Tidewater, Virginia and Northeastern, North Carolina regions are generally flat and low flooded river plains composed of tidal marsh and large expanses of swamp. Much of the area is covered with pocosin (naturally-occurring freshwater evergreen shrub wetlands of the southeastern coastal plains with deep, acidic, sandy, peat soils). The higher areas are used for agricultural farmlands. Geographically, in Northeastern North Carolina and Virginia, the Tidewater area is the land from Suffolk to Caroline County to Middlesex County to the Atlantic Ocean. In Maryland the Tidewater area is the flooded river areas below the Fall Line (the boundary between freshwater and saltwater in Virginia's rivers). The Hampton Roads area of Virginia is considered to be a Tidewater region. Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, and parts of Delaware round out the northern part of the region on the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. Northeastern North Carolina Counties and Tidewater areas are Gates, Hertford, Currituck, Camden, Chowan, Bertie, and Perquiman.

Cities – Communities

Norfolk Virginia

Tidewater Virginia is home to numerous cities, towns, and communities. The region includes communities along the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, the seven cities of Hampton Roads, and other areas.

Northern Neck

The Northern Neck is the northernmost part of three western shore peninsulas. Bounded by the Potomac River on the north and the Rappahannock River on the south, the Northern Neck is one of Tidewater Virginia’s quietest areas.

Middle Peninsula

The Middle Peninsula includes the communities of Gloucester, Tappahannock, Deltaville, and Urbanna.

Lower (Virginia) Peninsula

Several communities are located on the Lower Peninsula, including Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Poquoson, Newport News, and Hampton.

Hampton Roads

The Hampton Roads region of Virginia includes Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Chesapeake, Hampton, Virginia Beach, and Suffolk.

Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore of Virginia is home to numerous small, historic towns and villages. Among the best known are Chincoteague Island, Onancock, Wachapreague, Nassawadox, and Cape Charles.

Tidewater Virginia Counties

TIDEWATER VIRGINIA FAMILIES are concerned with the area of Virginia north of the James River and east of the Fall Line, represented by the following counties: Caroline, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Essex, Gloucester, Hanover, Henrico, James City, King George, King & Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex.

Tidewater Virginia -Northeastern North Carolina Connectors

TIDEWATER VIRGINIA and Northeastern North Carolina Connector Families are concerned with the areas of Southern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina Counties where families moved back and forth between these areas since colonial times to the present day. North of the Perquimans River a coastal waterway in Northeastern North Carolina drains directly into the Albemarle Sound  to Franklin, Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach, Virginia. The following counties are represented: Gates, Hertford, Currituck, Camden, Chowan, Bertie, and Perquiman.