West Virginia History: Difference between revisions
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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. (Family History Library | *''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. (Family History Library {{FHL|488883|title-id|disp=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. (Family History Library | *''Bibliography of Local History and Genealogy'' <ref>Daughters of the American Revolution, West Virginia. ''Bibliography of Local History and Genealogy''. N.p.: 1965. (Family History Library {{FHL|29911|title-id|disp=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. ( | *''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>[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/12356760&referer=brief_results 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. ( | *''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|title-id|disp=FHL book 973 A3ka}}.) </ref><ref>[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=United+States+Local+Histories+in+the+Library+of+Congress&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; (Family History Library | *''West Virginia County Formations and Boundary Changes'' <ref>''West Virginia County Formations and Boundary Changes''. Charleston, West Virginia: Historical Records Survey, 1939; (Family History Library {{FHL|47845|title-id|disp=book 975.4 E2h; film 1573628}}.) </ref> | ||
== State Histories Useful to Genealogists == | == State Histories Useful to Genealogists == | ||
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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.&nbsp;&nbsp;(Family History Library | *''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.&nbsp;&nbsp;(Family History Library {{FHL|49225|title-id|disp=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. (Family History Library | *''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia'' <ref>Comstock, Jim F. ''The West Virginia Heritage Encyclopedia''. 25 volumes. Richwood, West Virginia: 1976. (Family History Library {{FHL|10619|title-id|disp=book 975.4 H26w; fiche 6051466-490}}.) </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. (Family History Library | *''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. (Family History Library {{FHL|10607|title-id|disp=book 975.4 H26wa; volumes 12-13 on film 1321160 item 9; volumes 1-25 on fiche 6051350}}.)</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 | *''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> | ||
*''Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars.'' <ref>Doddridge, Joseph. ''Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars.'' With a memoir of the author by his daughter Narcissa Doddridge, republished with the addition of new and valuable material by John S. Ritenour and Wm. T. Lindsey, Pittsburgh, PA., 1912; reprinted 1960, 1970, 1976, 1996 by McLain Printing Company, Parsons, WV. (Family History Library | *''Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars.'' <ref>Doddridge, Joseph. ''Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars.'' With a memoir of the author by his daughter Narcissa Doddridge, republished with the addition of new and valuable material by John S. Ritenour and Wm. T. Lindsey, Pittsburgh, PA., 1912; reprinted 1960, 1970, 1976, 1996 by McLain Printing Company, Parsons, WV. (Family History Library {{FHL|278215|title-id|disp=book 973 H2do; fiche 6049128}}.)</ref> | ||
*''Chronicles of Border Warfare'' <ref>Withers, Alexander Scott, ''Chronicles of Border Warfare'' edited and annotated by Reuben Gold Thwaites. The Robert Clarke Company, Cincinnati, OH, 1895; reprinted 1961, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1989 by McLain Printing Company, Parsons, WV. (Family History Library | *''Chronicles of Border Warfare'' <ref>Withers, Alexander Scott, ''Chronicles of Border Warfare'' edited and annotated by Reuben Gold Thwaites. The Robert Clarke Company, Cincinnati, OH, 1895; reprinted 1961, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1989 by McLain Printing Company, Parsons, WV. (Family History Library {{FHL|180853|title-id|disp=book 975.5 H2wc 1961; fiche 6067169}}.) </ref> | ||
To find more books and articles about West Virginia's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "West Virginia history." [[Family History Library Catalog Surname Search|Family History Library Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like: | To find more books and articles about West Virginia's history use the Internet [http://www.google.com/ Google] search for phases like "West Virginia history." [[Family History Library Catalog Surname Search|Family History Library Catalog Surname Search]] lists many more histories under topics like: | ||