I received a request for some guidance in finding a family farm.  I got lucky and found the location within a few clicks.    However, before looking at the map, I set finger to keyboard (use to be pen to paper) to come up with some guidelines of how to look at what you know and then conduct a systematic search to find the location.     All of the maps are displayed for Harrison County about 1910.  These are not government maps.  They were made by a private entity to support the gas exploration boom at the time.  So the accuracy and completeness is certainly questionable.   If you have looked the family up in a census, check their location regarding the magisterial district.  The districts as of 1886 are listed on an adjacent map.  The link is right above the map grid listed in big black letters “Harrison County Districts Map”.  Click on the blue letters “Map”.   http://www.wvhcgs.com/   If you have physically been to the location, you might recall a road or community near the location or on the way to the location.  That would be another clue on finding them.  Maybe your parents took you there as a child.  Also remember towns that you did not go through or bridges that you did not cross to get there.  That will suggest that the road turned off before you got to some recognizable landmark such as a train track.  Are there any relatives still living who might have visited there?  Ask them.   The watershed creek draining the area is also a clue to finding the location.  In the early years, the highest ridges were somewhat of a barrier to transportation.  There was more of a trend to stay within their same valley to go to church, to go to the local store, etc.  Climbing a steep road to get over a ridge in the winter or in wet weather was a lot more of a challenge before there were paved roads.   There are a series of creeks or runs draining into the West Fork from the west.  From Clarksburg south, these are Davisson Run, Coburns Creek, Sycamore Creek, Buffalo Creek, Isaac Creek, Two Lick Creek, Kincheloe Creek, etc.  These were never big enough to factor into transportation.  However, the roads which paralleled these naturally became known as the same name such as Davisson Run Road paralleling Davisson Run.  So, that is another approach to take.  What was the drainage named?  What valley were they in?  That should identify the road.   Churches?  Cemeteries?  Where were they married?  Where were they buried?  These were likely closer to where they lived.  Schools may be another clue.  The old Sycamore School where Sycamore Creek runs into the West Fork has been preserved as a private home.   There are many little towns (really wide spot in the road) such Kinchelo, Benson, Big Isaac, Tichenal, Jarvisville, etc.  Many of these were early post offices.  Some will appear on early census.  Do you have any early correspondence which might give you a clue as to where they lived?  There may be an address on the envelope.  They may mention taking livestock to sell in one of these little towns. .    You may have some really good clues as to where they lived already in some of your research.      So, that is my list of suggestions on how to find your family on the WV Farm Line Maps. Census district Memory of living people Church or cemetery name Drainage creek or road name Post office?  Old letters? School   Good luck.    Don’t give up or suffer in silence.    One of the benefits of being part of such a friendly, helpful group as the HCGS is that there is a good chance that someone else knows the answer to your question or can give you a good start on finding the answer.    Dave Kuhl 210 Glen Eagles Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564-9041 e-mail: dbkuhl@bellsouth.net