Series 2: Original Materials

Scope and content:

Series 2 consists of 150 boxes, one wrapped package of county court papers, primarily case papers and public records; as well as various public and private record books (one box, and two unboxed ledgers). The case papers in boxes 1-17 have been indexed alphabetically, chronologically, and by subject. This card index can be found on microfilm reels HAM 30-34, or upon request. Case papers include civil and criminal cases at the County, Circuit, and State level. The case papers are still in their original wrappers, which include basic information on the case, including names, dates, and charges, but not much more. There is generally more information for county level cases than other levels. Public records are primarily financial records including taxes, settlements, and sales, but there are also some birth, marriage, and death records, estates, deeds, and election records. There are also several boxes of records of the Hampshire County Department of the West Virginia Relief Administration, which include work injury compensation reports (boxes 75-77); public assistance checks (boxes 80-81); and administrative financial records (box 150). The work injury compensation reports include basic information on the circumstances of the injury, the type of work, pay, and general demographic information (name, age, race, marital status, etc.). These materials are restricted for general use in compliance with HIPAA standards, but researchers may request access to use the records for broad, summary analysis.

Some highlights for this series include bills for the board (1833, env. 48); a 1736 bond from Jonathan Seaman to John Woodson for the amount of forty pounds in either silver or gold Pennsylvania money (env. 2); an order for militia to appear on parade (18--, env. 53); and accounts of the jailor, including for keeping enslaved persons in jail (1830, env. 46 and 1849, env. 62).

Cases reporting injuries at work, with basic demographic information and minimal details about the incident. The forms are in folders labeled with names and dates.

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Parent restrictions:

For materials in boxes 1-17, 24-27, 31-32, 35, 38, 41-42, 44-45, 105-107, 112, 117-118, 132, and 145-149, and items 11, 12, 75, 76, 233 and 236, researchers should use microfilm.

The employee personal injury compensation records in boxes 75-77 are restricted until 2034-2035, 100 years from the date of creation in 1934-1935, unless an individual grants permission to access their record or the WVRHC is given proof of death that occurred in excess of 50 years prior to the date of request. Researchers collecting summary data may submit an Access Request Form.

Parent terms of access:
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

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