Randolph County was created from Harrison County in 1876, which is much earlier than the formation of West Virginia as a state. Today, Randolph county is the largest county in West Virginia, with 1040 square miles of land in modern times. The first white settlers of the county were Tygart and Files in 1753. The Shawnee Tribe had many trails through Randolph County, but there weren't many settlements in this mountainous region. It was mostly considered hunting grounds, and less of an agricultural settlement. There were many wild animals in the area, which supplied food and clothing for the early settlers. Sadly, the pioneers pushed the elk and the buffalo to extinction in Randolph County, while other animals, such as the black bear, still thrive in the area today. Tygart's Valley in Randolph County didn't attract much settlement because of the mountain barriers and the Indian threat. Despite all of this, Randolph County was formed by Virginia Assembly at the home of Benjamin Wilson in Tygart's Valley. The first session of court in Randolph County was held in a town now called Beverly, in the house of James Westfall. Overall, Randolph County was a very politically and legally active community, with many surviving court records, including probate cases and wills, including the first will ever written in Randolph County. ^[2][3][4][5]

Randolph County History Taken from West Virginia Hertiage Enclyclopedia, pgs. 3951 - 3952

Parent County

1787--Randolph County was created 16 October 1787 from Harrison County.
County seat: Elkins ^[6]

Boundary Changes

See an interactive map of Randolph County boundary changes.

Record Loss

Many land records can be found from 1787 and onwards. For example, land records can be found as early as 1787 in Randolph County courthouses, because Southern society put an emphasis on owning land. Probate records, marriage records and court records can also be found as early as 1787. Birth and Death records weren't recorded until around 1856, but began in earnest in 1917. Most of the birth and death records from 1917-1921 were destroyed in a fire.

Places / Localities

Populated Places

Beverly: created December 16, 1790 by the General Assembly of the State of Virginia. ^[5]
Elkins
Harman
Huttonsville
Mill Creek
Montrose
Womelsdorf (Coalton)

Unincorporated Towns

Neighboring Counties

Resources

African American

• Heinegg, Paul. "Randolph County Personal Property Tax List, 1787-1829," Free African Americans.com. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.]
  

Census

For tips on accessing Randolph County, West Virginia census records online, see: West Virginia Census.

Join us in indexing the 1940 Census

Census available at Ancestry.com ($) years 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930. They also have indexed the 1850 Slave Schedule and the 1860 Slave Schedule. Also indexed the 1890 Veteran's Schedule.

1850 census of Randolph County, WV. Includes index. Arranged by house number and gives house and family number, names of persons in the house, ages, birthplaces, and occupations. Randolph County was part of Virginia until 1863 when it became part of West Virginia. Available in book form at the Family History Library.

1860 census of Randolph County, Virginia. Includes index. Randolph County is now part of West Virginia. Available in book form at the Family History Library.

Randolph County, WV, 1870 census. Includes index. Available in book form at the Family History Library.

Cemeteries

Randolph County, WVGenWeb~ Cemeteries

Randolph County, WV Cemeteries

Find A Grave can be searched by the name of a person or family to find where a person is buried. Usually gives birth and death dates often with a picture of the tombstone. May give obituaries, names of family members and links to their information in Find A Grave.
Find A Grave also gives a list of cemeteries in Randolph County and links to the information for the individuals buried there.

Randolph County, West Virginia cemetery pictures can be found on microfilm in the Family History Library, or available on computer in the Library.

Cemeteries or Burials by Surname ePodunk - Cemeteries
From the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).
Randolph County Cemeteries inventoried by by The Allegheny Regional Family History Society
The Political Graveyard
West Virginia Cemetery Preservation Association, Inc. - Randolph County Cemeteries
List of cemeteries currently identified by WVCPA by name, USGS quad map location, and latitude and longitude.

Church

Church List in Randolph County Townships

Baptist

Early Baptist churches (with years constituted):

1. Little Bethel (1795)^[8]
2. Valley (1806)^[8]

Randolph County fell within the bounds of the Union Association.

Presbyterian

Tygart Valley Presbyterian Church

Court

Order books, 1809-1906 available on microfilm in Family History Library.

Chancery order books : 1831-1962 available on microfilm in Family History Library.

Pleas books, 1797-1837 available on microfilm in Family History Library.

Bonds, 1880-1924 available on microfilm in Family History Library.

Minute books, 1787-1877 available on microfilm in Family History Library.

Abstracts of County Court record books, Randolph County : 1787-1817 available on microfilm in Family History Library.

Power of attorney : 1787-1808 available on microfilm in Family History Library.

Family Histories

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]

Bibliography

• [Coberly] Arthaud, John Bradley. "Dr. James Stell Coberly 18th Century Migrant from New Jersey to Virginia and Revolutionary Patriot," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 26, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1982):112-117; Vol. 26, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1982):183-189. Digital version at American Ancestors ($). FHL Book 975.5 B2vg v. 26 (1982).
• [Coberly] Harter, Mary. "James Cunningham of Western Virginia," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 29, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1985):9-16; Vol. 29, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1985):109-116. Digital version at American Ancestors ($). FHL Book 975.5 B2vg v. 29 (1985).
• [Cunningham] 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 ($). FHL Book 975.5 B2vg v. 29 (1985).
• [Cunningham] Newman, Betty Cunningham. Adam and 500 More Cunninghams of the Valley of Virginia, c.1734-c.1800. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, Inc., 2000. FHL Book 929.273 C917n.
  
• [Currance] Bosworth, Albert S. A History of Randolph County, West Virginia, from Its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time. Elkins, W. Va.: A.S. Bosworth, 1916.
• [Goff] The history and genealogy of the Nathan P. Goff family of Randolph County, West Virginia, Delaware County, Indiana, and Madison County, Iowa. Joseph P Barnes. Baker and Taylor: St. Louis, Mo. 1972.
  
• [Hart] Hammond, Cleon E. John Hart, The Biography of a Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Newfane, Vt., 1977.
• Randolph County, West Virginia, history-families available at the Family History Library. Contains a brief history of the county, businesses, churches, historical buildings and monuments, etc., and a large section of family histories, which include biographies and genealogies. Includes Index.

Land

Land book, 1802-1900 available on microfilm at Family History Library. Microfilm of original records at the State Auditor's Office, Charleston.

Deeds, 1789-1900; indexes to deeds, 1789 (1776?)-1935 available on microfilm at Family History Library. Microfilm of original records at the Monongalia County Courthouse in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Surveyors book, 1787-1859 available on microfilm at Family History Library. Microfilm of original records at the Randolph County courthouse.

Entry book, 1784-1916 available on microfilm at Family History Library. Original available on microfilm at the Randolph County Courthouse.

Local Histories

History of Randolph County From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time. Dr. A. S. Bosworth. McClain Printing Company: Parsons, W.Va., 1975.

The History of Randolph County, West Virginia: From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Embracing Records of All Leading Families, Reminiscences and Traditions. Hu Maxwell. Acme Publishing Co.: Morgantown, W.Va., 1898.

The Blackwater Chronicle: A Narrative of an Expedition into the Land of Canaan in Randolph County, Virginia. Philip Pendleton Kennedy; Timothy Sweet. West Virginia University Press: Morgantown, W.Va.. 1853.

Elkins, West Virginia: Its Past, Present, and Future. Charles J Holmes; Justin M Kunkle. McClain Printing: Parsons, W.Va. 1975.

Pioneer Index of Randolph County, West Virginia. Lauren d'Ablemont Ragland. Seneca Publishers: Bowden, W.Va. 2007.

Historick Beverly, Official Guidebook: Containing a Brief History of the City and Descriptions of Twenty-seven Shops, Dwelling Houses, Publick and Historick Sites, Illustrated: Also a Guide-map: Randolph County, West Virginia. Glenn H Phillips. Randolph County Historical Society: Beverly, W.Va. 1975.

Maps

Map of 1850 Virginia and West Virginia
David Rumsey Map Collection can be searched to find maps for locality.

Map of Historic West Virginia: can search each 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 Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census]. 1841. Digital versions at U.S. Census Bureau and Google Books. 1967 reprint: FHL Book 973 X2pc 1840. [See Virginia, Western District, Randolph County on page 136.]

• 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.]
• Record book : 1844-1866 available on microfilm at the Family History Library. Microfilm of original at the county courthouse, Elkins.
  
• Discharge, 1917-1918 available on microfilm at the Family History Library. Microfilm of original records at the Randolph County courthouse.
  
• The Soldiery of West Virginia. Virgil A Lewis. Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1978. Gives available lists of rosters from French and Indian War, Mexican War, Civil War, Indian Wars, Lord Dunmore's War, Revolutionary War, and War of 1812.

War of 1812

Randolph County men served in the 107th Regiment.^[9]

Watkins, Raymond W, Old military burials, West Virginia  cemetery (Falls Church, Virginia, 1987)

Civil War

Regiments. Service men in Randolph County, West Virginia served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Randolph County, West Virginia:

- 5th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate).

- 5th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (12 months, 1861-62) (Mullins') (Confederate). Company G (Randolph Cavalry).^[10]

- 19th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company I.^[11]

- 20th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company C.^[12].

- 31st Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company F (Jacob Currence's Company).^[13]

Records and histories are available, including:

• West Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865

Civil War Battle

The following Civil War battle was fought in Randolph County.

• July 11, 1861 = Rich Mountain[14]

Map showing Civil War battles in West Virginia.

Naturalization

• West Virgina, Naturalization Records, 1814-1991

Newspapers

The Randolph Enterprise was the first newspaper published in Randolph County, with the first issue appearing in May 1874. The first editor was Geo P. Sargent.

The Randolph Review was the second newspaper published in Randolph County in 1882. The founders were J.L. and A.S. Bosworth, who after six months bought the Randolph Enterprise and sold the Review plant to the town of Huttonsville. ^[15]

The Inter Mountain

Probate

Randolph County, West Virginia Will Books 1787 - 1969

West Virginia Will Books

Copy of index to wills in relation to appraisments, sale bills, and settlements, Randolph County : 1787-1872 available on microfilm at Family History Library. Microfilm copy of material in the W. Guy Tetrick collection, Clarksburg, West Virginia, prepared by the Historical Records Survey.

Wills, 1787-1969 available on microfilm at Family History Library. Microfilm of original records at the Randolph County courthouse.

Taxation

How can Virginia tax lists help me?

• [1787] Schreiner-Yantis, Netti and Florene Speakman Love. The 1787 Census of Virginia: An Accounting of the Name of Every White Male Tithable Over 21 Years, the Number of White Males Between 16 & 21 Years, the Number of Slaves over 16 & Those Under 16 Years, Together with a Listing of Their Horses, Cattle & Carriages, and Also the Names of All Persons to Whom Ordinary Licenses and Physician's Licenses Were Issued. 3 vols. Springfield, Va.: Genealogical Books in Print, 1987. FHL. [The source of this publication is the 1787 personal property tax list. Randolph County is included in Vol. 2.]
• [1787-1829] Heinegg, Paul. "Randolph County Personal Property Tax List, 1787-1829," Free African Americans.com. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.]

• [1790, 1800] Images of the 1790 and 1800 Personal Property Tax Lists of Randolph County, Virginia  (now West Virginia) are available to browse online, courtesy: Binns Genealogy.
• [1815] Ward, Roger D. 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer). 6 vols. Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., 1997-2000. Available at FHL Book 975 E4w v. 6. [The source for this publication is the 1815 land tax. Randolph County is included in Vol. 6.]
• Land records, 1805-1813 available on microfilm at Family History Library. Microfilm of original at the county courthouse, Elkins.
  
• Personal property tax lists, 1787-1850 available on microfilm at Family History Library. Microfilm of original records at the Virginia State Library and Archives in Richmond, Virginia.
  

Vital Records

West Virginia Vital Records - Birth - Death - Marriages

Vital Records

Birth

Birth records, 1853-1969 on Family Search Catalog. Microfilm of original records at the Randolph County Courthouse.

Births, Randolph County : 1853-1859, 1861, 1865-1899 on Family Search Catalog. Microfilm of material at the West Virginia University Library, Morgantown, prepared by the Historical Records Survey.

Births, Randolph County : 1853-1899 on Family Search Catalog. Microfilm copy of material in the W. Guy Tetrick collection, Clarksburg, West Virginia, prepared by the Historical Records Survey.

Marriage

Marriages, 1787-1969; index to marriages, 1787-1969 on Family Search Catalog. Microfilm of original records at the Randolph County Courthouse.

Marriage bonds, Randolph County: 1787-1879 on Family Search Catalog. Microfilm of material at the West Virginia University Library, Morgantown, prepared by the Historical Records Survey.
Randolph County, West Virginia Marriage Records

Death

Death records, 1853-1969 on Family Search Catalog. Microfilm of original records at the Randolph County Courthouse.

Societies and Libraries

Family History Centers

Introduction to LDS Family History Centers

Elkins West Virginia Family History Center

Randolph County History Societies

Allegheny Regional Family History Society

P O Box 1804

Elkins, West Virginia 26241

Web Sites

Family History Library Catalog 

Cyndislist
Randolph County Genealogy Project
Randolph County, WV Genealogy Forum
Randolph County WVGenWeb
Randolph County, West Virginia Microfilms at the Library of Virginia
Randolph County Modern Homepage
Beverly, West Virginia Historical Homepage

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References

1. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Randolph County, West Virginia. Page 745 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
2. ↑ Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources. Edited by Alice Eichholz, Ph.D C.G. Ancestry Incorporated: Salt Lake City, Utah, 1989.
3. ↑ Handy Book for Genealogists: United States. George B. Everton. Everton Publishers: Logan, Utah, 1991.
4. ↑ The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy (3rd Edition). Val D. Greenwood. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.: Baltimore, Maryland, 2000.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} History of Randolph County From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time. Dr. A. S. Bosworth. McClain Printing Company: Parsons, West Virginia, 1975.
6. ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
7. ↑ http://www.wvgenweb.org/randolph/
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Robert Baylor Semple and George William Beale, A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia (1810; reprint, Richmond, Va.: Pitt and Dickinson, 1894), 434. Digital version at Google Books.
9. ↑ Stuart Lee Butler, A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812 (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., 1988), 182. FHL Book 975.5 M2bs.
10. ↑ Robert J. Driver, 5th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1997). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 127.
11. ↑ Richard L. Armstrong, 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1994). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 101.
12. ↑ Richard L. Armstrong, 19th and 20th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1994). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 101.
13. ↑ John M. Ashcraft, 31st Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1988). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 48.
14. ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State, (accessed 20 September 2012)
15. ↑ History of Randolph County From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time. Dr. A. S. Bosworth. McClain Printing Company: Parsons, W.Va., 1975.

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