Charles Collie was born in 1756, the son of James Collie, an immigrant from Scotland to Virginia, and Ann Cornwell Collie. Charles' siblings were William, Mary and James. Charles married Mary and their children included Lydia, Phillip, William, Thomas, Banister, Anney, Joseph or Joel and Polly. A descendant, James II, married Nancy Jennings. Two of James and Nancy's daughters married Elizah and Samuel Richardson. Descendants settled in North Carolina, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

Tracing the Wallen lineage back to 17th century England, this chronicle—compiled after the author spent more than 15 years, traveled many miles, and visited numerous courthouses and cemeteries—presents the monumental lineage of Walden(s), Waldin, Walding, Waldon, Waldron, Walen, Wallen, Wallin, Walling(s), Walwin, and Walwyn, and more than 1,100 other surnames.

Some of the descendants of William Hearne, born about 1627 in London, and died in 1691 in Maryland are also listed. This is the author's maternal lineage.