The WV GeoExplorer Project seeks to integrate Geographical Information Systems (GIS) into the study of local history and to provide research tools to academics, other professionals, students, and the general public. Although Jefferson County, WV is the geographic focus of this endeavor, the project is structured so that it can be expanded to include other areas if interest and resources develop. The project spans the time period from 1700 to 1900 and work is underway to digitize and make available sources of historical information. These sources include:

* Graphic images (photographs, maps, and facsimiles of primary and secondary sources)
* Relational databases containing census information and other data generated at the federal, state, and local level
* Full text databases and other textual sources containing various material of interest.

Project Meetings
Project meeting are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at the Shepherd University Byrd Center for Legislative Studies, Shepherdstown, WV. Meetings are open to the public.

Volunteer Opportunities Available
Volunteers are needed to perform research, transcription, mapping, programming, and a variety of other tasks. If you or your organization would like to participate in the WV GeoExplorer Project, contact Bill Theriault, at wmtheriault@myactv.net.

(For a more complete description of the WV GeoExplorer Project click here)

JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORY SOURCES
County Facts
Date of Formation: 1801
Named: For Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and 3rd President.
County Seat: Charles Town
Sources

How and Where To Look It Up (html version)
RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHING THE HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
William D. Theriault, Ph.D.

How and Where To Look It Up (.pdf)
RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHING THE HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
William D. Theriault, Ph.D.

History of Eastern Jefferson County (html version)
William D. Theriault, Ph.D.

History of Eastern Jefferson County (pdf version )
William D. Theriault, Ph.D.

History of Shannondale Springs (html version)
William D. Theriault, Ph.D.

History of Shannondale Springs (pdf version - 20.5 MB)
William D. Theriault, Ph.D.

Julia Davis: A Literary Biography (html version)
William D. Theriault, Ph.D.

Julia Davis: A Literary Biography (.pdf - 11.1 MB)
William D. Theriault, Ph.D.

Books
Account Book, Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1826-1868. MS 79-63.

Account Book of R. Rion Lucas, Jefferson County, West Virginia, 1871. MS 79-64.

Ambler, Charles Henry. "West Virginia Forty-Niners." West Virginia History, Charleston, West Virginia, 1941-1942. Arc 1. 4:3.

Bates, Robert Lee. . Middleway, A Study in Social History 1949-1950. Arc 1. 4:11.

_______________. The Story of Smithfield (Middleway), Jefferson County, West Virginia. New York, Endicott, 1958. 975.499 B329.

Bushong, Millard Kessler. The History of Jefferson County, West Virginia. Charlestown, West Virginia, Jefferson Publishing Company, 1941. 975.499 B979.

Cartmell, Thomas Kemp. Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants. Winchester, Virginia, Eddy Press Corporation, 1909. 975.59 C327.

Chew, Roger Preston. Military Operations in Jefferson County, Virginia (and West Virignia) 1861-1865. Charlestown, West Virginia, Farmers Advocate Print, 1911. 973.73 C259.

Comstock, Jim. Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia. Richwood, West Virginia, 1973. 975.4003 H259 v.8.
Dandridge, Danske Bedinger. Danske Bedinger Dadridge Papers, 1887-1901. MS 80-133.

Fairbairn, Charlotte Judd. The Washington Homes of Jefferson County, West Virginia.

Ranson, West Virginia, Whitney and White, n.d. 917.5499 F163.

Faulkner, Charles James. Cash Book, Charles James Faulkner, Martinsburg, West Virginia, November 1848-June 1860. MS 79-65.

Hammann, Conrad C. A History of Halltown Paperboard Company: Site of the Area's and West Virginia Oldest Continuous Industry. s.l., s.n., 1984. 676.288 H224.

Jefferson and Berkeley County N.A.A.C.P. An Annotated Narrative of the African-American Community in Jefferson County, WV. s.l. s.n., 1992. R305.896 G299.

Jefferson County Historical Society. Between the Shenandoah and the Potomac: Historic Homes of Jefferson County, West Virginia. Charles Town, West Virginia, Jefferson County Historical Society, 1990. 917.5499 J45.

____________________________. Jefferson County Historical Society Magazine. Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 1935-. Per.
Jefferson County Sequi-Centennial, Inc. The Saga of Jefferson County...Her Place in History... Ranson, West Virginia, Whitney and White, 1951. 975.499 J45 Pam.

Kenamond, Alva Dayne. Prominent Men of Shepherdstown During Its First 200 Years. n.p., 1963.

League of Women Voters. Jefferson County, West Virginia, Know Your County. n.p., 1966. 917.499 J45l.

Mastin, William. Ledger, William Mastin, Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, 1816- 1830. MS 79-69.

Norris, J. History of the Lower Shenandoah Valley Counties of Frederick, Berkeley, Jefferson and Clark.... Chicago, Illinois, A. Warner, 1890. 975.59 N856.

Phillips, Edward Hamilton. The Transfer of Jefferson and Berkeley Counties From Virginia to West Virginia. n.p., 1949. 975.499 P558.

Sutterfield, Diana. Shepherdstown Sketchbook. Hagerstown, Maryland, Hagerstown Bookbinding and Printing Company, 1976. 917.5499 S967.

Theriault, William D. A History of Eastern Jefferson County, West Virginia. Bakerton, West Virginia, Jefferson County Oral and Visual History, n.d. 975.499 T399.

Thompson, Michael D. Calendar and Index to Recorded Survey Plats in Jefferson County, West Virginia (Virginia) Courthouse, 1801-1901. Charles Town, West Virginia, Jefferson County Historical Society, 1984. 333.3 T474.

Thurston, Mynna. Historical Places at the Gateway of the Shenandoah Valley in Jefferson County, West Virginia. Shepherdstown, West Virginia, n.p., 1929. 917.5499 T531h.

______________. Historical Tours of Jefferson County, West Virginia. n.p, n.d. 917.5499 T531t Pam.

United States Congress. Transfer of Counties of West Virginia. s.l. n.p., 1866. 975.4 U58 Pam.

Newspaper Clippings
"128 Years. 15 Miles Later, Gap Exists in VA., WV Border," Charleston Gazette, 3-25- 1991.
"150 Years of History & Progress," Jefferson Republican, 9-20-1951.
"A Famous American Tree," Piedmont Herald, 8-8-1935.
"A Tour Through History," Charleston Gazette, 5-1962.
"Badger Celebrates 100 Years," Martinsburg Journal, 2-16-1992.
"Bakerton Marking Centennial...," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 6-8-1989
“Bolivar Sets Namesake Celebration," Martinsburg Journal, 7-9-1983.
"Charm and History, Shepherdstown Library...," Martinsburg Journal, 11-3-1995.
"Col. Wm. Morgan Returned to Keep Promise," Jefferson Republican, 4-25-1948.
"Donald Rentch, Former Spirit Editor Dead at 75," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 10-19- 1989.
"Eastern Panhandle Tours Features Historic Homes," Charleston Gazette, 4-21- 1991.
"Eastern Panhandle Contributes Beauty Spots Attract Tourists," Clarksburg Exponent, 6- 23-1935
“Facts Are Cited to Prove Rumsey Invented Steamboat," Charleston Gazette, 12-5- 1937.
"Fair Beginnings Were Humble," Martinsburg Journal, 8-25-1994.
"Harpers Ferry, Dedicate Stone Luke Quinn in Bolivar," Shepherdstown Independent, 5- 8-1940.
"Harpers Ferry Citizens Meet...," Shepherdstown Independent, 11-30-1939.
"Harpers Ferry Wins Battle to Keep Old-Style Street Lights," Parkersburg News, 5-4- 1997.
"Historian's Storytelling Keeps Shepherdstown Heritage," Martinsburg Journal, 11-30- 1996.
"Historic Potomac River Dam Near Shepherdstown Undergoing Repairs," Register, 8- 27-1936.
"Historic Shannondale Once Famed Summer Resort," Shepherdstown Register, 8-22- 1940.
"Historical Landmark, Shepherdstown," Martinsburg Journal, 1-4-1996.
"Historical Hot Spot, John Brown's Story...," Rochester NY Sunday Gazette, 11-7- 1993.
"Historical and Industrial Edition," Spirit of Jefferson, 7-1926.
"History of Jefferson Guards Presented to UDC Chapter," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 4-26-1979.
"Jefferson Community Center at Barbane," Martinsburg Journal, 10-15-1964.
"Jefferson County Historical Magazine," Independent, 12-2-1959.
"Jefferson County History Put on Web," Martinsburg Journal, 1-14-1998.
"Jefferson's Blakeley House Tour," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 4-11-1985.
"Jewel on Potomac Bluffs, Bavarian Inn Celebrates 20 Years," Martinsburg Journal, 8- 23-1997.
"John Allstadt's Home Has Been Restored," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 5-15- 1996.
"Kearneysville History Note," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 5-11-1989.
"Lincoln's Assassination Resulted Federal Execution Cap. Jn. Yates Beall," Gazette, 11- 17-1929.
"McMurran Hall in Shepherdstown Annual House Garden Tour," Martinsburg Journal, 4-6-1973.
"Melvin T. Strider Co. County's Oldest Bus. 125th Year...," Spirit of Jefferson, 5-15- 1975.
"Memorial to Bolivar in Namesake Town," Pittsburgh Press, 8-19-1956.
"Museum Mourns Its Mentor, John Ingalls," Martinsburg Journal, 2-15-1996.
"Mystery Borders on Being Solved," Charleston Gazette, 12-18-1991.
"Neighbors Fired Up Over House," Martinsburg Journal, 1-5-1995.
"New Tomato Industry Has Impact on County," Spirit of Jefferson Farmer's Advocate, 9-5-1985.
"Old Courthouse a Step Back in Time," Spirit of Jefferson Farmer's Advocate, 3-2- 1989.
"Oldest Chapter of Odd Fellows in WV...," Martinsburg Journal, 12-28-1997.
"Philip P. Steptoe Bus Historic Country Home," Clarksburg Exponent, 8-1-1930.
"Photo Copy of Confederate Veterans Reunion," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 10-16- 1986.
"Pre-Civil War Jail Being Restored by Bolivar Officials," Advocate, 8-9-1967.
"Rare Items in the Blakeley Gallery, Ranson," Jefferson Republican, 10-12-1950.
"Resurrecting a Gothic Gem," Charleston Gazette, 3-26-1989.
"Shenandoah Quarry, Now One County's Top Indust..," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 8- 21-1975.
"Shepherdstown Strolls Down Memory Lane," Martinsburg Journal, 4-28-1997.
"Shepherdstown's Most Destructive Conflagration," Spirit of Jefferson-Advocate, 10-2- 1986.
"Simplified Highway Map of Jefferson County, WV," Ranson Chamber of Commerce, 1951.
"The Yellow Brick Bank Rekindles Interest in Itself...," Martinsburg Journal, 9-3- 1997.
"Traveller's Rest, Home of General Horatio Gates, Kearneysville, WV," n.p. n.d.
"Two High Treason Trials at Charles Town," Piedmont Herald, 8-8-1935.
"U.S. Steel to Close Moler Stone Plant," Martinsburg Journal, 6-28-1979.
"What's Happening in Tri-State-Area-1915," Weirton Herald Star, 3-27-1994.
"Where Washington Once Attended Lodge Session," Charleston Daily Mail, 6-13- 1937.
"Where the Steamboat Was Invented," Piedmont Herald, 8-8-1935.
"Witchcraft in West Virginia, Polly Sullivan Legend," Grant County Press, 3-28- 1929.
'Black and Professional, Two New Panhandle Voices," Martinsburg Journal, 8-24- 1997.
'The Famous Washington Masonic Cave in Jefferson," Independent Shepherdstown, 7- 18-1934.

more coming soon!