Virginia/West Virginia
Because the state of West Virginia was created on 20 Jun 1863 from territory that once was part of the state of Virginia this resulted in a place name problem for anyone working on West Virginia genealogy. In my opinion any life event in West Virginia, prior to 20 Jun 1863, should be recorded as occuring in Virginia.
This creation of a new state from an existing state often causes errors in what researchers record. For example, a person could be born in Wetzel Co., VA and later die in Wetzel Co. WV without ever moving and the two events should be thusly recorded. It is an error to associate events prior to 20 Jun 1863 with the state of West Virginia.
Dick Henthorn
4 May 2020
