R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

West Virginia
Research Outline
   

Table of Contents
Records Of The Family History Library
Family History Library Catalog
Archives And Libraries
Bible Records
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Records
Court Records
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
Gazetteers
Genealogy
History
Land And Property
Maps
Military Records
Naturalization And Citizenship
Newspapers
Periodicals
Probate Records
Taxation
Vital Records
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

This outline describes major sources of information about families from West Virginia. As you read this outline, study the United States Research Outline, (30972) which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records. Also use the Virginia Research Outline to learn about many pre-1863 Virginia records that apply to West Virginia families.


RECORDS OF THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY

The Family History Library has most of the records listed in this outline. The major holdings include 12,000 microfilms of vital records, court records, newspapers, deeds, surveys, and wills. The library has excellent records for most counties for the 1800s and many vital records to about 1970. There are few records for Lincoln County (whose records were destroyed by fire) and Mingo County (which was created in 1895 from Logan county).

Some of the sources described in this outline list the Family History Library's book, microfilm, and microfiche numbers. These are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History LibraryLook this term up in the glossary.. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the Family History Library and to order microfilm and microfiche at Family History CentersLook this term up in the glossary..


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FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG

The library's records are listed in the Family History Library CatalogLook this term up in the glossary. found at the Family History Library and at each local Family History Center. To find a record, look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog for:

  • The place where your ancestor lived, such as:
UNITED STATES - CENSUSWEST VIRGINIA - GENEALOGYWEST VIRGINIA, KANAWHA - VITAL RECORDSWEST VIRGINIA, KANAWHA, CHARLESTON - NEWSPAPERS

  • The record type you want to search, such as:
UNITED STATES - CENSUSWEST VIRGINIA - GENEALOGYWEST VIRGINIA, KANAWA - VITAL RECORDSWEST VIRGINIA, KANAWA, CHARLESTON - NEWSPAPERS

The section headings in this outline match the names of record types used in the Family History Library Catalog.

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Version of Data: 6/9/2001]