Boone County Genealogical Society

07/23/2026

07/23/2026

Did you miss "Always Free: Mountaineers in the Revolution"? You can watch all episodes now with WVPB Passport!

Always Free chronicles the events leading up to and through the Revolutionary War in the western counties of Colonial Virginia that would eventually form the state of West Virginia. Historical moments like the Battle of Point Pleasant and the Bee Line March to Boston unfold over four episodes that explore the people, myths, and epic battles that forge the spirit of the Mountain State.

Learn more at wvpublic.org. 📺️

07/23/2026

MADISON — At the Tuesday, June 30 meeting, the Boone County Commission accepted the retirement of Administrator Pam White from the office of the Boone County Commission after 36-and-a-half years of service, effective June 30 while naming assistant administrator Lee Ann Dale the interim administrat...

07/23/2026

The Bureau of Land Management has launched a new General Land Office (GLO) Records website with redesigned search tools.

This site serves as the index when ordering Federal Land Records on our site, so we're taking the time to thoroughly learn the new system. These includes military bounty land, homestead records, cash sale records, etc.

No promises, but we'll try to publish a video walkthrough as soon as possible that demonstrates how to efficiently locate the information you need to order federal land records from CivilWarRecords.com. Our goal is to help make the transition seamless so you can quickly find the information needed for your research and record requests.

Stay tuned. This is brand new to us too, so we'll share the tutorial as soon as we figure out the new site and update our ordering process if necessary!

At first glance, the update looks completely different than what used to be there. If you've used it and have any helpful tips, please share them so we can all benefit!

07/23/2026

Spencer State Hospital Cemetery Memorial Fund - Donation Form
Fund sponsored by the Roane County Historical Society, Inc.

07/23/2026

The 97th Smoot Family Reunion is quickly approaching. If you plan to attend please register at the following link. Additionally, to guarantee a selection of this year’s T-shirt you can email [email protected] with your preferred sizes:

S-XL $20
XXL $25

Funds will be collected when you receive your apparel.

See you soon!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2hmaTKVJf7yaaWYCBdCHK9cZoEMK0nA_CMBprjJJMcQ5aGg/viewform

07/23/2026

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION: Cemetery Responds After Young Headstone Cleaning Business Raises Concerns

A social media post from the family behind Grant County Grime Reaper Marker Cleaning has sparked widespread discussion after they announced they would no longer be cleaning headstones at Marion IOOF Cemetery, formerly known as Estates of Serenity.

The family claimed cemetery officials placed restrictions on the products and methods they could use, required written permission from families before cleaning monuments, and asked them to sign paperwork before continuing. They also expressed concern that the requirements would make it difficult for 12-year-old Cainan to continue the business he started several years ago.

In response, Center Township says the issue was not Cainan’s age or his business, but rather the cemetery’s responsibility to protect historic monuments, ensure proper preservation methods are used, and address liability and safety concerns for anyone performing paid work on cemetery grounds.

According to the township, families are not required to use the cemetery’s cleaning service, and officials say they offered to work with Cainan by providing the cemetery-approved cleaning product at cost and discussing a solution that would allow him to continue.

The township also says any outside cleaning work must be authorized and completed using approved methods to help preserve monuments, some of which are historic and irreplaceable.

At this point, both sides agree a conversation took place, but they have very different interpretations of what happened.

As always, please keep the discussion respectful.

Brought to you by Chuck's Sewer Drain and Plumbing

07/20/2026

The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum is seeking public input for six new monuments to commemorate significant events leading up to the Battle of Blair Mountain took place.

04/19/2026

As we approach America250, interest in U.S. history continues to grow and for many, that curiosity begins with family history.
This once-in-a-generation moment offers genealogy and family history organizations a meaningful opportunity to help others explore their personal connections to the nation’s past.
To support that work, we have created a free America250 toolkit. It includes an introduction to America250, partnership ideas, outreach strategies, and program concepts designed to engage a wide range of audiences.
Download the toolkit. https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/america250/