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Read The Stories<\/a> A large and influential community that had a lasting impact on the landscape and culture of the region. The laborers and their families who lived, worked, and built communities in the Harpers Ferry area. An important limestone village turned critical east coast industrial hub that has been written out of history.<\/p>\n Our fully indexed and cross-referenced database<\/a> contains over 2,100 transcriptions of documents, records, and manuscripts for family historians and scholarly researchers relating to eastern Jefferson County, West Virginia.<\/p>\n Email Received From Visitor.<\/p>\n Access transcribed sources, cross-referenced records, and labor-focused datasets for original research.<\/p>\n START HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a> Search social history, church records, manuscripts, and newspapers to reconstruct the lives of your family members.<\/p>\n START HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a> Step into the untold stories of Harpers Ferry history from the perspective of a descendant of Irish laborers and colonial settlers.<\/p>\n START HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Read Now<\/p>\n <\/a> Read Now<\/p>\n <\/a> Without the Irish, there would be no Catholic congregation in Harpers Ferry. Although St. Peter’s is considered a Roman Catholic parish, the church historically took on an overwhelmingly Irish congregation, and tailored its sermons to the very similar, yet slightly different ideology of the Celtic rooted version of traditional Roman Catholicism.<\/a>View All Articles<\/a><\/p>\n December 3, 2025 0<\/a> November 16, 2025 0<\/a> November 8, 2025 0<\/a> September 5, 2025 0<\/a> December 19, 2024 4<\/a><\/p>\n Obituaries & Deaths<\/a><\/p>\n Industry<\/a><\/p>\n Real Estate<\/a><\/p>\n Marriages & Wedding Announcements<\/a><\/p>\n Naturalization<\/a><\/p>\n Limestone Quarries<\/a><\/p>\n Accidents<\/a><\/p>\n Visitations<\/a><\/p>\n View Full Topic Index<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t#dpt-wrapper-586 { –dpt-text-align: left;–dpt-image-crop: center;–dpt-border-radius: 5px;–dpt-h-gutter: 10px;–dpt-v-gutter: 10px; } \t\t\t\t\t\t\tMost Recent Evidence<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tKelly agst. Smithfield, Charles Town and Harpers Ferry Turnpike Co.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tConlin; Power of Attorney<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tWill: James Conlin<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tBio: John H. Lindsay<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnited States vs. Thomas Kirwan<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeed: Kirwan to Cross<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeed: McGowan to Lott<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeed: McGowan to Lane<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourt Order: Sale of Property at Boerley’s Risk<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourt Order: Hartgrove, Boerley vs. McCabe, admin.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeed of Trust: Boerley to Lover<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeed of Trust, Brittain to Boerley.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeed: Boerley, Doran to Hagan<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tT. Boerley, Appraisement of Estate<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tBoerley vs. McCabe, Judgement Ordered<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeed: Haines, lot in Shepherdstown to Lindsay<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeed: Caton to Eaty for insolvency.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tGraham, ordered to keep peace towards S. Caton.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n View Evidence Database<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n Learn about the members of the Welsh\/Walsh family of Harpers Ferry and related families.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Harpers Ferry, Ireland, and the important places tied to them.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A fully cross-referenced database of transcribed historical records and manuscripts.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Browse our growing library of historical family, location, and event photographs.<\/p>\n Discover More Research Resources<\/a><\/p>\n Flanagan<\/a><\/p>\n Welsh<\/a><\/p>\n Moler<\/a><\/p>\n Caton<\/a><\/p>\n Moore<\/a><\/p>\n Walsh<\/a><\/p>\n Knott<\/a><\/p>\n Houser<\/a><\/p>\n Browse our full surname directory.<\/a><\/p>\n Much of Harpers Ferry\u2019s history has been told through moments of great national consequence: battles, raids, and prominent families. <\/p>\n But what about the thousands of laboring families quietly building, living, and working behind the scenes?<\/p>\n<\/h4>\n Harpers Ferry\u2019s historical narrative has long focused on singular events rather than sustained communities. As a result, the large and influential laboring population often appears anonymous or absent from the historical record altogether.<\/p>\n The Welsh of Harpers Ferry began with the intent to better understand one of these laboring families. Forgotten Irish laborers who achieved the American dream by their own sheer resilience, the Welsh family of Harpers Ferry and Bakerton left behind important missing pieces of the laboring-class experience in eastern Jefferson County.<\/p>\n Tracing their lives and impact requires piecing together historical context with written and oral record.<\/p>\n If the Welsh family legacy is of returning a voice to the Harpers Ferry Irish, it is a worthy one. The Welsh family’s incredible story is not an exception, but is representative of an entire population whose labor sustained Harpers Ferry while their stories are erased from history.<\/p>\n
\nStart your Research<\/a><\/p>\nThe forgotten voices of Harpers Ferry.<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/HaroldSkipMWelsh.png\")
<\/p>\nThe Irish of Harpers Ferry<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/johnmartinwelshtoughbunch-Colorized.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Laboring class<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/1916-Bakerton-Baseball-Team-Colorized.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Village Of Bakerton<\/h5>\n
This is their story.<\/h2>\n
Harpers Ferry history is far more layered than John Brown and the Civil War. The Welsh of Harpers Ferry chronicles the history of Harpers Ferry through the perspective of the forgotten Irish and the laboring class.<\/h5>\n
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\n“I just wanted to thank you. I have found so much I didn’t know about my family and the area on your site. You are doing invaluable work!”<\/p>\nYour Roadmap<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/cocanalscrip.jpg\")
<\/p>\nResearchers<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Tommyfamily-Colorized.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFamily Historians<\/h4>\n
![\"Dargan](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/martin-dargan-school.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHistory Enthusiasts<\/h4>\n
Hot Off The Press<\/h2>\n
POPULAR<\/h2>\n
Articles<\/h2>\n
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SERIES<\/p>\nCanawlers<\/h4>\n
& Seemingly Incurable Misery<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/758765403.672836-1-500x288.jpg\")
SERIES<\/p>\nOlde Bakerton<\/h4>\n
The Story of Bakerton, West Virginia<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/pexels-hector-mclaurin-158522767-10756709.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSt. Peter\u2019s Catholic Church of Harpers Ferry: An Irish Parish on American Soil<\/h4>\n
Newest<\/h6>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ireland-poverty-kerry-1800s-960x720.webp\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe “Luck” of the Irish<\/a><\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSt. Peter’s Catholic Church of Harpers Ferry: An Irish Parish on American Soil<\/a><\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/botelersmill.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBoteler’s Mill: Labor & Cement in 19th-Century Jefferson County<\/a><\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/67-Colorized.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nA Light Still Burning: The Bakerton Store<\/a><\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/758765403.672836-1-960x720.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nLife Between The Blasts: The Village of Bakerton<\/a><\/h5>\n
From The Archives<\/h2>\n
Most Popular Topics<\/h6>\n
![\"Washington](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/standard-lime-check-f-500x184.webp\")
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\n\t\t\t#dpt-wrapper-586 { –dpt-title-font-style:normal;–dpt-title-font-weight:600;–dpt-title-line-height:1.5;–dpt-title-text-decoration:none;–dpt-title-text-transform:none;–dpt-title-link-hover-color:#a16026;–dpt-excerpt-font-style:normal;–dpt-excerpt-font-weight:400;–dpt-excerpt-line-height:1.5;–dpt-excerpt-text-decoration:none;–dpt-excerpt-text-transform:none;–dpt-meta1-font-style:normal;–dpt-meta1-font-weight:400;–dpt-meta1-line-height:1.9;–dpt-meta1-text-decoration:none;–dpt-meta1-text-transform:none;–dpt-meta2-font-style:normal;–dpt-meta2-font-weight:400;–dpt-meta2-line-height:1.9;–dpt-meta2-text-decoration:none;–dpt-meta2-text-transform:none; }<\/p>\nKelly agst. Smithfield, Charles Town and Harpers Ferry Turnpike Co.<\/a><\/h3>\n
Conlin; Power of Attorney<\/a><\/h3>\n
Will: James Conlin<\/a><\/h3>\n
Bio: John H. Lindsay<\/a><\/h3>\n
United States vs. Thomas Kirwan<\/a><\/h3>\n
Deed: Kirwan to Cross<\/a><\/h3>\n
Deed: McGowan to Lott<\/a><\/h3>\n
Deed: McGowan to Lane<\/a><\/h3>\n
Court Order: Sale of Property at Boerley’s Risk<\/a><\/h3>\n
Court Order: Hartgrove, Boerley vs. McCabe, admin.<\/a><\/h3>\n
Deed of Trust: Boerley to Lover<\/a><\/h3>\n
Deed of Trust, Brittain to Boerley.<\/a><\/h3>\n
Deed: Boerley, Doran to Hagan<\/a><\/h3>\n
T. Boerley, Appraisement of Estate<\/a><\/h3>\n
Boerley vs. McCabe, Judgement Ordered<\/a><\/h3>\n
Deed: Haines, lot in Shepherdstown to Lindsay<\/a><\/h3>\n
Deed: Caton to Eaty for insolvency.<\/a><\/h3>\n
Graham, ordered to keep peace towards S. Caton.<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/migration.welshofharpersferry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Picture-009-718x1200.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOUR DATABASES<\/h6>\n
We believe that every person made a contribution to history. What stories will you discover?<\/h2>\n
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\n<\/p>\nPeople<\/h5>\n
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\n<\/p>\nPlaces<\/h5>\n
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\n<\/p>\nEvidence<\/h5>\n
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\n<\/p>\nPhotographs<\/h5>\n
Looking for someone specific?<\/h3>\n
MOST COMMON SURNAMES<\/h6>\n
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\nQuarryman’s RestJoin Waitlist<\/a><\/p>\nWanting to experience the rich, colorful history of Harpers Ferry & Bakerton for yourself?<\/h3>\n
We’re busy crafting Quarryman’s Rest, an immersive historical and heritage community and travel experience. Hop on our waitlist to learn more and get your chance to win big.<\/h5>\n
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