The author's focus was on families with a strong connection to Virginia and Kentucky, most of which are traced forward from the 17th or 18th century. In conducting his research, he was extremely fortunate to have interviewed several of the oldest living members of many of the principal families, in addition to having access to published sources and original records. Following are the names of the Kentucky and Virginia pioneers who figure in Mr. Van Meter's account: Allan, Bigelow, Bruce, Campbell, Clay, Cunningham, Field, Garrard, Hall, Hamilton, Hanna, Harness, Harrison, Hockaday, Holloway, Hull, Johnson, Johnston, Kleiser, Lewis, McNeill, Moore, Moss, Nicholas, Payne, Pettit, Phillips, Prewitt, Rodes, Smith, Stonestreet, Swoope, Van Meter, West, Wetherill, Williams, Willis, Wright, and Yerkes.