If you are interested in researching your property, here's a few tips on getting started in this undertaking. Historical research can be a long, drawn out, time consuming process, but its worth it in the end.
The internet is always a good first tool. If a house or location has historical significance, you'll find info online, sometimes from your state archives, and sometimes from private organizations. Many older homes and businesses are listed on the National Register of Historical Places, so that's always a good first step as well.
The courthouse is always a great tool also. You'll need to stop there to get property maps, conduct title searches, and collect vital statistics. These things sometimes ARE available online, but usually for a cost, and in many places, are not available. Get the maps and do the title search (chain of who owned the property throughout the years) first. The maps will be at the assessor's office, and the deeds/titles will be available through the county clerk's office. Most courthouses will have clerks on hand to assist you in getting started. Any names taken from the title search can then be taken to the statistics office where you can get marriage, death, birth, and property certificates. This will, of course, give you additional names to add into your search. If the house or property is an older one, also check for personal property census info. Many times, slaves were listed as personal property, and you can get info that way as well.
Take any of THAT info to your local historical society and/or library. Both will generally have extensive files of genealogy and newspaper clippings, not to mention just basic information about the town. Search for any of the names you've come up with, as well as the address itself. Look for classic things such as deaths and murders, but also any specific instances that you have collected from the client.
Many newspaper archives are also available online, but that is also a subscription based service, and can get a bit pricey. If the newspaper that you're looking for isn't available at your local library/historical society, you can try that newspaper's office if it still exists, or your state archives.
When at all possible, talk to older residents, law enforcement, and postal workers. They can be a wealth of information about private properties, and if there is a university nearby, they generally have a lot of resources available as well.
Take all THAT information back to the internet and refine your searches. With the popularity of genealogy and history sites, there are tons of great resources If you DO live near your state capital, your state library and archives will also have extensive resources, including rare and older books and magazines, as well as government documents. It's sort of like a treasure hunt, but very rewarding when you find the missing pieces to the puzzle.
Some preliminary sites to get you started:
Free Public Records Database:
http://publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/WV_Cabell.htm
(This link is for Cabell County, WV, but there are ways to access other counties/states from the main page. Each county has things set up differently, so some counties have really great information, while others do not.)
Cemetery Information:
www.findagrave.com
Cemetery Locater:
http://www.daddezio.com/cemetery/junction/index.html
US State Historical Societies and State Archives Directory:
http://web.syr.edu/~jryan/infopro/hs.html
Libraries:
http://www.ipl.org/
Nationwide Library Database:
http://www.publiclibraries.com/index.html
Nationwide Museum Directory:
http://www.censusfinder.com/guide_to_historical_museums.htm
National Register of Historic Places:
http://www.cr.nps.gov/NR/index.htm
Information curtsey of Theresa from Huntington Paranormal.