Barbour County, West Virginia Genealogy

Guide to Barbour 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 Philip Pendleton Barbour. The County has Philippi as its seat and the County was created March 3, 1843. The County is located in the north central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Barbour County Courthouse 8 N Main Street Philippi, WV 26416 Phone: 304-457-2232 Barbour County Website


 * County Clerk has birth, marriage, death since 1853
 * Probate Record and land records from 1845
 * Clerk Circuit Court has divorce and court 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:

Biographies

 * Barbour County Biography at Ancestry.com ($)

Census Records

 * 1850 Barbour County, West Virginia Census

Court Records
Court Petitions
 * Eckenrode, H.J. Virginia State Library: A Calendar of Legislative Petitions Arranged by Counties Accomac - Bedford. Richmond, Va.: Davis Bottom, Superintendent of Public Printing, 1908. Digital version at Google Books. Barbour County petitions (1843-1858) are described on pp. 186-194.

Genealogies

 * Coberly - Harter, Mary. "James Cunningham of Western Virginia," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 29, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1985):9-16; Vol. 29, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1985):109-116. Digital version at American Ancestors ($)..
 * Male - Mayhle, Bernard Victor. The Males of Barbour County, West Virginia. 1983.
 * Male - Barnett, Glenn W. Mayle-Male-Male Family Kinship: Four Generations of Descendants of Mary Elizabeth Male nee Cockit.
 * Male - Heinegg, Paul. Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Delaware (2005). Digital version online
 * Male - Finley, Alexandra. "Founding Chestnut Ridge: The Origins of Central West Virginia's Community," Senior Honor's Thesis, The Ohio State University (2010). Digital version online.

Local Histories

 * Barbour County History at Ancestry ($)

Maps and Gazetteers

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

Military Records
Go here for general Military Records of West Virginia

Civil War

 * - 20th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company D..
 * - 31st Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company H (Barbour Greys) and Company K (Potomac Guards or Mountain Guards).
 * - 62nd Regiment, Virginia Mounted Infantry (Confederate). Company E.

Records and histories are available, including:


 * West Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865
 * Union and Confederate Soldiers and Sympathizers of Barbour County, West Virginia at Ancestry ($)
 * 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 battle was fought in Barbour County.


 * June 3, 1861 - Philippi, also known as Philippi Races
 * Map showing Civil War battles in West Virginia.

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
 * Barbour County, West Virginia Will Books 1846-1960
 * West Virginia Will Books
 * Barbour County Wills a Collection

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.
 * Indexes to births, marriages and deaths, 1848-1969

Birth

 * Barbour County Births, USGenWeb

Marriage

 * 1801-1962 - West Virginia, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * West Virginia Marriages 1853-1970; free searchable index available at FamilySearch. Records include such information as bride and groom's names, birth date and birthplace, marriage place, clerk's name and sometimes the name of the father, and film and record numbers. Individual names and collections can be searched at FamilySearch.Marriage bonds of Barbour County, Virginia, 1843
 * Barbour County Marriages, USGenWeb

Death

 * Barbour County Deaths, USGenWeb
 * Death records, 1853-1969

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Societies

 * Allegheny Regional Family History Society

Websites

 * Barbour County, WV History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Barbour County, West Virginia Microfilms at the Library of Virginia
 * Cyndi's List
 * Barbour County Family Album
 * More Barbour County Resources
 * - 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