KYOWVA Genealogical and Historical Society
Serving the Tri-state region of Eastern Kentucky, Southern Ohio and Western West Virginia
Founded
in 1978, the KYOWVA Genealogical and Historical Society is a dynamic and growing
membership dedicated to the collection and preservation of the genealogy and
history of Cabell County, West Virginia and the surrounding area we serve.
The Society is located in the heart of the tri-state region containing the
counties of Northeastern Kentucky, Southern Ohio, and Western West Virginia.
Our meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the third Tuesday of each month in our library room at the Second Presbyterian Church, 901 Jefferson Avenue, Huntington, West Virginia. There are no meetings held during the summer months of July and August although our library maintains regular library hours.
Annual membership dues are $15.00 per calendar year from January 1 to December 31 of each year. Paid members will receive the quarterly KYOWVA Newsletter and have free access to the research and library facilities. Non-members may also use the library but are asked to make a small cash donation toward the maintenance of the facility.
President's Message
Several members have had a very successful spring of cemetery hunting (even thought a couple of snakes joined us). While in the cemeteries – we photograph, measure and map when possible each of the graves and stones. By looking into land records, we can sometimes determine the earliest land owner that mentions a cemetery in their deed. Other times the name of the cemetery will remain a mystery. In the fall issue we hope to profile some of these cemeteries. Our results will be available at the KYOWVA library on CD as well.
KYOWVA is beginning to see many visitors from out of state, for which we are thankful. We have several local members who have been able to come in as well. We are always happy to have you.
Please send in your stories for the Cabell County History Book, Volume II by July 1st. If you know of someone who contributed to the book last time and is willing to contribute a story or two please let them know. If you need help writing your story also let us know, we can help.
We have several new donations of photographs on CD, obituaries of Wayne County (WV) and several new books. We have purchased some new Boone County publications and will be updated our vital records by purchasing items for counties that have gaps. I purchased and donated Michael Tabor’s new book Sunset on Tabor Fork the history of the right fork of Camp Creek at East Lynn, Wayne County, West Virginia which profiles the Watts and Tabor families and has a great history of coal mining in that area and the part that the Fry family had in the mines. Lots of great pictures and maps.
We urgently need volunteers to man the library once a month in order to give some of the regular volunteers and Anne a much needed break. A couple of hours would free up time for cataloging.
We do not meet in July or August, but will look forward to seeing you in September at our picnic. Friends and family are welcome. Again, it will be at the Harveytown Park on the third Tuesday of September.
Please visit the library. We have worked hard to provide this wonderful resource place for your research. Also please support our speakers by attending the meetings October through June.
Enjoy your ancestor hunt! Let us know if we can help. We have volunteers that may be able to help for a small donation.
Debbie Campbell, President
What's New at KYOWVA
We have added an Announcements Page for information on Reunions and other happenings of interest in our area. Do you know of an event we would all be interested in? Email us at KYOWVA and we will put your announcement up for the world to see.
Members
Anne Shuff and Easter Miller were among the 43 History Hero Award winners
honored at a ceremony during the West Virginia History Day program on March
5 in Charleston, West Virginia. The awards were presented during a ceremony
in the Cultural Center on the grounds of the West Virginia State Capitol in
Charleston, West Virginia.
Springtime means cemetery hunting. We have several grave sites to explore in the next few months and will be giving you updates in the future. If you know of a cemetery in the local Huntington area that has not been read or recorded, please give us a call. The Oaklawn Cemetery survey is nearing completion and will soon be ready for printing.
A full size color copier was donated to KYOWVA by a member along with a laser printer. Both of our library computers now have internet access. Wireless internet access is also available for those of you who bring your own laptops.
Update your browsers! We now have a new website address www.kyowva.org. We want to thank KYOWVA member Chuck Young for securing the domain name and making it available to us. Once the remaining details are worked out, current email accounts will be transferred to the new server, but until then continue sending your email to kyowvagen@yahoo.com The new website address is easier to remember and will better identify us on the web. The old web address will remain in effect for a while until everyone has had a chance to get used to the new one. We are excited about this change and the many possibilities it opens up for us.
We are currently wrapping up the 120th Militia Book and the Oaklawn Cemetery Book. Stay tuned for the release dates of these two books.
We are will accepting your stories and family histories for to the 200th Anniversary of Cabell County History Book up until July 1st. Your submissions need not be limited to one person, family, or event. You may make multiple submissions for any person or family lived or worked in Cabell County during its past history. We will are also beginning work on the Second Edition of the History of Owens Illinois. Again, if you or a family member worked at Owens Illinois or had dealings with the plant, we would like to hear your story. If you can help with or contribute to these publications, please contact the Library or email your story to kyowvagen@yahoo.com. Be sure and indicate "Cabell County History" or Owens Illinois" on the subject line of your email so we will know which project your submission is for.
KYOWVA Membership - "The Real Deal"
Annual memberships are $15.00 for the January through December calendar
year for individuals or family members residing in the same household.
Included is a subscription to the quarterly KYOWVA newsletter and free use
of the KYOWVA Library. Membership is not required to attend our open
meetings, programs or participate in other Society functions and projects.
However, only members may vote on questions presented at our business
meetings. For your convenience, a printable application form is available
here.
The membership term is January 1st through December 31st of each year.
Renewals are due by January 30 of the following year. You may renew by
mailing your check for $15.00 payable to KYOWVA Genealogical and
Historical Society, to KYOWVA, PO Box 1254, Huntington, WV 25714-1254.
Write your name and "Membership Renewal" on the memo line of the check.