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
The County was named for Andrew Jackson. The County has Ripley as its seat and the County was created March 1, 1831. The County is located in the west central area of the state.

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
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:

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

Marriage

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

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to 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