About KYOWVA

During the course of a 1977 genealogy class being taught at a local vocational school, the instructor and eleven of his students discussed their desire to form a local genealogical society. In March 1978, the first informal meeting was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church (LDS) on Shawnee Drive in Huntington. Election of officers took place at the next meeting in April,1978 and the KYOWVA Genealogical Society officially came into being. The name "KYOWVA" is derived from the names of the three states making up the tri-state area we serve. The states are Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Our neighboring counties are Lawrence, Boyd Counties in Kentucky; Gallia, Lawrence Counties in Ohio; Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln and Mason Counties in West Virginia.

The fledgling society soon boasted a list of over 60 charter members and continued to meet at the LDS church until 1981. From 1982 to 1984, we met at the 20th Street Baptist Church, then moved to the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church until 1985. The 6th Avenue Church of Christ became our home from 1985 until 1996. The Guyandotte Post 9738, Veterans of Foreign Wars made the Keenan House, a historic two-story house located across the street from their facility on Main Street in the Guyandotte section of Huntington, available to us in 1996. For the first time, we were able to permanently set up our research library in two rooms on the second floor. Another room in the four room house was available for use as an office. Our regular monthly meeting attendance quickly outgrew the available space in the house, so the VFW graciously allowed us to use their conference room at no cost for our meetings. Over the next eleven years we enjoyed a great relationship with the VFW.

Eventually the aging house developed major structural issues that became too costly for us or the VFW to correct. The lack of accessibility for our handicapped patrons and the need for additional space to house our ever-expanding library prompted us to look new quarters. The search took us to our present location in the Second Presbyterian Church, in Huntington's West End. This facility meets every requirement; ample space for our library, meeting rooms, and rest rooms all on the same floor. Everything was moved and November 28th marked opening day in our new location.

KYOWVA Genealogical and Historical Society is a dynamic and growing membership of individuals from across the country who share a common love of genealogy and history. The society promotes the study of genealogy and genealogical and historical research. We maintain a library for the collection and preservation of information and artifacts pertaining to genealogy and local history. Whether you are a novice or a veteran, KYOWVA Genealogy and Historical Society can assist you in your research.

Current Officers & Board Members

KYOWVA's current elected officers are Debra Campbell, President; Mary Ann Chatterton, 1st Vice President; Ernie Wright, 2nd Vice President; Anne Shuff, Treasurer and Librarian; David Chatterton, Corresponding Secretary; Brenda Chatterton, Recording Secretary; June B. Ashworth, Newsletter Editor.

Current Board Members are June Ashworth, Debra Campbell, Elna Chafin, David Chatterton, Mary Ann Chatterton, Marilyn Coleman, Charlene Leist, Karen LdGrand, Ernest Midkiff, Sheri K. Pettit, and Ernie Wright.

 

 

Our current home, the Second Presbyterian Church, is located in the west end of Huntington. The present building, with its high copper covered dome, was erected in 1924 replacing the church's first home built in 1910. The area was known as Central City in the late 1800's. Central City was a thriving manufacturing town with 5,000 residents just west of the town of Huntington. The town was annexed by Huntington in 1909. The church building is surrounded by many old, turn-of-the-century homes. Today the area is a major tourist attraction with its many antique shops and museums.

Membership Information

Membership in the KYOWVA Genealogical and Historical Society is $15.00 per year for single members or couples living at the same address, renewable on January 1st of each year. Join now by mailing your check for $15.00 to KYOWVA. Write "Membership Renewal" in the memo line of the check. Make your check payable to "KYOWVA Genealogical and Historical Society" and mail it to KYOWVA, PO Box 1254, Huntington WV 25714-1254. A printable membership application form is available here at the KYOWVA GHS Forms page.

Upcoming Events

For detailed information on upcoming activities at KYOWVA and other events of interest, visit our Events Page.