Pocahontas County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description
Pocahontas County was named for Pocahontas and is located in the east-central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Pocahontas County Courthouse 900 10th Ave Marlinton, WV 24954 Phone: 304-799-4549 Pocahontas County Website County Clerk has birth records from 1853; death records from 1854; marriage, probate, and land records from 1822. Circuit Court Clerk has divorce 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:

Bible Records

 * 1823-1915 (*); at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * RAY Family Bible record, 1796-1915 at US GenWeb Archives

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

African Americans

 * Heinegg, Paul. "Pocahontas County Personal Property Tax List, 1825-1843," Free African Americans.com. Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.

Genealogies
It is anticipated that this bibliography will eventually identify all known family histories published about residents of this county. Use this list to:


 * Locate publications about direct ancestors
 * Find the most updated accounts of an ancestor's family
 * Identify publications, to quote Elizabeth Shown Mills, about an ancestor's "FAN Club" [Friends, Associates, and Neighbors]

Local Histories

 * Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County, West Virginia. By William T. Price. Marlinton, W. Va., Price brothers, 1901. Online at:  FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive.

Maps and Gazetteers

 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
 * Maps of West Virginia (1617-1995)
 * Map of 1850 Virginia and West Virginia
 * Pocahonta County West Virginia Map
 * Pocahontas County Map
 * Pocahontas County, West Virginia Maps

Military Records

 * Pocahontas County Military

Revolutionary War

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

Civil War

 * - 3rd Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry and Infantry) (Confederate). Company D.
 * - 9th Battalion, Virginia Infantry (Hansbrough's) (Confederate). Company D (Pocahontas Rescues).
 * - 11th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry. Company F (The Bath Grays).
 * - 18th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company G.
 * - 19th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company F (Pocahontas Cavalry) and Company I.
 * - 31st Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company G (Pocahontas Riflemen).

Records and histories are available, including:


 * 1861-1865  at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 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)

Civil War Battle The following Civil War battles were fought in Pocahontas County.


 * September 12-15, 1861 - Cheat Mountain, also known as Cheat Mountain Summit
 * October 3, 1861 - Greenbrier River
 * December 13, 1861 - Camp Alleghany
 * November 6, 1863 - Droop Mountain


 * Map showing Civil War battles in West Virginia.

World War

 * Clerk of the County Court, Military records, 1916-1921

World War II

 * 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * Pocahontas County, West Virginia World War II Casualties Army and Air Force

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1814-1991  at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection

Newspapers
The Pocahontas Times

Obituaries

 * Pocahontas County, West Virginia Obituary Index

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records


 * 1724-1978 West Virginia Wills and Probate Records 1724-1978 at Ancestry.com — index and images $
 * 1756-1971 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.

Tax Records

 * How can Virginia tax lists help me?
 * 1825-1843 - Heinegg, Paul. "Pocahontas County Personal Property Tax List, 1825-1843," Free African Americans.com. Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these 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.

Birth

 * 1853-1914 West Virginia Birth Index, 1853-1914 at MyHeritage - index ($)

Marriage

 * 1776-1971 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1780-1970 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1801-1962 West Virginia, United States Marriages at Findmypast; index $

Death

 * 1804-1999 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1853-1964 West Virginia Death Index & Certificates, 1853-1964 at MyHeritage - index ($)

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Libraries
Pocahontas County Libraries Website Multiple locations

Societies
Allegheny Regional Family History Society Website Pocahontas County Historical Society, Inc. 810 Second Avenue Marlinton, WV 24954 Phone: 304-799-6659 Website

Websites

 * Pocahontas County, WV History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Cyndi's List
 * Preserving Pocahontas WV Historic Preservation Project
 * WVGenWeb, Pocahontas County
 * Pocahontas County, West Virginia various records on Microfilm at the Library of Virginia
 * Pocahontas County West Virginia History and Genealogy
 * USGWArchives, 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

Research Guides

 * "A Guide to the Counties of Virginia: Pocahontas County," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1976):210-212. Available at ; digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).