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My name is Michelle Kennedy Byrd and I am your host for Gallia County. I'm glad that you stopped by. In these pages you will find genealogical data that I hope will help you in your research. My goal is to provide as much information as possible so that your search is much easier.

We are always looking for contributions to the site. If you have transcribed obituaries, death certificates, photos, family stories, newspaper articles, or anything else that would help someone in their search we would be grateful for your contributions.

ATTENTION: I am looking for transcriptions of Gallia County cemeteries. Please send me your transcriptions for addition to this site. I will give credit for the transcriptions. Thank you!

I do ask that anything submitted contains the source information as well, even if it is just your name for things like a family story. To submit your contributions, . Please make sure that you include what type of data it is in the subject. I cannot however do research for you.

Please feel free to make comments or suggestions about things that you would like to see as well. Afterall, this is your site.

COURTHOUSE INFO:

County Courthouse
18 Locust Street
Gallipolis, Ohio 45631-1294
Phone: 740-446-4374
Fax: 740-446-4804

Named by residents after the kingdom of Gaul in France, the Gallia County name originated from the Latin word for France. In the 1790's French immigrants came to the United States in search for land that was offered by land speculators who represented the Scioto Company. These French settler's built their settlement in Ohio in Gallipolis, which meant, "city of the Gauls." After their arrival, the settlers found that they had been conned. Many moved on but those who stayed paid for their land or had to move on to land set aside by the U. S. government known as the French Grant. Those who purchased their land were among the first white settlers of Gallia County.

In the early 1800's the Welsh began to immigrate to the United States from poverty stricten areas of Wales. The Welsh began arriving in Gallipolis, mostly by accident. A group of Welsh immigrants migrating toward Paddy's Run in Butler Co., Ohio, were in need of provisions and stopped at Gallipolis. After sending a scout to survey the area, they were met by the French inhabitants of the area. They were welcomed and invited to stay the night. During  the night a terrible storm came across the area and the Welsh lost their flatboat. Whether or not it was caused by the storm or by human hand, no one will ever know. A few days later, the boat was found and the men prepared for their journey on to Paddy's Run. The women stood up to their men and demanded that they stay right where they were. They refused to accompany their husbands on down the river. The men decided to stay in Gallia Co., Ohio. News arrived in Wales about the bountiful area and others found their way into Gallia county, making the area one of the largest Welsh settlements in the area. (The Welsh of Columbus, Ohio: A Study in Adaptation and Assimilation; A Thesis By Daniel Jenkins Williams, pg 24. Copyright 1914 Ohio State University.)

For a guide on pronouncing and understanding Welsh place names click here