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''[[United States|United States]] > [[West Virginia|West Virginia]] > West Virginia History'' | ''[[United States|United States]] > [[West Virginia|West Virginia]] > West Virginia History'' | ||
== Brief History == | == Brief History == | ||
The following important events in the history of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Virginia West Virginia] affected political jurisdictions, family movements, and record keeping. For information about the United States from prior to 1712 see the [[United States History|United States History]] page. | The following important events in the history of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Virginia West Virginia] affected political jurisdictions, family movements, and record keeping. For information about the United States from prior to 1712 see the [[United States History|United States History]] page. | ||
'''1712:''' [http://www.degraffenreid.org/pages/5/page5.html?refresh=1136349481689 Baron Christopher de Graffenreid] visits the Eastern Panhandle looking for land for Swiss families. <ref name="Bushong">Bushong, Millard Kessler. ''A History of Jefferson County, West Virginia [1719-1940]''. Heritage Books, 2008. ISBN 0788422502, 9780788422508. Pages 438. Limited view is available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=tS1fQynwry8C&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=Pocomoke+Church+at+Shepherdstown.&source=bl&ots=yiEsAHHUP0&sig=JQj-lDWkyzS1BeuEoaLIxzBhwrE&hl=en&ei=FARASuuhJ4vWsgPao_WQDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1 Google Books] [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51325539 Worldcat 51325539] </ref>For more information on immigration to West Virginia see the [[West Virginia Emigration and Immigration|West Virginia Emigration and Immigration]] page. | '''1712:''' [http://www.degraffenreid.org/pages/5/page5.html?refresh=1136349481689 Baron Christopher de Graffenreid] visits the Eastern Panhandle looking for land for Swiss families. <ref name="Bushong">Bushong, Millard Kessler. ''A History of Jefferson County, West Virginia [1719-1940]''. Heritage Books, 2008. ISBN 0788422502, 9780788422508. Pages 438. Limited view is available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=tS1fQynwry8C&amp;pg=PA8&amp;lpg=PA8&amp;dq=Pocomoke+Church+at+Shepherdstown.&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=yiEsAHHUP0&amp;sig=JQj-lDWkyzS1BeuEoaLIxzBhwrE&amp;hl=en&amp;ei=FARASuuhJ4vWsgPao_WQDw&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=book_result&amp;ct=result&amp;resnum=1 Google Books] [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/51325539 Worldcat 51325539] </ref>For more information on immigration to West Virginia see the [[West Virginia Emigration and Immigration|West Virginia Emigration and Immigration]] page. | ||
'''1719:''' Presbyterians founded the first church in West Virginia, Potomoke Church at Shepherdstown. <ref name="Bushong" /> | '''1719:''' Presbyterians founded the first church in West Virginia, Potomoke Church at Shepherdstown. <ref name="Bushong" /> | ||
'''1731-1734:''' [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108289.html Morgan Morgan], the first white settler in West Virginia established a home in Berkeley County, Virginia. <ref>''West Virginia: A Guide to the Mountain State''. West Virginia Federal Writers' Project. Jim Comstock, 1973. Pages 559. Full text available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Q3n11Tg9kDoC&printsec=frontcover&dq=West+Virginia:+a+guide+to+the+mountain+state&ei=6v8_SvzULZDOlQTbkKDrDg Google Books] </ref>[[Image:West Augusta.jpg|thumb|right|250px]] '''1738:''' Frederick and Augusta counties were formed from Orange County, Virginia. Frederick County included territory later in the Eastern panhandle of West Virginia and began functioning in 1743. Augusta County encompassed all the area west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Mountains Blue Ridge mountains] north of the Carolinas and began functioning in 1745. | '''1731-1734:''' [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108289.html Morgan Morgan], the first white settler in West Virginia established a home in Berkeley County, Virginia. <ref>''West Virginia: A Guide to the Mountain State''. West Virginia Federal Writers' Project. Jim Comstock, 1973. Pages 559. Full text available at [http://books.google.com/books?id=Q3n11Tg9kDoC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=West+Virginia:+a+guide+to+the+mountain+state&amp;ei=6v8_SvzULZDOlQTbkKDrDg Google Books] </ref>[[Image:West Augusta.jpg|thumb|right|250px|West Augusta.jpg]] '''1738:''' Frederick and Augusta counties were formed from Orange County, Virginia. Frederick County included territory later in the Eastern panhandle of West Virginia and began functioning in 1743. Augusta County encompassed all the area west of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Mountains Blue Ridge mountains] north of the Carolinas and began functioning in 1745. | ||
'''1753: ''' Hampshire County, Virginia was created. This was the first county whose boundaries were within present-day West Virginia. | '''1753: ''' Hampshire County, Virginia was created. This was the first county whose boundaries were within present-day West Virginia. | ||
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'''1803:''' First newspaper west of the Alleghenies is the [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvhampsh/nzppr.htm Monongalia Gazette and Morgantown Advertiser]. | '''1803:''' First newspaper west of the Alleghenies is the [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvhampsh/nzppr.htm Monongalia Gazette and Morgantown Advertiser]. | ||
'''1804:''' Mason county was created from Kanawha county. [[Image:Proposed state of kanawha.jpg|thumb|right|350px]] '''1818:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Road The Cumberland Road] (or National Road) was completed from Cumberland, Maryland, to Wheeling. Counties were changed with Preston county being created from Monongalia county and Nicholas county was created from Greenbrier, Kanawha, Randolph Counties. Charles Town renamed Charleston. | '''1804:''' Mason county was created from Kanawha county. [[Image:Proposed state of kanawha.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Proposed state of kanawha.jpg]] '''1818:''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Road The Cumberland Road] (or National Road) was completed from Cumberland, Maryland, to Wheeling. Counties were changed with Preston county being created from Monongalia county and Nicholas county was created from Greenbrier, Kanawha, Randolph Counties. Charles Town renamed Charleston. | ||
'''1861-1865:''' In a dispute over secession, fifty western counties broke off to form the “restored government of Virginia,” which remained loyal to the Union. The state of [http://www.wvculture.org/hiStory/statehoo.html West Virginia] was admitted to the Union in 1863. During the Civil War, about 32,000 West Virginia soldiers enlisted in the Union Army, while 9,000 served the Confederacy. For more information about the Civil War see the [[United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865|United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865]] page. | '''1861-1865:''' In a dispute over secession, fifty western counties broke off to form the “restored government of Virginia,” which remained loyal to the Union. The state of [http://www.wvculture.org/hiStory/statehoo.html West Virginia] was admitted to the Union in 1863. During the Civil War, about 32,000 West Virginia soldiers enlisted in the Union Army, while 9,000 served the Confederacy. For more information about the Civil War see the [[United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865|United States Civil War, 1861 to 1865]] page. | ||
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'''1964–1972:''' Over 8.7 million American men and women served in the [http://www.vietnamwar.com/ Vietnam War]. | '''1964–1972:''' Over 8.7 million American men and women served in the [http://www.vietnamwar.com/ Vietnam War]. | ||
== Local Histories == | == Local Histories == | ||
Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "[[United States History|History]]" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of West Virginia . | Some of the most valuable sources for family history research are local histories. Published histories of towns, counties, and states usually contain accounts of families. They describe the settlement of the area and the founding of churches, schools, and businesses. You can also find lists of pioneers, soldiers, and civil officials. Even if your ancestor is not listed, information on other relatives may be included that will provide important clues for locating your ancestor. A local history may also suggest other records to search. Local histories are extensively collected by the [[Family History Library|Family History Library]], public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies. The United States Research "[[United States History|History]]" page cites nationwide bibliographies of local histories which include histories of West Virginia . | ||
*''West Virginia History: a bibliography and guide to research'' <ref>Forbes, Harold M. ''West Virginia History: a bibliography and guide to research''. Morgantown, West Virginia; West Virginia University Press, 1981. | *''West Virginia History: a bibliography and guide to research'' <ref>Forbes, Harold M. ''West Virginia History: a bibliography and guide to research''. Morgantown, West Virginia; West Virginia University Press, 1981. {{FHL|488883|item|disp=FHL book 975.4 H2f}} </ref> | ||
*''Bibliography of Local History and Genealogy'' <ref>Daughters of the American Revolution, West Virginia. ''Bibliography of Local History and Genealogy''. N.p.: 1965. | *''Bibliography of Local History and Genealogy'' <ref>Daughters of the American Revolution, West Virginia. ''Bibliography of Local History and Genealogy''. N.p.: 1965. {{FHL|29911|item|disp=FHL film 940922}} </ref>This is a helpful index to books and articles on West Virginia families. | ||
*''A Bibliography of American County Histories'' <ref>Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985. ({{FHL|A Bibliography of American County Histories|title|disp=FHL book 973 H23bi}})</ref> <ref> | *''A Bibliography of American County Histories'' <ref>Filby, P. William. ''A Bibliography of American County Histories''. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1985. ({{FHL|A Bibliography of American County Histories|title|disp=FHL book 973 H23bi}})</ref> <ref>{{WorldCat|12356760|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}} </ref> | ||
*''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress'' <ref>Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. ({{FHL|252458| | *''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress'' <ref>Kaminkow, Marion J. ''United States Local Histories in the Library of Congress''. 5 vols. Baltimore: Magna Charta Book, 1975-76. ({{FHL|252458|item|disp=FHL book 973 A3ka}}.) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&amp;qt=results_page Worldcat] </ref> | ||
To determine county boundary changes, see: | To determine county boundary changes, see: | ||
*''West Virginia County Formations and Boundary Changes'' <ref>''West Virginia County Formations and Boundary Changes''. Charleston, West Virginia: Historical Records Survey, 1939 | *''West Virginia County Formations and Boundary Changes'' <ref>''West Virginia County Formations and Boundary Changes''. Charleston, West Virginia: Historical Records Survey, 1939 {{FHL|47845|item|disp=FHL film 1573628; book 975.4 E2h}} </ref> | ||
== State Histories Useful to Genealogists == | == State Histories Useful to Genealogists == | ||
Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, especially older histories published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of West Virginia are: | Good genealogists strive to understand the life and times of their ancestors. In this sense, any history is useful. But certain kinds of state, county, and local histories, especially older histories published between 1845 and 1945, often include biographical sketches of prominent individuals. The sketches usually tend toward the laudatory, but may include some genealogical details. If these histories are indexed or alphabetical, check for an ancestor's name. Some examples for the State of West Virginia are: | ||
*''Making a State: Formation of West Virginia'' <ref>Sims, Edgar Barr. ''Making a State: Formation of West Virginia''.&nbsp;Charleston, West Virginia : E.B. Sims, 1956. | *''Making a State: Formation of West Virginia'' <ref>Sims, Edgar Barr. ''Making a State: Formation of West Virginia''.&amp;nbsp;Charleston, West Virginia : E.B. Sims, 1956. {{FHL|49225|item|disp=FHL book 975.4 R2s}} </ref> | ||
*''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia'' <ref>Comstock, Jim F. ''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia''. 25 volumes. Richwood, West Virginia: 1976. | *''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia'' <ref>Comstock, Jim F. ''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia''. 25 volumes. Richwood, West Virginia: 1976. {{FHL|10619|item|disp=FHL fiche 6051466-490; book 975.4 H26w}} </ref>This primarily includes biographical and geographical sketches from other published sources. This serves as a partial index to the Supplemental Series. | ||
*''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia: Supplemental Series'' <ref>Comstock, Jim F. ''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia: Supplemental Series''. 25 volumes. Richwood, West Virginia:&nbsp; 1974. | *''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia: Supplemental Series'' <ref>Comstock, Jim F. ''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia: Supplemental Series''. 25 volumes. Richwood, West Virginia:&amp;nbsp; 1974. {{FHL|10607|item|disp=FHL volumes 12-13 on film 1321160 item 9; volumes 1-25 on fiche 6051350; book 975.4 H26wa}}</ref> This contains reprints of several articles and books related to West Virginia history and people. | ||
*''West Virginia: A History''. <ref>Rice, Otis K. ''West Virginia: A History''. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky, 1985. (Family History Library {{FHL|488886|title-id|disp=book 975.4 H2ric}}.) </ref> | *''West Virginia: A History''. <ref>Rice, Otis K. ''West Virginia: A History''. Lexington, Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky, 1985. (Family History Library {{FHL|488886|title-id|disp=book 975.4 H2ric}}.) </ref> | ||
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*[http://www.wvculture.org/history/archivesindex.aspx West Virginia Archives and History] | *[http://www.wvculture.org/history/archivesindex.aspx West Virginia Archives and History] | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
<references /> {{West Virginia|West Virginia}} | |||
[[Category:West_Virginia|History]] | [[Category:West_Virginia|History]] | ||