Upshur County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description
The County was named for Abel Parker Upshur. The County has Buckhannon as its seat and the County was created March 26, 1851. The County is located in the north central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Upshur County Courthouse 40 West Main Street, #101 Buckhannon, WV 26201 Phone: 304-472-1068 Upshur County Website County Clerk has birth, marriage, death and land records from 1853. Clerk of the Circuit Court has divorce, probate, and county records.

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:

Local Histories

 * Upshur County History
 * The History of Upshire County, West Virginia
 * West Virginia Archives History Upshur County
 * Upshur County, West Virginia from Hardesty's 1883
 * History of the Sago Community

Maps and Gazetteers

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

Civil War
Union


 * - 1st Regiment, West Virginia Light Artillery, Battery E Light Artillery.

Confederate


 * - 25th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Heck's). Company A (Upshur Grays).

Records and histories are available, including:


 * 1861-1865 West Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865
 * 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)
 * Upshur County Military Records
 * West Virginia Archives Union Milia Rosters Upshur County

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1814-1991  at FamilySearch — index and images

Obituaries

 * Upshur County, West Virginia, obituaries and news items, Includes index

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
 * 1852-1955 Upshur County, West Virginia Will Books 1852-1955
 * West Virginia Will Books

Tax Records
Online West Virginia Tax site

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.

Marriage

 * 1780-1970 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1801-1962 - West Virginia, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers
 * Buckhannon West Virginia Family History Center

Libraries

 * Upshur County Public Library Website
 * West Virginia Wesleyan College Annie M Pfeiffer Library College Avenue Buckhannon, WV 26201 Phone: 304-473-8059

Societies

 * Upshur County Historical Society Box 753 Buckhannon, WV 26201 Website
 * Methodist Historical Society

Websites

 * Upshur County, WV History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Upshur Surnames
 * Upshur Families
 * Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants, Inc.
 * WV Genweb Archives Project
 * Cyndi's List
 * - 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