BUCKHANNON – Whether they now live near or far, many people call Buckhannon or Upshur County home.
Given the fast-paced, ever-changing world we live in now, some of us have a renewed interest in looking back in time to learn about the good ol’ days. However, what many people don’t know is that some visitors to Upshur County are in search of knowledge that will allow them to gain deeper connections with their family lineage, also known as genealogy.
Are you interested in learning more about your family genealogy and your ancestors’ connection to the hills of Upshur County? See this list of resources to jumpstart your research journey.
Upshur County Historical Society Document Repository
The Upshur County Historical Society is home to all things Upshur County. With countless pieces of history available at your fingertips, take a step back in time to learn about what makes Upshur County so special and home to many. UCHS volunteers are eager to help you on your family genealogy journey.
Resources available at the Repository include, but are not limited to:
- Death Certificates
- Marriage Licenses
- Census Records
- Local/Surrounding Counties Genealogy Information
- Local Publications
- Legal Records
- Artifacts/Memorabilia, including glassware, clothing, books, decor, newspaper clippings, etc.
Schedule an appointment to visit the Upshur County Historical Society Document Repository via email at info@upshurcountyhistoricalsociety.com. Visit the Repository at 29 West Main Street, across from the Upshur County Courthouse, in Buckhannon. Visit the UCHS Summer Exhibit titled “From the Ice Age to the Modern Age: A Chronological Timeline of Upshur County History” at The History Center Museum at 81 West Main Street in Buckhannon Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Upshur County Public Library
The Upshur County Public Library is home to a historical collection of local newspapers. These newspaper publications are available both in microfilm and print, and a collection of both local history and family genealogical books.
The library also provides resources for patrons to perform obituary searches, but an exact date of death is required to perform the search. Additionally, a $10 donation via money order made payable to the Upshur County Public Library is required to perform each obituary search. Patrons: please note the donation is not refundable.
The following publications are available for research at the UCPL:
- The Record Delta from 1985 to the present is available in hard copy. Issues from 1984 of the Record Delta are available on microfilm.
- The Republican Delta is available on microfilm from September 8, 1961 to March 12, 1977.
- The Buckhannon Record is available on microfilm from September 1, 1939 to December 31, 1968.
Plan a visit to the Upshur County Public Library at 1150 Route 20 South Road in Buckhannon. Questions about resources available to you at UCPL? Call the front desk at 304-473-4219. Follow UCPL on Facebook for information family-friendly events, the summer reading program and so much more!
Family History Center of the Buckhannon Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Buckhannon Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers the public a variety of resources for family genealogy within their Family History Department. Patrons have free access to Ancestory.com, military records and similar documents. A limited library of various books that provide information about West Virginia’s important figures, cemetery records and personal family histories are also available. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own computers or tablets to record their search results as the Center awaits new computers.
Plan a visit to the Family History Center at 179 S. Kanawha Street in Buckhannon every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. However, other hours can be arranged by appointment by reaching out to Ilene Bennett, a Family History Consultant of the Center, at 304-613-0649.
Central West Virginia Genealogy and History Library
The Central West Virginia Genealogy and History Library is located within a former grade school in Horner, West Virginia. This library is operated by the Hacker’s Creek Pioneer Descendants, Inc., a nonprofit organization founded by descendants of Hacker’s Creek settlers. This organization is home to historical information and artifacts while serving Lewis County and beyond.
Artifact categories available at HCPD include, but are not limited to:
- Antiques
- Artwork
- Awards
- Clothing
- Collectables
- Portraits
Opportunities to study family genealogy are available to patrons via biographies, cemetery records, life summaries, surname searches and other research methods. With over 9,000 items in their collection, HCPD is home to great amounts of local knowledge and history.
Patrons can visit HCPD Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 45 Abbotts Run Road in Horner, West Virginia. However, other hours can be arranged by appointment by phone at 304-269-7091. Follow the Hacker’s Creek Pioneer Descendants on Facebook to learn more about this organization and their offerings for patrons of all ages. See the HCPD online museum on their website.
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Begin your journey back in time to rediscover your family’s roots and history today with the help of these entities. Learn more about Upshur County history at the Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 14 East Main Street in Buckhannon. Follow the Upshur County Visitors Center on Facebook for regular updates on events, newsletters, local businesses and more.
