How to Find West Virginia Marriage Records: Difference between revisions
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{| width="75%" border="1" align="center" style="margin: 1em auto" | {| width="75%" border="1" align="center" style="margin: 1em auto" | ||
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! valign="middle" bgcolor="C0 C0 C0" align="center" | ! valign="middle" bgcolor="C0 C0 C0" align="center" colspan="2" scope="col" | | ||
== '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? ''' == | == '''Next Step: When did the marriage occur? ''' == | ||
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:<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span> | :<span style="font-size:120%">'''Marriage Records'''</span> | ||
:<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span> | :<span style="font-size:120%">Choose a time period:</span> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find West | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find West Virginia Marriage Records#Marriages_Before_1863|Before 1863]]''' </span> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find West Virginia Marriage Records# | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Find West Virginia Marriage Records#Marriages_1964 to Present|1964 to Present]]''' </span> | ||
:*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span> | :*<span style="font-size:120%">'''[[How to Estimate United States Marriage Information|Marriage year unknown]]'''</span> | ||
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*In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia | *In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia | ||
*Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county | *Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county | ||
*Marriages before 1863 would have been recorded by county clerks in Virginia | *Marriages before 1863 would have been recorded by county clerks in Virginia | ||
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records For United States Marriage Information|other records]]. <br> | If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for marriage information in [[Substitute Records For United States Marriage Information|other records]]. <br> | ||
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| '''Free;''' dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website]; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | | '''Free;''' dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website]; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | ||
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| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?''' | | align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?''' | ||
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| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' | | align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' | ||
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[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. | [[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]] | ||
[[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]] | |||
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<center>[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Finding_Kentucky_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center> | <center>[[How to Find Kentucky Marriage Records#Finding_Kentucky_Marriage_Records|Return to the Top: Choose another marriage year]]</center> <center><br></center> | ||
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== '''Marriages 1964 to Present''' == | == '''Marriages 1964 to Present''' == | ||
*1964 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state | *1964 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state | ||
==== '''STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index''' ==== | ==== '''STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index''' ==== | ||
Some marriages after 1964 are found in the following databases. | |||
Some marriages after 1964 are found in the following databases. | |||
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| '''Free;''' dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website]; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | | '''Free;''' dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website]; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | ||
|} | |} | ||
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0" | {| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" border="0" | ||
| | |- | ||
| | |||
|- | |- | ||
| align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?''' | | align="left" colspan="2" | '''Can't find your ancestor in the online index?''' | ||
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| align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' | | align="left" colspan="2" | '''No marriage record for your ancestor?''' | ||
| | | | ||
[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. | [[Gretna Greens in the United States|Search for Gretna Greens]]-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. [[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]] | ||
[[Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information|Other records with marriage information]] | |||
| | | | ||
|} | |} | ||
==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate''' ==== | ==== '''STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate''' ==== | ||
If you did not find your ancestor in the above database, follow the instructions below: | If you did not find your ancestor in the above database, follow the instructions below: | ||
'''PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage''' | '''PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage''' | ||
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| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://elect.ky.gov/contactcountyclerks/pages/default.aspx From County where Marriage occurred] | | width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://elect.ky.gov/contactcountyclerks/pages/default.aspx From County where Marriage occurred] | ||
| width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/vital/mdcert.htm After June 1958 - Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics] <br> | | width="50%" align="center" colspan="2" | [http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/vital/mdcert.htm After June 1958 - Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics] <br> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros''' | | width="25%" align="center" | '''Pros''' | ||
Revision as of 16:51, 14 June 2013
How To Find U.S. Marriage Records 
How To Find West Virginia Marriage Records
Finding West Virginia Marriage Records[edit | edit source]
- In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia
- Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
- Marriages before 1863 would have been recorded by county clerks in Virginia
- 1964 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
Next Step: When did the marriage occur? [edit | edit source] |
| |
|---|---|---|
Learn more about U.S. Marriage Records
Marriages Before 1963[edit | edit source]
- In 1863, West Virginia was created from the state of Virginia
- Marriages are kept by the county clerk for each county and usually begin at the creation of the county
- Marriages before 1863 would have been recorded by county clerks in Virginia
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below try searching for marriage information in other records.
For marriages that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link.
| West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History | Free; dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | ||
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information |
||
Marriages 1964 to Present[edit | edit source]
- 1964 - duplicate copies of the marriages were required to be sent to the state
STEP ONE: Find Marriage Information in Index[edit | edit source]
Some marriages after 1964 are found in the following databases.
| West Virginia Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At West Virginia Division of Culture and History | Free; dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1853-1970 - At FamilySearch.org | Free; dates vary by county: some start before 1853 or do not go to 1970; list of database county coverage (right side of the screen)on WV website; click on "view partner website" to see a copy of the image | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | ||
| No marriage record for your ancestor? |
Search for Gretna Greens-- locations away from the home county where marriage laws were less restrictive. Other records with marriage information |
||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
If you did not find your ancestor in the above database, follow the instructions below:
PART A: You don't know the exact date or place of marriage
- If you know the county of marriage, you can request a search for a fee from the county clerk.
- If you don't know the county or date of marriage but you believe it is after June 1958, you can request a search for a fee from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
- If you don't know the date or county of marriage, you can also try searching for marriage information in other records.
PART B: You know the exact date and place of marriage from your records
- A copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the county clerk.
OR
- For marriages AFTER JUNE 1958 - a copy of a marriage record may be ordered for a fee from the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.
| To Order Marriage Certificates | |||
| From County where Marriage occurred | After June 1958 - Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | May be more expensive than ordering from the county | |
Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
- Learn more about U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. birth records
- How to find U.S. marriage records
- How to find U.S. death records
- United States Record Selection Table
- United States, How to Use Marriage Records
- United States Marriage Records
- United States Vital Records
- U.S. Vital Records Overview
- Locating United States Vital Records