Stephen Hammond is a 7th generation member of the Syphax family of Washington, DC. He has documented his ancestors’ connections to several historically significant sites, including Mount Vernon, Arlington House, Abingdon, Decatur House, and Freedmen’s Village. Mr. Hammond, a geologist, has retired from a productive 40-year career with the United States Geological Survey where he is now an Emeritus Scientist. Upon retirement, Steve traded his full-time geology work for genealogy and family history research.