Jackson County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description
From Early Settlers of Jackson County by O. J. Morrison:


 * William Hannamon, Benjamin Cox, and James McDade were the first known English settlers in Jackson County, moving into the Mill Creek area in May 1796. The first two built homes and took up permanent residence in the county. McDade served as an Indian scout, traveling the banks of the Ohio River, with his only companion, a faithful dog, at his side. It was said that his sole ambition in life was to alert some poor traveler of the presence of Indians and preventing them from becoming a victim of what he viewed were murderous savages.
 * In the month of May, 1796, William Hannamon, Benjamin Cox and James McDade reared their cabins within the present limits of Union District, and were thus the first to establish civilized homes in what is now Jackson County. The first two became actual settlers and began to fell the forest and cultivate the soil. McDade, who was a soldier in the service of Virginia, selected a site for his future home, but continued to discharge the duties assigned him-that of Indian scout-and many days and nights did he spend in the dreary wilderness between the mouths of the Great and Little Kanawha Rivers, watching to catch a glimpse of the savage foe on the shore of the Old Northwest Territory beyond the Ohio. Jackson County was created in 1831, from parts of Mason, Kanawha and Wood, in compliance with an act of the General Assembly of Virginia, passed March 1st of that year, and named in honor of the hero of New Orleans, who was at that time President of the United States. The present area of the county is 400 square miles.

From Hardesty's History of Jackson County, Page 2:


 * Wayne's treaty with the Indians in 1795, forever put an end to savage warfare in the Ohio valley. The storm had spent its force and died away, and hundreds of pioneers now found homes on the banks of the Ohio. Among those who sought a dwelling place within the present limits of Jackson county were Samuel McDade, and John Hannamon, both of whom came in 1796. Then followed Charles Parsons, Samuel Tanner, John Greathouse, Elijah Staats, Jacob Starcher, Isaac McKown, John McKown, Joel Buffington, who settled on Buffington's island; John Ingles, Joshua Freehart and Joel Dewey, who built the block-house at the mouth of Pond Creek; John Coleman, who was killed by Indians near where the town of Cottageville now stands; Joseph Hall, James Hydes, Isaac Hydes, George Hydes, John Brown, Benjamin Wright, and A. W. Alkire.
 * From the formation of Mason county in 1804 to the year 1831. Jackson was a part of Mason and Wood, but in the latter year the old pioneers, wearied with long jaunts to court at Point Pleasant or Parkersburg, court circulated which was numerously signed and sent to Richmond, where it was laid before the general assembly, then in session in that city. The prayer was heard with favor, and in 1831 Jackson county named in honor of Andrew Jackson, then president of the United States-was checkered upon the map of Virginia.[[Image:Andrew Jackson.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Andrew Jackson]]

The county is named after President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845).

County Courthouse
Jackson County Courthouse P O Box 800 Ripley, WV 25271 Phone: 304-372-2011 Jackson County Website County Clerk has birth and death records from 1853, land records from early 1800s, probate records from 1861, and military records from 1918. Clerk of the Circuit Court has divorce and court records.

Populated Places
Cities
 * Ravenswood
 * Ripley

Inhabited places

Cemeteries

 * Cemeteries of Jackson County
 * Hometownlocator Cemeteries
 * Political Graveyard Jackson County West Virginia
 * Ravenswood Cemetery, Jackson County
 * Random Acts WV Cemetery Records Research Guide
 * Jackson County, Obituaries

Census Records

 * Census Records of Jackson County, West Virginia

Local Histories

 * Jackson County history : the journal of the Jackson County, West Virginia, Historical Society
 * Welcome to Jackson County, West Virginia
 * Jackson County History
 * Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia...Special History of the Virginias..1883.
 * Jackson County, West Virginia, past and present Jackson County Genealogical Society 1990.
 * Jackson County, West Virginia, past and present, 1990 Jackson County Historical Society 1997.
 * West Virginia Archives &amp; Histories Jackson County
 * Books by John House - Histories of Jackson County, West Virginia

Maps and Gazetteers



 * Maps of West Virginia (1617-1995)
 * Map of 1850 Virginia and West Virginia
 * Jackson County, West Virginia Map
 * Maps of West Virginia

Revolutionary War

 * Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841. Digital version at Google Books. 1967 reprint: FHL Book 973 X2pc 1840. See Virginia, Western District, Jackson County on pages 134-135.
 * Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." FHL Book 973 M24ur; digital version at Ancestry ($). Includes veterans from this county; Virginia section begins on page 238.

Civil War
Confederate


 * - 3rd Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry and Infantry) (Confederate). Companies B, C, and D.
 * - 10th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (1st Cavalry Regiment, Wise Legion (Confederate). Company G (The Jackson Rangers).
 * - 14th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company N (Night Hawk Rangers).
 * - 19th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company C.
 * - 22nd Regiment, Virginia Infantry (1st Kanawha Regiment). Company F (Border Rifles).
 * - 26th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company D and Company F.

Union


 * - 8th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry.

Records and histories are available, including:


 * West Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865
 * Jackson Countians in the Civil War
 * 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry— index (free)
 * 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry— index (free)

World War I

 * World War I Draft Registration in Jackson County

World War II

 * World War II Enlistment Records
 * World War II Military Service News
 * Jackson County, West Virginia World War II Casualties Army and Air Force

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1814-1991 at FamilySearch — index and images

Probate Records
Online Probate Records


 * 1724-1978 West Virginia Wills and Probate Records 1724-1978 at Ancestry — index and images $
 * 1756-1971 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * Jackson County, West Virginia Will Books 1831-1967
 * West Virginia Will Books
 * Jackson County Wills, WVGenWeb

Tax Records
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.

The search for tax information can start here

Vital Records

 * West Virginia Vital Records, 1865-1969 (varies) - Includes birth, death, and marriage.
 * Jackson County West Virginia marriages

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to LDS Family History Centers

Libraries

 * Jackson County Public Library

Societies

 * Jackson County Historical Society P O Box 22 Ripley, WV 25271

Websites

 * Jackson County, WV History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Cyndi's List for West Virginia
 * Families of Jackson County, West Virginia
 * West Virginia Pioneers
 * Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants, Inc
 * Jackson County, West Virginia Wikipedia
 * The Heritage of Jackson County
 * History and Genealogy Jackson County, West Virginia
 * - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records