Pamela-- If you live in the vicinity of a Mormon Family History Center (hopefully one with congenial hours--they vary a good deal), you can order (borrow) the relevant will book on microfilm for $3.25, for viewing in the center. You can also order deeds on microfilm, which might show you whether your ancestor owned land (order the deed index first). There are a lot of Berkeley Co. records available on microfilm through the LDS--see http://www.familysearch.com/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitydetails&subject=189871&subject_disp=West_Virginia,_Berkeley&columns=*,180,0 (if this link is too long, try http://www.familysearch.com and click on Library and then Catalog). This is ultimately the cheapest (and to my mind most enjoyable) option, because you can usually find a number of records of interest on one microfilm. The Berkeley Co. courthouse does not have the resources to assist in genealogical quests (at least so I was told a few years ago), and they generally forward such requests to Don Wood at the Berkeley Co. Historical Society--he is very knowledgeable and I found him very helpful. The Berkeley Co. Hist. Soc. has a lot of genealogical resources--see http://www.bchs.org/genealogy.html A third option is to request a copy of the will and any other specific document (according to Ross Johnston's index *WV Estate Settlements* Frederick H. also had an estate account dated 9/17/1783) from West Virginia Archives. They charge a research fee of $10 which covers up to 10 (or? can't remember) pages of photocopies--copies over that cost 25 cents each or something--I don't remember the details, but they, too, were helpful, swift, and professional. See http://www.wvculture.org/history/ (it's a very interesting website, too). Good luck! Martha Grenzeback [email protected] At 01:43 PM 10-04-2002 -0400, [email protected] wrote: >I just found some information on line about my ancestor Frederick Hershfield/ >Harshfield. He was from germany. Wife named Abulan. He died in Berkeley >County. His will was proved 21 April 1778. Will Book 1, page 125. > >How would one get a copy of that will? Are there books showing if he owned >land there? I am curious to know what part of Berkeley Co he resided in. How >can I find that out? His son Henry was listed on ancestry.com as in the Rev >War with Geo Washington at Valley Forge under the command of Capt Swansey. >Notes say he left Berkeley Co VA in 1792. Why? Did they offer soldiers land >in the "west?" > >thanks, >pam > > >==== WVBERKEL Mailing List ==== >BERKELEY County List Administrator: ><=<[email protected]>=> Martha Grenzeback [email protected]
> Don Wood at the Berkeley Co. Historical > Society--he is very knowledgeable and I found him very helpful. The > Berkeley Co. Hist. Soc. has a lot of genealogical resources I will second that! Don Wood knows more about history/genealogy in Berkeley County than you would think is humanly possible. While about 75% of my research is elsewhere, I live in Berkeley County and have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Don in person on numerous occasions. While Martinsburg Berkeley County Public Library is an excellent library in general (I work for a library automation company), the genealogy resources are ... sparse, but the historical society, just a few blocks away, more than makes up for that. I've never gone to the courthouse and asked for genealogical information, so I can't speak for them. Don *************************************************** Don Silvius Co-coordinator Shenandoah County VAGenWeb <http://www.rootsweb.com/~vashenan/vashenan.html> ***************************************************