Formal adoptions, as we have them today, were just about non-existent in the 19th century, at least in WV. The closest thing you will find in Pendleton County are the records when a child was "bound out" to work for a man/family in exchange for learning a trade. These records appear in the court minute book. Nedra Nedra Dickman Brill, Certified Genealogist brillnd@pacifier.com Historian, Henckel Family National Association Coordinator Pendleton County, WV, wvpendle-l@rootsweb.com