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

VITAL RECORDSLook this term up in the glossary.


State RecordsLook this term up in the glossary. of BirthsLook this term up in the glossary. and DeathsLook this term up in the glossary.

Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1917 and was generally complied with by 1925. The counties have copies of these records. Because most of the state copies of the records from 1917 to 1921 were destroyed in a fire, it is best to request vital records through 1921 from the county clerk (see below).

The Family History Library has microfilms of birth certificates 1852-1930 (FHL films beginning with 1992300), death certificates 1917-1994, and death indexes 1917-1991 (FHL films beginning with film 1984577). You can also obtain state copies of birth and death records from 1917 to the present for a fee by writing to:

Vital Registration Office,
State Capitol Complex No. 3, Rm 516
Charleston, WV 25305
Telephone: 304-558-2931
Fax: 304-558-1051
The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces (Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, march 1993; FHL book 973 V24wv.) Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and many Family History Centers.


County RecordsLook this term up in the glossary. of Births and Deaths

County birth and death records date from 1853 to the present for most counties. Copies may be obtained from the county clerk. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of all available birth and death records from 1853 to about 1900, and to about 1970 for many counties.

The birth, marriage, and death records from 1853 to 1860 are on 10 microfilms (FHL film 034484-93) arranged by county and listed in the Family History Library Catalog under WEST VIRGINIA - VITAL RECORDS. Later records are listed under WEST VIRGINIA, [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS.


Marriage RecordsLook this term up in the glossary.

West Virginia marriages were recorded by the existing counties as early as 1780. For later counties, marriage records began when each county was organized. Marriage records can be obtained by writing to the county clerk of the county where the marriage took place.

For marriage records from 1853 to 1860 see the 10 microfilms described above under birth and death records.

The Family History Library has copies of all available marriage records from 1780 to about 1900 and to about 1970 for some counties.

The state has copies of the county records since 1964 and an index for 1921-1963. Records prior to 1964 are kept at the County Clerk's office where they applied to be married. You may obtain copies from 1964 to the present by writing to the Division of Vital Statistics (address given above).


DivorcesLook this term up in the glossary.

Divorce proceedings are kept by the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted. The Family History Library does not have any West Virginia divorce records.


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FOR FURTHER READING

More detailed information about research and records of West Virginia is found in:

Ebert, Rebecca A. Finding Your People in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and West Virginia. Winchester, Va.: The Rebecca Co., 1984. (FHL book 975 D27e.)

Eichholz, Alice, ed. Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources. Rev. ed. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1992. (FHL book 973 D27rb 1992; computer number 594021.) Contains bibliographies and background information on history and ethnic groups. Also contains maps and tables showing when each county was created.

Stinson, Helen S. A Handbook for Genealogical Research in West Virginia. South Charleston, W.Va.: Kanawha Valley Genealogical Society, 1981. (FHL book 975.4 D27s.)


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COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this outline. Please send your suggestions to:

Publications Coordination
Family History Library
35 N. West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400
USA
We appreciate the archivists, librarians, and others who have reviewed this outline and shared helpful information.

Paper publication: Second edition July 1997. English approval: 7/97.

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