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Hardy County, West Virginia Genealogy

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Guide to Hardy County, West Virginia ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

County Facts
County seat: Moorefield
Organized: October 17, 1785
Parent County(s): Hampshire[1]
Neighboring Counties
Frederick (VA) • Grant • Hampshire • Mineral • Pendleton • Rockingham (VA) • Shenandoah (VA)
See County Maps
Courthouse
Hardy County, West Virginia Courthouse.JPG
Location Map
Wv-hardy.png

County Information

Description

Hardy County was named for Samuel Hardy. The county is located in the northeastern area of the state.[2]

County Courthouse

Hardy County Courthouse
204 Washington Street
Moorefield, WV 26836
Phone: 304-538-2929
Hardy County Website

County Clerk has birth, marriage, death and burials from 1853, probate and land records from 1786, court records from 1860 and divorce records.[3]

Hardy County, West Virginia Record Dates

Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.

Known Beginning Dates for Government County Records[4]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1853 1853 1853 1786 1786 1786 1870
*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1917. General compliance by 1925.

Record Loss

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

  • Lost censuses: 1790, 1800, 1810

Boundary Changes

Populated Places

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]

Towns
Unincorporated communities


History Timeline

Resources

Bible Records

Biographies

Business, Commerce, and Occupations

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Hardy County, West Virginia online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)
List of Cemeteries in the County
See West Virginia Cemeteries for more information

Census Records

For tips on accessing Hardy census records online, see: West Virginia Census.

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1790 7,336 —
1800 6,627 −9.7%
1810 5,525 −16.6%
1820 5,700 3.2%
1830 6,798 19.3%
1840 7,622 12.1%
1850 9,543 25.2%
1860 9,864 3.4%
1870 5,518 −44.1%
1880 6,794 23.1%
1890 7,567 11.4%
1900 8,449 11.7%
1910 9,163 8.5%
1920 9,601 4.8%
1930 9,816 2.2%
1940 10,813 10.2%
1950 10,032 −7.2%
1960 9,308 −7.2%
1970 8,855 −4.9%
1980 10,030 13.3%
1990 10,977 9.4%
2000 12,669 15.4%
2010 14,025 10.7%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".
  • 1790 - Lost, but a substitute is available, see Taxation.
  • 1800 - Lost, but a substitute is available, see Taxation.
  • 1810 - Lost, but a substitute is available, see Taxation.

Church Records

Baptist
Early Baptist churches (with years constituted):

  1. Lunie's Creek (1777)[7]


List of Churches and Church Parishes

Court Records

Directories

Emigration and Immigration

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

African Americans

Funeral Homes

Genealogies

It is anticipated that this bibliography will eventually identify all known family histories published about residents of this county. Use this list to:

  • Locate publications about direct ancestors
  • Find the most updated accounts of an ancestor's family
  • Identify publications about an ancestor's "FAN Club" (Friends, Associates, and Neighbors)



  • Coberly - Arthaud, John Bradley. "Dr. James Stell Coberly 18th Century Migrant from New Jersey to Virginia and Revolutionary Patriot," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 26, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1982):112-117; Vol. 26, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1982):183-189. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FS Library Book 975.5 B2vg v. 26 (1982).
  • Coberly - Arthaud, John Bradley. "George Coberly (1788-1855) Virginia Migrant to the Midwest," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 28, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1984):217-221; Vol. 28, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1984):256-260. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FS Library Book 975.5 B2vg v. 28 (1984).
  • Coberly - Arthaud, John Bradley. "The Ancestry of Mary (Poffenberger) (Coberly) Power (1752-27 Oct. 1840)," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 35, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1991):39-42. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FS Library Book 975.5 B2vg v. 35 (1991).
  • Coberly - Arthaud, John Bradley and Marian (Kortum) Coberly. "The Ancestry of Mary C. Coberly (1820-1875)," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 43, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1999):293-296. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FS Library Book 975.5 B2vg.
  • Cunningham - Harter, Mary. "James Cunningham of Western Virginia," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 29, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1985):9-16. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FS Library Book 975.5 B2vg v. 29 (1985).
  • Franklin - Mathys, Mary Sue and Dorsey W. Franklin. "A Mystery Story: The Case of the Origins of John Franklin Sr. (1729-1819) of Burke County, North Carolina," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 32, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1988):243-252; Vol. 33, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1989):27-33. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FS Library Book 975.5 B2vg v. 32 (1988)-v. 33 (1989).
  • Homan - Arthaud, John Bradley. "The Ancestry of Mary (Poffenberger) (Coberly) Power (1752-27 Oct. 1840)," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 35, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1991):39-42. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FS Library Book 975.5 B2vg v. 35 (1991).
  • Mathias - Griffiths, George R. The Mathias Family of Hardy County, Virginia and West Virginia, A Pioneer Mountain Family. Chicago, Ill.: Adams Press, 1977. FS Library Book 929.273 M426g.
  • Newman - Boogher, William F. Gleanings of Virginia History: An Historical and Genealogical Collection, Largely from Original Sources. Washington: n.p., 1903. Available at FS Library; digital version at online at Internet Archive. Includes a chapter titled "Genealogy of the Newman Family, 1618-1900," see Table of Contents; discusses Newmans of Hardy County.
  • Post - Poinsett, Doris Jean Post. Valentin Pfost/Post, 1740-1800, of Hardy County (West) Virginia and Some of His Descendants. Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, 1989. Digital version at Family History Archives; FS Library Book 929.273 P845p.
  • Renick - Renick, E.I. "The Renick Family of Virginia," Publications of the Southern History Association, Vol. 3, No. 3 (Jul. 1899): 221-227. Digitized by Internet Archive - free.
  • Rohrbough - Rohrbough, Fred Ware. The Rohrbough Family. 1962.
  • Strother - Owen, Thomas McAdory, "William Strother of Virginia and His Descendants," Publications of the Southern History Association, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Apr. 1898):149-173. Digitized by Internet Archive.
  • Trader - Dorman, John Frederick. Adventurers of Purse and Person Virginia 1607-1624/5. 3 vols. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2005. See Volume 2. FS Library Book 975.5 H2j v. 2.

Guardianship

Land and Property Records

Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.

See West Virginia Land and Property for additional information about early West Virginia land grants. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.

Online Land Indexes and Records

Local Histories

Local histories are available for Hardy County, West Virginia Genealogy. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories see the wiki page section West Virginia Local Histories.

Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia (Illustrated) from Its Formation in 1738 to 1908, Compiled Mainly from Original Records of Old Frederick County, Now Hampshire, Berkeley, Shenandoah, Jefferson, Hardy, Clarke, Warren, Morgan and Frederick. By T. K. Cartmell. n.p.: n.p., c1909. Available at FS Library US/CAN Book 975.59 H2c 1963; FS Library US/CAN Film 1000634 Item 1. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($).

Maps and Gazetteers

Pendleton CountyGrant CountyMineral CountyHampshire CountyFrederick CountyShenandoah CountyRockingham CountyWV HARDY.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Migration

Military Records

Revolutionary War

  • A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841. Online at FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). 1967 reprint: FS Catalog Collection 973 X2pc 1840. See Virginia, Western District, Hardy County on page 134.

War of 1812

Hardy County men served in the 14th Regiment.[8]

Civil War

Regiments. Service men in Hardy served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Hardy County:

- 7th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Ashby's) (Confederate). Company F (Hampshire Riflemen aka New Creek Riflemen).[9]
- 11th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry. Company B (The Hardy Rangers).[10]
- 18th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Companies B, E, and H.[11]
- 25th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Heck's) (Confederate). Company H (Hardy Blues) and Company K (South Branch Riflemen).[12]
- 62nd Regiment, Virginia Mounted Infantry (Confederate). Company B (Hardy Blues).[13]

Records and histories are available, including:

Civil War Battle
The following Civil War battle was fought in Hardy County.[14]

  • August 7, 1864 - Moorefield, also known as Oldfields.

World War II

Naturalization and Citizenship

Newspapers

Obituaries

Other Records

Periodicals

Probate Records

Online Probate Indexes and Records

School Records

Social Security Records

Tax Records

How can Virginia tax lists help me?

West Virginia real and personal property tax records are managed by the County Assessor in each county. Land and land improvements are considered real property while mobile property is classified as personal property.

Many County Assessors offer an online searchable database, where assessment record searches can be performed by name, account number, year, or mp/parcel number. Where online records are not available, requests for records can be made to the Assessment Office in person, by phone, or in writing.

  • 1786 Fothergill, Augusta B. and John Mark Naugle. Virginia Tax Payers, 1782-87, Other Than Those Published by the United States Census Bureau. 1940; reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1978. FS Catalog book 975.5 R4f 1978. Online at FamilySearch Digital Library, FS Library film 874197, item 4 - images. 1786 personal property tax list of Hardy County.
  • 1786-1819 Heinegg, Paul. "Hardy County Personal Property Tax List, 1786-1819," at Free African Americans.com. Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.
  • 1786-1850 Hardy County Personal property tax lists, 1786-1850 at FS Library films 2024575-2024578 - images
  • 1787 Schreiner-Yantis, Netti and Florene Speakman Love. The 1787 Census of Virginia: An Accounting of the Name of Every White Male Tithable Over 21 Years, the Number of White Males Between 16 & 21 Years, the Number of Slaves over 16 & Those Under 16 Years, Together with a Listing of Their Horses, Cattle & Carriages, and Also the Names of All Persons to Whom Ordinary Licenses and Physician's Licenses Were Issued. 3 vols. Springfield, Va.: Genealogical Books in Print, 1987. Available at FS Library. The source of this publication is the 1787 personal property tax list. Hardy County is included in Vol. 2.
  • 1810 Schreiner-Yates, Netti. A Supplement to the 1810 Census of Virginia: Tax Lists of the Counties for which the Census is Missing. Springfield, Va.: Genealogical Books in Print, 1971. Available at FS Library. The source for this publication is the 1810 personal property tax list. Hardy County is included because the 1810 Census for that county has been destroyed.
  • 1815 Ward, Roger D. 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer). 6 vols. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co., 1997-2000. Available at FS Library. The source for this publication is the 1815 land tax. Hardy County is included in Vol. 6.

Vital Records

Birth

Marriage

Death

Divorce

Research Facilities

Archives

Listed below are archives in Hardy County. For state-wide archival repositories, see West Virginia Archives and Libraries.

FamilySearch Centers

FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries

  • FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
  • FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

Libraries

Listed below are libraries in Hardy County. For state-wide library facilities, see West Virginia Archives and Libraries.

Museums

Societies

Listed below are societies in Hardy County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see West Virginia Societies.

Hardy County Historical Society
104 S Main St 2B
PO Box 1
Moorefield, WV 26836
Phone: 304-257-3844
Email: email@hardycountyhistoricalsociety.com
Website
Facebook

Websites

Research Guides

References

  1. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), West Virginia.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hardy County, West Virginia" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardy_County,_West_Virginia."
  3. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Hardy County, West Virginia. Page 744 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  4. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Hardy County, West Virginia. Page 743-746 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 742-743.
  5. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), West Virginia.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
  6. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Hardy County, West Virginia," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardy_County,_West_Virginia, accessed 04 July 2018.
  7. ↑ Robert Baylor Semple and George William Beale, A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia (Pitt and Dickinson, 1894), 229-230. Digital versions at FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ Stuart Lee Butler, A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812 (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., 1988), 103. FS Library Book 975.5 M2bs.
  9. ↑ Jack L. Dickinson, 8th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1986). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 25.
  10. ↑ Richard L. Armstrong, 11th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1989). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 52.
  11. ↑ Roger U. Delauter, 18th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1985). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 18.
  12. ↑ Richard L. Armstrong, 25th Virginia Infantry and 9th Battalion Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1990). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 71.
  13. ↑ Roger U. Delauter, 62nd Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1988). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 41.
  14. ↑ National Park Service, Civil War Battles. Filter by state or battle name.



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Links to West Virginia-related articles (see also Virginia-related articles)
Topics
Counties
Major
Repositories
Boyd County Public Library (Ashland, KY) · Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library · Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh, PA) · Library of Congress (Washington, DC) · Library of Virginia (Richmond, VA) · Martinsburg-Berkeley County Public Library · Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library (Lancaster, VA) · Maryland State Archives (Annapolis, MD) · National Archives I (Washington, DC) · National Archives II (College Park, MD) · National Archives at Philadelphia (PA) · New York Public Library (New York City, NY) · Parkersburg and Wood County Public Library · Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston · Santa Cruz Public Library Downtown (Santa Cruz, CA) · University of Chicago Library (Chicago, IL) · Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, VA) · Washington National Records Center (Suitland, MD) · West Virginia Archives and History · West Virginia University Wise Library · West Virginia Vital Registration Office
Migration
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