West Virginia Genealogy

USA (1,379,301) > West Virginia (26,539)

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Overview of West Virginia records

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Overview of West Virginia Genealogy Records

• History: West Virginia was first settled in 1734 and was part of the state of Virginia until it became a separate state in 1863.
• Birth records: Birth records were kept in West Virginia in most counties starting in 1853 with a few before 1853. Statewide registration of births began in 1917 with full records by 1925. Birth records for 1917 and later can be obtained from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources .
• Marriage records: Marriage records were kept as early as 1780 or when each county was organized. Statewide registration of marriages began in 1853. Marriage records can be obtained from the county clerk. Marriage records for 1921 and later can be obtained from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources .
• Death records: Death records were kept in West Virginia in most counties starting in 1853 with a few before 1853. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1917 with full records by 1925. Death records for 1917 and later can be obtained from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources .
• Divorce records:County clerks have copies of divorce records.
• Census records: The first federal census available for West Virginia is 1810. There are federal censuses publicly available for 1810 (partial), 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950. Because West Virginia was part of Virginia until 1863, the West Virginia census records before 1870 are listed with the Virginia census records.
• County records: Court, probate, land, naturalization, and tax records were kept by the individual counties.
• Other records: Many cities and towns had newspapers, records kept by churches, cemeteries, histories, school, city directories, and other records that can be located on the city pages on this site. Records specific to minority groups can be found in the Minority Records section.
• All records: Online indexes and images of many of the above records can be found by using the links on this site.