This genealogy was written by Letta Brock Stone in 1928. It traces the West family to the fourteenth century, and tells of its origins as the De La Warr family, of whom the author writes: "Among the families of noble descent who were represented in this country in its early days, none was of more distinguished lineage than that of the De La Warrs." The De La Warr tree was traced from Alfred the Great "through thirteen generations, to Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, the son of Henry the Third. Henry Plantagenet, the son of the Earl of Lancaster, had a daughter, Joan, who married Lord Mowbray; and their son, John, Lord Mowbray, had a daughter, Eleanor, who married Roger La Warr."

The daughter of Roger LaWarr married Sir Thomas West, who was knighted in 1328, and served under Edward III, for which he was created a baron. His son, Thomas, who succeeded his father upon his death, had a son, Thomas, who was knighted in 1399. He married Joan, half-sister and heiress of Thomas 5th Baron De La Warr, and daughter of Roger 3d Baron De La Warr. From this point the two lines are merged into one, the West family, taking the title Baron De La Warr.

Thomas West, 3rd Lord De La Warr and first Governor of Virginia, was born July 9, 1577. He had several children who remained in England, but it is not unlikely that some of their descendants came to the Colonies at a later date. From 1608 to his death, Lord De La Warr was active in promoting settlements in the New World. Capt. Francis West was born October 28, 1586, and came to Virginia about 1608.

A reprinted version of this genealogy can be viewed at the NEHGS Research Library, call number RB/F16/G66/no. 5. NEHGS members may also borrow this book from the Circulating Library.

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