[Genealib] non contiguous counties

[Susan Scouras]

The West Virginia Archives Library collects for the whole state, but we
have a similar problem because we collect for contiguous counties of the
states along West Virginia's borders. As you stated, some of these
counties were formed from counties that are no longer contiguous, but
are the counties where the records for the time period most needed are
kept. For Virginia counties, we accept donations for all, but only
actively collect "parent" counties of counties that eventually became
part of West Virginia in 1863, and seek only records and local histories
that cover the time period before the counties separated.  There are
also some interior counties of other states that for various reasons
were points of heavy migration into West Virginia, or were adjacent to
highways and waterways that made travel in and out of West Virginia
relatively easy. Our staff has learned which of these areas over the
years are most relevant to our patrons' needs, and their recommendations
for acquistions are taken seriously.
 
I suggest you speak with the staff members who work with the public and
compile a list of the counties and regions most requested by your
patrons where your collection is non-existant or inadequate to support
their research. Locate some basic resources from these areas for the
time periods in question, and present them for consideration for
acquisition. You could try contacting the historical and genealogica
societies in those areas to see if they will send you their newsletters
and perhaps donate a few books.  Be sure to point out that the societies
may pick up some new members and book sales by advertising themselves on
your shelves, so to speak. It's also worth a shot to see if the archives
and the university library have duplicate materials they can give you.
 
Good luck,
 
Susan Scouras
Librarian
WV Archives and History Library
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV  25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
 

	

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