Events

On Tuesday, February 3, 2015, Russell Rollyson will present “Land Grants in West Virginia” in the Archives and History Library of the Culture Center in Charleston. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The land grant was the primary means by which early European and colonial settlement occurred in West Virginia. The British Crown and colonial government issued land grants to individuals or companies in return for improving land by settlement and as rewards for military or other service. The land grant records in the West Virginia Archives and History provide information about such topics as land titles, immigration, and family relationship found in no other place.

Russell Rollyson has lived his entire life within West Virginia. His paternal side of his family helped settle Braxton County and there is a town in Braxton County named after them. He attended Virginia Tech and the University of Charleston graduating with a degree in history. He continued his education at Marshall University where he obtained a master’s in public administration. He is currently the Deputy State Auditor for the County Collections Division of the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office. In this capacity he is responsible for the collection and enforcement of delinquent property taxes on real property in West Virginia. In addition, he is responsible for the distribution and collection of public utility taxes in West Virginia. He has been with the State Auditor’s Office since 1981.

On February 3, the library will close at 5:00 p.m. and reopen at 5:45 p.m. for participants only. For additional information, contact the Archives and History Library at (304) 558-0230.