West Virginia Periodicals

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West Virginia

Periodicals

Overview

A periodical is a regularly published magazine, newsletter, or journal. Several valuable periodicals concerning West Virginia genealogical research exist. Many genealogical and historical societies publish magazines and newsletters. The articles in these periodicals often include the following:

• Family genealogies and pedigrees
• Helpful articles on research methodology
• Transcripts or indexes of biographical sketches, censuses, church records, migration lists, military records, obituaries, wills, vital records, and more
• Historical background
• Current and historical maps
• Information about local and national records, archives, and services
• Interesting articles about social life and customs
• Book advertisements and book reviews
• Advertisements of professional researchers
• Queries or requests for information about specific ancestors that can help you contact other interested researchers

Periodicals

A list of helpful periodicals that include pre-1863 West Virginia are:

• The Journal of the Kanawha Valley Genealogical Society 1977-. Published by the Kanawha Valley Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 8555, South Charleston, West Virginia 25303-8555. FS Catalog book 975.43 D25j.

• Tri-County Researcher 1976-. Published by Linda Goddard Stout, P.O. Box 196, Proctor, West Virginia 26055-0196, Telephone: 304-455-3203. FS Catalog book 975.41 B2t and FS Library fiche 6048907-18. Covers Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties.

• The Virginia Genealogist 1957-. Published by John Frederick Dorman, P.O. Box 4883, Washington, DC 20008. FS Catalog book 975.5 B2vg; FS Library films 844855 item 2-4, and 844856-7. There are cumulative indexes for volumes 1-35.

• West Augusta Historical and Genealogical Society Newsletter 1944-. Published by the West Augusta Historical and Genealogical Society, 2515 10th Avenue, Parkersburg, West Virginia 26101-5829. FS Catalog book 975.422 D25t.

• West Virginia History: A Quarterly Magazine 1939-. Published by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Cultural Center, Capitol Complex, Charleston, West Virginia, 25305-0300. FS Catalog book 975.4 B2wh.

• West Virginia Historical Magazine Quarterly 1901-1905. 5 vols. 1902 online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.

Obtaining Periodicals

Copies of periodicals are available from the local societies that publish them. Major archives with genealogical collections will have copies of many periodicals, particularly those representing the area they serve. The Periodical Source Index, or PERSI, is the largest subject index to genealogy and local history periodical articles in the world. PERSI is available online and is especially useful because it refers to countless items published in thousands of family history periodicals worldwide. Search PERSI:

• PERiodical Source Index (PERSI) at Allen County Public Library; index; More information: Periodical Source Index (PERSI)
  

Once you locate an article in a periodical, check the FamilySearch Catalog and regional or local libraries for available copies. The FamilySearch Library has collected many periodicals, with some available in digital format and accessible online. West Virginia periodicals may be found in the FamilySearch Catalog with a Place and Subject search, as found here: West Virginia-Periodicals. They can also be found by using:

• Place Search of the country, state/province, and county
• Title Search of the periodical
• Keyword Search for the publishing society name.
  

Also find Periodical resources available at other libraries via WorldCat. As with the FamilySearch Catalog search, search WorldCat using society names, locality names, and periodical title names. Learn more about how to search WorldCat and the FamilySearch Catalog on our Wiki pages.

Websites

Library Virginia Archives

West Virginia History 1990-1997