WIRT COUNTY, WV HISTORY AND LOOKUP
County History Books
*None Listed
Wirt County, West Virginia: A Genealogical Overview
As one of the smaller counties in West Virginia, Wirt County reflects the story of frontier settlement, natural resource development, and rural Appalachian life. Nestled along the Little Kanawha River, it has historically been a region of farming, river trade, and oil and gas extraction. For genealogists, Wirt County offers valuable resources including courthouse records, land transactions, church registers, and family histories that trace both early settlers and later industrial workers.
I. County Formation and Evolution
Wirt County was created during the early development of western Virginia counties before West Virginia achieved statehood.
- 1848: County Formed: Wirt County was officially established on January 19, 1848.
- Parent Entity: It was formed from parts of Jackson and Wood Counties in Virginia (prior to the creation of West Virginia in 1863).
- Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained stable since its creation, though nearby counties continued to develop as the population of the region grew.
- Name Origin: The county was named in honor of William Wirt, U.S. Attorney General and noted author.
- County Seat History: The town of Elizabeth has served as the county seat since its establishment and remains the county’s center of government.
II. Settlement and Early History
- Early Inhabitants: The region was used by Native American tribes, particularly Shawnee and others who traveled along the Little Kanawha River and surrounding valleys for hunting and trade.
- Pioneer Settlement (late 1700s–early 1800s): The first European-American settlers were largely of Scots-Irish and German descent, migrating from Virginia and Pennsylvania. Farming and river commerce played an important role in community life.
- County Development (19th Century): Following its formation, Wirt County became known for river transport, farming, and the discovery of oil and gas.
- Key Historical Events:
- Civil War (1861–1865): Residents of Wirt County, like much of western Virginia, were divided in loyalty, though the region became part of the new state of West Virginia in 1863.
- Oil and Gas Boom (mid-to-late 19th century): The discovery of oil in the Burning Springs area in 1860 marked one of the first oil booms in the United States, attracting workers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
- Immigration: The population remained largely Anglo-American, though later industrial workers included migrants from other parts of Appalachia and Europe.
III. Genealogical Records and Resources
- County Courthouse: The Wirt County Clerk’s Office in Elizabeth, WV, maintains birth, marriage, death, probate, and land records dating back to the county’s creation in 1848.
- Vital Records:
- Birth, Marriage, and Death Records: West Virginia began statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths in 1863, with earlier records sometimes preserved at the county level. Researchers should also consult church registers and cemetery records for pre-1863 documentation.
- Essential Records and Archives:
- West Virginia State Archives (Charleston, WV): Preserves census records, land grants, court documents, and military records relevant to Wirt County.
- West Virginia Division of Culture and History: Offers access to digitized vital records and genealogical materials.
- Church Records: Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian congregations in the county have long-standing registers of baptisms, marriages, and burials.
- Libraries and Societies:
- Wirt County Historical Society: Maintains collections of manuscripts, photographs, and genealogical resources connected to local families.
- West Virginia Genealogical Society: Provides access to regional research tools and publications for Wirt County studies.
- Bordering Jurisdictions:
- Wood County (northwest)
- Ritchie County (north)
- Calhoun County (east)
- Roane County (south)
- Jackson County (west)