Guide to Bandy Gallimaufry and The Bandy Family in Early America

by Dale Bandy

Bandy Gallimaufry (BG) by Jane Bandy Eubank and Samuel Burton Eubank and The Bandy Family in Early America (BFEA) by Dale Bandy are complimentary books that contain similar information. Many details, however, are available in only one of the books. This guide is intended to help you understand the differences between the two sources, and to understand the differences between the website versions available here and the printed versions. The version of BG available here is based on the fourth edition published in 1994 while BFEA is based on the second edition published in 1999.

Comparisons to Printed Versions

Both the printed and automated versions of BG have two parts. The text portion of the book contains the prose description of what the authors found and the reasoning behind their conclusions. The data portion of the book is the detailed genealogical information including dates, marriages, children, etc. The automated version of BG available here contains the text portion almost verbatim. The data portion is presented in two forms. One is a listing of four lines including Edmundi Bandy (through 1795 Richard), William Bandy and Dicie Green, John Bandy and Mary VanNyes, and Jesse Bandy (who married Charity). Second, a GEDCOM file contains the 1994 data with some updating. Listings for individuals born after 1910 have been deleted from the website version in order to preserve privacy.

Family Numbers and Gen-Nums are included in the printed version of BG to distinguish individuals and families who often have the same names. The automated GEDCOM file contains the Gen-Nums as REFN statements. Neither Gen-Nums nor Family Numbers are found in the four line lists. Both Family Numbers and Gen-Nums are found in the printed and automated versions of BFEA. The listing of a Family Number and a Gen-Num after an individual's name in BFEA indicates that information is also found in BG.

Although printed copies are no longer available, microfilm copies can be ordered through LDS (Mormon) libraries. Most local LDS churches have genealogy libraries, and will order a copy of the microfilm. I understand the microfilm cannot be purchased, but can be read in the local church library. There is a small fee for the service.

The website version of BGEA available here also is presented in both viewable and downloadable files. These files differs from the printed version because of technical problems associated with posting the web version. The name index is not operational. Some photographs have been deleted. Census listings from 1790 to 1870 have been omitted. Efforts are being made to overcome problems related to the Census listings. Printed copies of BFEA are available in the U. S. from the author at the cost of printing plus postage.

Comparison of BG to BFEA

As noted, the content of the two books is similar. The authors shared information while the fourth edition of BG was being written, and Dale Bandy relied heavily on BG while writing both the first and second editions of BFEA. Burt Eubank provided information and suggestions while BFEA was being written. The format used in BG emphasizes the abundant genealogical information it contains while BFEA is narrative in form. BG does a superior job of identifying the source of individual facts included in the book. BG also contains more information relating to descendants of 1795 Richard, especially those born in the late 1800's.. Much of the information in BFEA relating to that line was extracted from BG.

BG includes details relating to the possible ancestry of 1795 Richard dating back to the 1500's in England. BG notes that there is "no proof and little circumstantial evidence" supporting the reported relationship. BFEA includes details suggesting a possible relationship between the Banning family of Talbot County, Maryland and subsequent Bandy generations. There is no proof and little circumstantial evidence supporting this possible relationship either.

BG includes an exceptionally fine analysis of tax records, real estate transactions, wills and other documents dating from the mid 1700's to early 1800's in central Virginia. Those records enable us to conclude with some confidence the names of several of 1795 Richard's children, that there were two Georges and two Thomases, and to follow the family for decades. The second George and Thomas likely are Avy's sons.

One significant difference between BG and BFEA is that BG assumes that the family group found in the western Virginia town of Bandy is descended from 1795 Richard's son John while BFEA assumes that they are descended from Avy's likely son Thomas. Frankly, neither theory have much support.

Both books also contain information relating to the George who moved to North Carolina. The foundation for that information is work started by John McDowell "Mac" Ballard and carried on by Allen Bandy who authored the History of the Bandy Clan published in 1980. The analysis in BG establishes that this George is not descended from Richard, but is probably Avy's son..

Both books speculate about the identity of a Solomon Bandy who served in the American Revolution in North Carolina, but neither reaches any definite conclusion.

BFEA discusses in some detail Robert, James, and John who are found in central North Carolina in the mid to late 1700's. BFEA contains a more detailed account of Jesse and Charity Bandy who lived in the Carolinas and Tennessee during the late 1700's and early 1800's. Also reported are descendants of David Bandy and Bryant Bandy who may well be Jesse's brothers or cousins. David, Bryant, Jesse, and George (who is assumed to be Avy's son) all made their way through Burke County, North Carolina during the late 1700's and early 1800's suggesting that they are related. William who married Dicie Green is listed separately in BG, but is shown as David and Mourning's son in BFEA. Much of this information was discovered after 1994 as a result of work done by several people who are cited in BFEA

Both books contain information relating to the Bandy family groups found in Georgia that include John and Lewis. This information is based on Robert Scott Davis, Jr.'s article in the April 1992 The American Genealogist. Some additional information is reported in BG and BFEA.

Both books contain details based on Carrie E. Allen's 1916 account of the VanNuys family. Daughter Mary married John Bandy and moved to Iowa. BFEA contains a few details uncovered after 1994.

BFEA includes numerous yarns about the American frontier, the West, military service, and court cases, most of which are not found in BG.