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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Valley Head (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Valley Head. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the west contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Valley Head is located in Randolph County.

To see how the shape of West Virginia's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Randolph County: Barbour, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Tucker, Upshur & Webster.

Below are the counties that are near Valley Head. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Valley Head:

  • Randolph County     (The home county of Valley Head)
  • Barbour County
    • Junior
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Junior have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Junior
      • Junior is located in Barbour County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 483 people
  • Braxton County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Valley Head, with the one closest to Valley Head listed first.
    • Milroy
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Milroy. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Milroy
      • Milroy is located in Braxton County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Milroy
      • From Valley Head to Milroy
    • Palmer
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Palmer have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Palmer
      • Palmer is located in Braxton County
  • Lewis County
    • Duffy
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Duffy. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duffy
      • Duffy is located in Lewis County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Duffy
      • From Valley Head to Duffy
  • Pendleton County
  • Pocahontas County
  • Upshur County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Valley Head, with the one closest to Valley Head listed first.
    • Goshen
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
    • Alexander
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Alton
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Alton. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Alton
      • Alton is located in Upshur County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Alton
      • From Valley Head to Alton
    • Beans Mill
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Queens
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Kanawha Head
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Sellers ‑ Historic
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sellers have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sellers
      • Sellers is located in Upshur County
    • Tenmile
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Tenmile. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Tenmile
      • Tenmile is located in Upshur County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Tenmile
      • From Valley Head to Tenmile
    • Rock Cave
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Wilsontown
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Sand Run
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Sand Run. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sand Run
      • Sand Run is located in Upshur County
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Sand Run
      • From Valley Head to Sand Run
    • Tallmansville
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
    • Adrian
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
  • Webster County
  • Bath County (VA)
  • Highland County (VA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Valley Head, with the one closest to Valley Head listed first.
    • Hightown
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Hightown. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hightown
      • Hightown is located in Highland County (VA)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Hightown
      • From Valley Head to Hightown
    • Buckeye ‑ Historic
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Buckeye have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Buckeye
      • Buckeye is located in Highland County (VA)
    • Meadowdale
      (23 miles [37 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Meadowdale have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meadowdale
      • Meadowdale is located in Highland County (VA)
    • Monterey
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Monterey have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Monterey
      • Monterey is located in Highland County (VA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 136 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Monterey <1>
    • Possum Trot
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Valley Head, see our County-by-County Page for Valley Head.

Cemeteries Near Valley Head ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Valley Head.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

Although we don't have the information ourselves, if you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our list of websites on our Genealogy Helper Page for Valley Head - one of the links might be able to help.

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Valley Head covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Valley Head, with the one closest to Valley Head listed first.

  • Simmons Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Simmons Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Simmons Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Ware Cemetery
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ware Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ware Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Stainaker Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Stainaker Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Stainaker Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Cowger Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Cowger Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Cowger Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Varner Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Varner Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Varner Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Bethel Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bethel Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bethel Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Ft. Milroy Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Ft. Milroy Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Ft. Milroy Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Hilltop Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hilltop Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hilltop Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Wanless Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wanless Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wanless Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Old Brick Church Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Old Brick Church Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Old Brick Church Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Hicks Cemetery
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hicks Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hicks Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pickens Cemetery
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pickens Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pickens Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (113 more) ...
    • Keller Cemetery
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Keller Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Keller Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Hauchen Cemetery
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hauchen Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hauchen Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Hannah Cemetery
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hannah Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hannah Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<4>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Valley Head had a population of 23 people in 1895 with a post office and no railroad service.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Valley Head, with the one closest to Valley Head listed first.

  • Monterville
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the west)
  • Blue Spring
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
  • Elkwater
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Lee Bell
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Lee Bell. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<2>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lee Bell
    • Lee Bell is located in Randolph County
    • Google driving directions:
    • From your current location to Lee Bell
    • From Valley Head to Lee Bell
  • Huttonsville
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the north)
  • Florence ‑ Historic
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Florence have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Florence
    • Florence is located in Randolph County
  • Pickens
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Bergoo
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bergoo have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bergoo
    • Bergoo is located in Webster County
  • Green Bank
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southeast)
  • Helvetia
    (14 miles [22.5 km] to the northwest)
  • Clover Lick
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Clover Lick have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clover Lick
    • Clover Lick is located in Pocahontas County
  • Dunmore
    (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dunmore have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dunmore
    • Dunmore is located in Pocahontas County
    • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Dunmore <1>
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Palace Valley
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Palace Valley have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Palace Valley
      • Palace Valley is located in Upshur County
    • Huff ‑ Historic
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Huff have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huff
      • Huff is located in Randolph County
    • Woodzell
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Woodzell have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Woodzell
      • Woodzell is located in Webster County

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Valley Head. See our List of 1890's Communities around Valley Head.

Newspapers Published in Valley Head ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 7 newspapers that have been published in the area around Valley Head.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Valley Head, there are papers which were published within 22 miles [35.4 km]<5>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Valley Head.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we like to start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Valley Head:

Footnotes ...

<1>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<2>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<3>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<4>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Valley Head, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<5>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Valley Head) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Valley Head. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 38.5473, Longitude: -80.0354