Westmoreland County, PA or West Augusta District, VA?
The Westmoreland County Historical Society will hold a workshop, Westmoreland County, PA or West Augusta District, VA?: Tracing Your Ancestors Through 18th Century Land and Legal Records on Monday, March 15th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the Calvin E. Pollins Library, 41 W. Otterman Street, Suite 310, Greensburg, PA. This program is designed to help researchers understand how the border dispute between Pennsylvania and Virginia in the late 18th century has an impact on genealogical research.
Genealogical research can be challenging, particularly when the object of the search seems to be playing hide and seek. Family lore may state that an ancestor lived in Westmoreland County but land and legal documentation is absent. Our ancestors did move about more than we might suspect, but many researchers don’t realize that geographical borders and political allegiance of the past were not as they are today.
Westmoreland County was formed on February 26, 1773, and encompassed all of southwestern Pennsylvania. Prior to our county’s foundation, this region was Cumberland, then Bedford counties between 1769 and 1773. At least eight new counties were created wholly, or in part, from land within the original boundaries of Westmoreland between 1781 and 1803. The townships underwent radical boundary transformation until the late 1870s as well. Another factor to be considered is that Virginia claimed a large portion of southwestern Pennsylvania in the 18th century. That border dispute was not settled until 1784. The presentation will use historic maps and atlases, tax and land records, and discuss on line resources to help researchers untangle and interpret this sometimes complicated historic record.
Advance registration is required for the workshop Westmoreland County, PA or West Augusta District, VA? Fees include maps and related material; $15 for WCHS members and $20 for non-members. Please call 724-836-1800 x10 to make a reservation.