. of New York City, New York .

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

This collection consists of ca. 3,000 items, (13 Hollingers and 15 oversize bound volumes), ca. 9 linear shelf feet), ca. 1907-1949, chiefly the genealogical correspondence and research of William D. Ligon, Jr. concerning the Ligon family . The collection contains correspondence, newsclippings, photographs, post cards, photostats, forms, genealogical charts, book reviews, Christmas card albums, and printed material, much of it mounted in bound volumes and scrapbooks. Also present is the typescript and illustrations for the book The Ligon Family and Connections, the product of all of the research and genealogical inquiries conducted by Ligon through his correspondence.

Much of the information concerns the first and second Ligon reunions, in Richmond, Virginia , and Washington, D.C. respectively, William D. Ligon 's visit to England in 1938, and the Ligon kin in England , especially the Royal Family. A copy of the two volume published work can be found in the Rare Books Division (see CS 71. L724 1947). According to Ligon , the founder of the family in Virginia , was Colonel Thomas Ligon [Lygon] who came to Henrico County, Virginia , in 1641. Thomas Ligon married Mary Harris , daughter of Captain Thomas Harris , who arrived in Virginia in 1611 from Essex, England . Other related families include: Beauchamp , Berkeley , Corbin , Harris , and Savage .