ANCESTRY BRINGING FOLKS BACK TO MERCER COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA

Ancestry travel is one of the fastest-growing travel trends for 2026. Across the country, travelers are choosing destinations connected to their family, places that they have heard about in stories or locations scribbled on the back of an old black and white photograph.

In Mercer County and especially, Bluefield, that trend isn’t new to us.

Not all of the people who stop by our visitors centers ask about itineraries or attractions. On social media, comments are often about family roots that tie them to Bluefield and Appalachia.

We hear things like:
“My family is from here.”
“My grandparents were born in Bluefield.”
“I’m just trying to find a street or church I’ve heard about my whole life.”

For many visitors, Bluefield isn’t a place they discovered. It’s a place they’ve always known about.

A City That Lives in Family Stories

For generations, Bluefield played a central role in the everyday life for thousands of families.

People worked, went to school, worshiped and built routines around downtown streets and neighborhood blocks. Those experiences didn’t stay behind. They traveled with families, passed down through stories and more.

That’s what makes Bluefield such a natural fit for ancestry travel. Visitors aren’t starting from scratch. They’re reconnecting with a place that already belongs to their family narrative.

Looking for Landmarks That Feel Familiar

Many ancestry trips begin with questions about landmarks such streets, churches, cemetaries and schools. The railroad is also an important area as many families had connections to Norfolk and Western Railway (later Norfolk Southern Railway) and the coalfields of southern West Virginia. For visitors who want help connecting the dots, the Bluefield Historial Driving Tour highlights a period where Bluefield families began putting down roots, building large homes.

To dig deeper into local ancestry, here are other locations to visit and plan research.

Craft Memorial Library

Often the first place we recommend. Local newspapers, city directories, and history collections help visitors connect names, dates, and addresses. The Eastern Regional Coal Archives contain maps, oral history tapes, newspapers, blueprints, company records and much more. But call for an appointment first.

Bluefield State University

For families with ties to education, leadership, or campus life, the university provides historical context that helps place personal stories within the broader Bluefield narrative. The East End Walking Trail helps connect visitors to Hotel Thelma, the Travelers Inn and Bluefield State Univeristy, which is a historical black instituation established before 1964.

Cemeteries and Church Grounds

For some visitors, family research may lead to historic cemeteries across Mercer County. Many of these burial grounds date back generations and reflect the area’s deep roots and early settlement patterns. Some of these cemetaries are on private properties across the area. We recommend seeking permission before accessing private land.

Other county resources

Of course, Bluefield isn’t the only place to research or visit for ancestry roots. The Princeton Historical Society offers appointments for those looking for artifacts, documents and photographs. The Mercer County Courhouse serves as the official spot for marriage licenses, deeds and property records and court documents.

There’s no right way to trace family history. If Mercer County, West Virginia, is part of your search, we’re happy to help however we can.

Last updated: January 21, 2026