West Virginia Vital Records: Difference between revisions

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''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  [[West Virginia|West Virginia ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]]  '''[[West_Virginia_Vital_Records|Vital Records]]'''''
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| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
<br>'''Introduction to Vital Records'''
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
 
| link3=[[West Virginia, United States Genealogy|West Virginia]]
[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]&nbsp;has&nbsp;additional research guidance&nbsp;on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be&nbsp;purchased from&nbsp;the [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/West West Virginia Vital Records State Department of Health] or the&nbsp;County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.
| link4=
 
| link5=[[West Virginia Vital Records|Vital Records]]
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<div style="width:23%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__
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== West Virginia Vital Records Dates ==
{| class="wikitable" width="40%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
|-
| width="10%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
| width="44%" | __TOC__
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]'''
| valign="middle" | <center>'''&nbsp; [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|350px]]&nbsp;&nbsp; '''<br></center>
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]'''
== Vital Records Reference Dates  ==
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]'''
 
West Virginia's civil records start the following years:
 
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="100%" border="1"
|-
|-
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | County/Town
| align="center" width="16.6%" |
| width="10%" align="center" | 1853
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/West_Virginia_Vital_Records#State_Records_of_Births_and_Deaths Birth]'''
| width="10%" align="center" | County Formation
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/West_Virginia_Vital_Records#Marriage_Records County Marriages]'''
| width="10%" align="center" | 1853
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/West_Virginia_Vital_Records#State_Records_of_Births_and_Deaths Death]'''
|-
|-
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | Statewide Registration
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | Earliest
| width="10%" align="center" | 1917
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1853-1900
| width="10%" align="center" | 1964
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1781
| width="10%" align="center" | 1917
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1853-1900
|-
|-
| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | General Compliance
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | Statewide Registration
| width="10%" align="center" | 1925
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1917*
| width="10%" align="center" | County Formation
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1853
| width="10%" align="center" | 1925
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1917*
|-
|-
| align="center" width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" | General Compliance
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1925
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1853
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1925
|}
|}


<div style="clear:left"></div>
*Fire destroyed many 1917-1921 records
 
<br>
 
|}
 
== West Virginia&nbsp;Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online  ==
 
The following is a list of online resources useful for locating West Virginia Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]]. Most online resources for West Virginia Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to confirm the information in the index.
 
*[http://www.wvculture.org/index.aspx West Virginia State-wide, County Birth, Marriage and Death Records] are online at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Archives and History. Their West Virginia Vital Research Records Project maintains a large and growing, statewide, online searchable database with index and digital images. SELECTED birth registrations from 1853 through 1908, death records from 1853-1970 as well as marriage registration and death and marriage certificates are available at NO COST. If you have West Virginian ancestors, it is more than worthwhile to explore the whole site and check back for new added data.
*Browse for West Virginia Collections on [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start FamilySearch Record Search]&nbsp; - Free
*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/west_virginia.htm West Virginia Certificates] online -&nbsp;<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_30" /><span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1247073573052_178" />$
 
<br>
 
== State Records of Births and Deaths  ==
 
Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1917 in [[West Virginia|West Virginia]] 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:


== Online Resources ==
*Birth certificates 1852-1930. <ref>Family History Library films beginning with {{FHL|1992300}} </ref>
===Births===
*Death certificates 1917-1973. <ref>Family History Library films beginning with {{FHL|1984577}} </ref>
*'''Pre-1853-1947''' [https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ Births, Early to about 1947] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Index & images, dates vary by county<ref>[https://wvculturestage.wpengine.com/vital-record-availability/ Vital Record Availability] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county</ref>
*Death indexes 1917-1991. <ref>Family History Library films beginning with {{FHL|1984577}}</ref>
*'''1800s-1900s''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/united-states-west-virginia-births West Virginia Births, 1800's to 1900's] at Findmypast — index ($)
*'''1804-1938''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2537 West Virginia Births Index, 1804-1938] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1852-1930''' {{FSC|748513|item|disp=Birth Certificates and Delayed Birth Certificates, 1852-1930}} at FamilySearch Catalog - images
*'''1853-1914''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10688/west-virginia-birth-index-1853-1914?s=275764761 West Virginia Birth Index, 1853-1914] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1853-1928''' {{RecordSearch|1708695|West Virginia Births and Christenings, 1853-1928}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1853-1930''' {{RecordSearch|1417341|West Virginia Births, 1853-1930}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Births - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1853-1969''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2537 West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969] at Ancestry ($)


===Marriages===
You can also obtain state copies of birth and death records from 1917 to the present for a fee by writing to:  
*'''Pre-1971'''  [https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ Marriages, Early to about 1971] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Index & images, dates vary by county<ref>[https://wvculturestage.wpengine.com/vital-record-availability/ Vital Record Availability] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county</ref>
*'''1600s-1900s''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=west%20virginia United States Marriages – West Virginia, 1600's to 1900's] — index & images ($)
*'''1776-1971''' {{RecordSearch|4375852|West Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1776-1971}} at FamilySearch - [[West Virginia, County Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1780-1970''' {{RecordSearch|1408729|West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1780-1971''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20639/west-virginia-marriages?s=275764761 West Virginia Marriages] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1785-1971''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2538 West Virginia Marriages Index, 1785-1971] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1854-1932''' {{RecordSearch|1708701|West Virginia Marriages, 1854-1932}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1863-1900''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4484 West Virginia Compiled Marriage Records, 1863-1900] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1931-1970''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61032 West Virginia Marriage Index, 1931-1970] at Ancestry — index ($)


===Deaths===
[http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/oehp/hsc/vr/birtcert.htm Vital Registration Office]<br>Room 165<br>350 Capitol Street<br>Charleston, WV 25301-3701<br>Phone: 304-558-2931 <br>FAX: 304-558-8001
*'''Pre-1853-1972'''  [https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ Deaths, Early to about 1972] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Index & images, dates vary by county<ref>[https://wvculturestage.wpengine.com/vital-record-availability/ Vital Record Availability] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county</ref>
*'''1804-1999''' {{RecordSearch|1417434|West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1853-1964''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10687/west-virginia-death-index-certificates-1853-1964?s=275764761 West Virginia Death Index & Certificates, 1853-1964] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1853-1973''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2568 West Virginia Deaths Index, 1853-1973] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1854-1932''' {{RecordSearch|1708700|West Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1854-1932}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1883-1925''' [http://pages.swcp.com/~dhickman/wvcmf/wvcmf.html Fatalities in West Virginia Coal Mines] at FamilySearch Library
*'''1917-1973''' {{FSC|712049|item|disp=Certificates of Deaths (West Virginia), 1917-1973; indexes, 1917-1991}} at FamilySearch Catalog - images


===Divorce===
The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed at [http://www.vitalrec.com/ VitalRecords.com]  
*See [[West Virginia Divorce Records|West Virginia Divorce Records]] for more resources.


== Get Copies ==
Original West Virginia State-wide, County Birth, Marriage and Death Records from 1917-1956 are online at the [http://www.wvculture.org/index.aspx West Virginia Division of Culture and History]. Their West Virginia Vital Research Records Project maintains a statewide, online searchable database with digital images of selected birth registrations from 1853 through 1908, death records from 1917-1956 and marriage registration and death and marriage certificates. It is available at NO COST. The [[Pilot.familysearch.org|FamilySearch pilot databasealso]] utilizes the index, but not the document images, which are always useful and sometimes needed to clarify the occassional indexing error.  
''Restrictions:''<br>
*Birth records are restricted for 100 years<ref>[https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/forms/Documents/birthfmnew.pdf Birth Certificate Order Form] from WV Department of Health states "Birth records are confidential and not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 100 years old." accessed Jan 2025</ref>
*Death records are restricted for 50 years<ref>[https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/forms/Documents/deathfmnew.pdf Death Certificate Order form] from WV Department of Health states "Deathth records are confidential and not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 500 years old." accessed Jan 2025</ref>
*Marriage records are restricted for 50 years<ref> "Marriage records are confidential and not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 50 years old." accessed Jan 2025</ref>


=== County Records of Births and Deaths  ===


'''West Virginia Vital Registration Office'''<br>
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.  
350 Capitol Street, Room 165<br>
Charleston, WV 25301-3701<br>
Phone: (304) 558-2931<br>
Email: dhhrvitalreg@wv.gov<br>
[https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/VR/Pages/default.aspx Website]<br>


*The Vital Registration Office retains births and deaths from 1917-present; delayed birth records; marriage indexes 1924-present; marriage records 1967-present.
The birth, marriage, and death records from 1853 to 1860. <ref>Ten microfilms (Family History Library film 034484-93) </ref>Films are arranged by county and listed in the Family History Library Catalog under:  
*Order forms: [https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/forms/Documents/birthfmnew.pdf Birth], [https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/forms/Documents/marriagenew.pdf Marriage], [https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/forms/Documents/deathfmnew.pdf Death]


::WEST VIRGINIA - VITAL RECORDS.


'''West Virginia Division of Culture and History'''<br>
Later records are listed under:  
Archives and History Library<br>
The Culture Center<br>
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E.<br>
Charleston, WV 25305-0300<br>
Phone: (304) 558-0230<br>
[https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ Website]<br>


*Search [https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ ''Vital Records (Interactive)''] for online birth, marriage, and death records from Archives and History Library
::WEST VIRGINIA, [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS.
*Holdings: County birth and death records; military and many other records for Family History<ref>[https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/VR/Pages/Genealogy.aspx per VR office]</ref>
*Although there were fires in Vital Registration office, 1921 and 1927, "records (or the raw data to compile reports) were not destroyed in either fire...." and available from Archives. <ref>[https://archive.wvculture.org/history/ahnews/0506news.pdf ''West Virginia Archives History and News''] Vol VIII, no. 3, May 2006. "the Library’s collections of annual reports for the various state agencies are complete for the most part, indicating either that records (or the raw data to compile reports) were not destroyed in either fire...."  </ref>


<br>


'''County Courthouses'''<br>
== Marriage Records  ==
West Virginia marriages were recorded by the existing counties as early as 1780. For later counties, marriage records began when each county was organized. If you know where the person was born, married, or died, you may contact the county clerk.<br>
*Links to [https://wvaco.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx county clerks]. <ref>[https://wvaco.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx WVACO] link from West Virginia Association of Counties</ref>
*When West Virginia was created from the State of Virginia (June 20, 1863), no counties were divided between the two states, no counties changed names, and each county kept the originals of its own records, even if copies were sent to Richmond.<ref> [https://archive.wvculture.org/history/ahnews/0907news.pdf ''West Virginia Archives and History News''], VOL. VIII, No. 7 SEPTEMBER 2007</ref>


== Coverage and Compliance ==
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.  
''Births''<br>
*General compliance for registering births was highest when midwives or doctors were used.  
*Birth certificates are now completed by hospitals, midwives, birthing centers, parents, etc., and collected by county clerks, who transfer them to the West Virginia Health Statistics Center.<ref>[https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/SS/Vital_Statistics/Pages/Vital_Statistics.aspx ''Vital Statistics Overview''] at West Virginia Health Statistics Center</ref>
*Compliance was high almost immediately, because county officials continued the practice as when they were part of Virginia.


''Marriages:''<br>
For marriage records from 1853 to 1860 see the ten microfilms described above under birth and death records.  
*County marriage records are generally the earliest and most complete vital records, due to the high interest among the community and civil/church authorities.
*County clerks created marriage licenses, and the persons performing the marriages (usually ministers or justices of the peace) sent the "returns" to the clerks.
*Couples may have married in the county or city where bride lived or they may have eloped


''Deaths:''<br>
The Family History Library has copies of all available marriage records from 1780 to about 1900 and to about 1970 for some counties.  
*Death certificates are completed by funeral home directors, medical examiners, physicians, hospitals, relatives, etc., (and collected by county clerks), who transfer them to West Virginia Health Statistics Center.<ref>[https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/SS/Vital_Statistics/Pages/Vital_Statistics.aspx ''Vital Statistics Overview''] West Virginia Health Statistics Center </ref>
*Compliance was high from the formation of the state, since officials were accustomed to reporting info while still a part of Virginia.


== Information in the Records ==
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).
=== Birth Records ===
 
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
'''West Virginia Marriages 1853-1970; '''free&nbsp;searchable&nbsp;index&nbsp;available at [http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1408729 FamilySearch - Pilot]. Records include such information as bride and groom's names, birth date and birthplace, marriage place, clerk's name and sometimes the name of the father, and film and record numbers.
|-
 
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''West Virginia Birth Records May Include*'''
=== Early Marriage Laws  ===
|-
 
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Child'''
For information about marriage laws in Virginia (mother state of West Virginia) see [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx Virginia Marriage Laws]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
 
|-
== Divorce Records  ==
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Date/Place'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Birthplace'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Children Born/Living'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residence/Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Midwife/Doctor'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information
|}


[[United_States_Birth_Records#Content_of_Birth_Records|Information in birth records]] can vary, depending upon the person making the report (midwife,  doctor, parent, etc.). County clerks collected and maintained the records.  
Divorce proceedings are kept by the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted.  


== Adoption Records  ==


'''Delayed Birth Records'''<br>
== Additional Helps  ==
[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|Delayed birth records]] were created in the 1940s for adults without birth certificates in order to be eligible for [[United_States_Social_Security_Administration_Records|Social Security]] benefits or for passports.<br>


=== Tips  ===


''See also:''<br>
*Information listed on vital records is given by an informant.&nbsp; Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.&nbsp; The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.  
*[[GuidedResearch:West Virginia|West Virginia Guided Research]]
*If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial.&nbsp; A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
*[https://archive.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetobirth.pdf ''Quick Guide to West Virginia Birth Records'']
*Records of African-Americans may be recorded in separate files with separate indexes.
*[[How to Find West Virginia Birth Records|How to Find West Virginia Birth Records]]
*Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records.&nbsp; Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records]]
*Search for Vital Records in the Family Hisotry Library Catalog by using a '''Place Search''' and then choosing '''Vital Records.'''&nbsp; Search for '''West Virginia '''to locate records filed by the State and then search the '''name of the county''' to locate records kept by the county.
*[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|United States Delayed Birth Records]]
*[[How to Find Birth Information in the United States|How to Find Birth Information in the United States]]
*[[United States, How to Use Birth Records|United States How to Use Birth Records]]
<gallery>
</gallery>


<div style="clear:both"></div>
=== Research Guides  ===


=== Marriage Records ===  
=== Lost and Missing Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''West Virginia Marriage Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Names of Bride/Groom**'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Marriage'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Presiding Official'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Times Married'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Dates/Places of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residences/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information<br>** May be previous married name of bride
|-
|}


Information in marriage records varies, depending on the purpose of each document, such as
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. Many of these records are found in the Family History&nbsp;Library catalog by searching for a particular county and then the vital records available for that county.&nbsp; See [[West Virginia Vital Records#County_Records_of_Births_and_Deaths|West Virginia county birth and death records]].
[[United_States_Marriage_Records#Marriage_Bonds|Bonds]], [[United_States_Marriage_Records#Applications_and_Licenses|licenses]], [[United_States_Marriage_Records#Returns_and_Registers|registers]], [[United_States_Marriage_Records#Returns_and_Registers|returns]],  [[United_States_Marriage_Records#Certificates|certificates]]. See [[United States Marriage Records]] for more information about information found in these records.<br>
<br>
'''Process'''<br>
*'''Before 1853''' — (while part of Virginia) A couple could receive approval to marry by posting a [[United_States_Marriage_Records#Marriage_Bonds|bond]]. The county clerk then gave the couple a license to be given to the civil authority or the minister who would perform the ceremony. Churches may have announced [[United_States_Marriage_Records#Marriage_Banns|banns]] instead. Marriage banns were announcements or publications of the intended marriage presented at three church meetings. This avoided the need to post a bond or obtain a license. The banns were recorded in the church records and the minister then performed the ceremony. A law passed in Virginia in 1780 required ministers to report all marriages to the county clerk.<br>
*'''1853 to present''' The clerk of the court in the county or independent city issued marriage [[United_States_Marriage_Records#Applications_and_Licenses|licenses]]. Couples or their parents applying for a license provided the following information for the bride and groom: (Beginning in 1858, a standard form was used).<br>
:*Full names
:*Ages
:*Places of birth and residence
:*Proposed marriage date and place
:*Whether single or widowed
:*Parents' names
:*Groom's occupation
:*Minister's name
<br>
''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].'' When eloping, couples would get married in alternate places instead of the county where they lived.<br> For those from West Virginia, these locations include:<ref>Arlene H. Eakle,"Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 11 January 2025).</ref><br>
:*[[Mason County, West Virginia|Point Pleasant, Mason, West Virginia]]  
:*[[Washington County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|West Alexander, Washington, Pennsylvania]]
:*[[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania]]
:*[[Pike County, Kentucky]]
:*[[Howard County, Maryland]]
:*[[Prince William County, Virginia|Manassas, Prince William, Virginia]]


=== Substitute Records  ===


''See also:''
These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.
*[[GuidedResearch:West Virginia|West Virginia Guided Research]]
*[https://archive.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetomarriage.pdf ''Quick Guide to West Virginia Marriage Records'']
*[[How to Find West Virginia Marriage Records|How to Find West Virginia Marriage Records]]
*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States How to Use Marriage Records]]
*[[West Virginia_Divorce_Records|West Virginia Divorce Records]]


<div style="clear:both"></div>
[[West Virginia Church Records|Church Records]]: Depending on the denomination, church records&nbsp;may contain information about birth, marriage and death.


=== Death Records ===
[[West Virginia Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information.&nbsp; These records may also reveal family relationships.
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''West Virginia Death Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Decedent'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Age/Date of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''State/Country of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Length of Residence'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Spouse'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Places of Parents'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Physician'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cause of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Informant'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cemetery'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less information
|}


[[United_States_Death_Records#Information_Found_on_a_Death_Certificate_or_Record|Death information]] can vary, depending on who reported to the county clerks. (Funeral home directors, medical examiners, physicians, hospitals, and relatives)
[[West Virginia Census|Census]]: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappear from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.  


''See also:''
[[West Virginia Newspapers|Newspapers]]: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices.&nbsp; Also check newspaper social columns for&nbsp;additional information.&nbsp;
*[[GuidedResearch:West Virginia|West Virginia Guided Research]]
*[https://archive.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetodeath.pdf Quick Guide to West Virginia Death Records]
*[[How to Find West Virginia Death Records|How to Find West Virginia Death Records]]
*[[United States Death Records|United States Death Records]]
*[[United States, How to Find Death Records|United States How to Find Death Records]]
*[[United States, How to Use Death Records|United States How to Use Death Records]]


[[West Virginia Periodicals|Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.


'''Cause of Death'''<br>
[[West Virginia Military Records|Military Records]]: Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information,&nbsp; In addition, soldiers' homes records can included this same information.  
*[[Historical Causes of Death|Causes of Death]] - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.
<gallery>
</gallery>


<div style="clear:both"></div>
[[West Virginia Probate Records|Probate Records]]: If no death record exists, probate records&nbsp;may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century&nbsp;often contain the exact death date.


== Additional Information ==
[[West Virginia History|History]]: Local histories, family&nbsp;histories&nbsp;and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the Family History Library catalog.


''See also:''<br>
=== More Online Links  ===
*[[West Virginia Guided Research|West Virginia Guided Research]]
*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]
*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
*McGinnis, Carol. ''West Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources. ''Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore: 1988. ({{FSC|302601|item|disp=FS Library book 975.4 D23m}} Appendix A.) {{WorldCat|1876698|At many libraries (WorldCat)}}
* [https://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=lva/vi01068.xml ''A Guide to the West Virginia Vital Statistics compiled by the Virginia Dept. of Health, 1853-1863''] at Archival Resources of the Virginias
* [https://www.wvgw.net/ WVGenWeb.org] and [http://usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm West Virginia Site] of USGenWeb.org


==Strategies==
These websites contain links to statewide and county vital record online pages.&nbsp; Some of these links may be duplicates of those already listed on this wiki page.
'''Tips for Using Vital Records'''<br>
*Certificate or record is not found:
#Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
#Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
#The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See [[West Virginia Vital Records#Burned, Lost, or Missing Records|Burned, Lost, or Missing Records]].
#The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. [[West Virginia Vital Records#Substitute Records|Substitute Records]].
*Examine the record to determine accuracy:
#Person providing information may not remember events accurately
#Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
#Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
#Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly
*Review the informant on the document:
#Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
#See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
#Verify vital information with other sources <br>
<br>
:''See also:''<br>
:* [[West Virginia Research Tips and Strategies]]
:* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]]
:* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]


*[http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html#West%20Virginia West Virginia databases] listed on [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ Rootsweb.com]&nbsp;- Free
*USGenWeb.org [http://www.wvgenweb.org/ West Virginia Site] - Free
*Linkpendium Links for [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/WV/ West Virginia Genealogy and History], including individual Counties&nbsp;-&nbsp;Free/$&nbsp;
*Progenealogists Links for the [http://progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthb.htm United States]. Press '''Ctrl + F''' on the keyboard to search for '''West Virginia''' or&nbsp;'''WV''' -&nbsp;Free/$
*Search the [http://www.ancestryinstitution.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=51&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true West Virginia Birth, Marriage &amp; Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $&nbsp;


===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===
*Some 1920 state copies of death #4501 through #5000, are not available. The relevant county courthouses should be able to provide county death records for them.<ref>From [https://archive.wvculture.org/history/vitalrecordsarticle.pdf '''West Virginia Vital Research Records Project'''], a .pdf describing the project to digitize vital records; paragraph 5 (on page 2, starting with "Regarding West Virginia state death certificates").</ref><br>
The following counties had record loss.  Click on the county for more information.<br>
{| style="width:70%; vertical-align:top;"
|-
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Barbour County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Barbour]]
*[[Berkeley County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Berkeley]]
*[[Boone County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Boone]]
*[[Braxton County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Braxton]]
*[[Cabell County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Cabell ]]
*[[Calhoun County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Calhoun]]
*[[Clay County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Clay]]
*[[Fayette County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Fayette]]
*[[Jefferson County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Jefferson]]
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Kanawha County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Kanawha]]
*[[Lewis County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Lewis]]
*[[Lincoln County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Lincoln]]
*[[Logan County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Logan ]]
*[[Mingo County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Mingo]]
*[[Monongalia County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Monongalia]]
*[[Morgan County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Morgan]]
*[[Pendleton County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Pendleton]]
*[[Pocahontas County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Pocahontas]]
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
*[[Preston County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Preston]]
*[[Randolph County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Randolph]]
*[[Roane County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Roane]]
*[[Tucker County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Tucker]]
*[[Wayne County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Wayne]]
*[[Webster County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Webster]]
*[[Wirt County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Wirt]]
*[[Wetzel County, West Virginia Genealogy#Record Loss|Wetzel]]
|}
<br>
<br>
''See also:''<br>
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.
<br>
===Substitute Records===
For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:
*[[West Virginia Substitute Records|West Virginia Substitute Records]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Birth_Information|Substitute Records for United States Birth Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_for_United_States_Marriage_Information|Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Death_Information|Substitute Records for United States Death Information]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
 
<references />


[[Category:West Virginia Vital Records]]
[[Category:West_Virginia|Vital]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]

Revision as of 13:33, 1 October 2010

United States  Gotoarrow.png  West Virginia  Gotoarrow.png  Vital Records


Introduction to Vital Records

Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. United States Vital Records has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the West Virginia Vital Records State Department of Health or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred.

 
Vital Records Collage.JPG
  

Vital Records Reference Dates[edit | edit source]

West Virginia's civil records start the following years:

Birth County Marriages Death
Earliest 1853-1900 1781 1853-1900
Statewide Registration 1917* 1853 1917*
General Compliance 1925 1853 1925
  • Fire destroyed many 1917-1921 records


West Virginia Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online[edit | edit source]

The following is a list of online resources useful for locating West Virginia Vital Records which consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths. Most online resources for West Virginia Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to confirm the information in the index.

  • West Virginia State-wide, County Birth, Marriage and Death Records are online at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, Archives and History. Their West Virginia Vital Research Records Project maintains a large and growing, statewide, online searchable database with index and digital images. SELECTED birth registrations from 1853 through 1908, death records from 1853-1970 as well as marriage registration and death and marriage certificates are available at NO COST. If you have West Virginian ancestors, it is more than worthwhile to explore the whole site and check back for new added data.
  • Browse for West Virginia Collections on FamilySearch Record Search  - Free
  • Order West Virginia Certificates online - $


State Records of Births and Deaths[edit | edit source]

Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1917 in West Virginia 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. [1]
  • Death certificates 1917-1973. [2]
  • Death indexes 1917-1991. [3]

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
Room 165
350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Phone: 304-558-2931
FAX: 304-558-8001

The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed at VitalRecords.com

Original West Virginia State-wide, County Birth, Marriage and Death Records from 1917-1956 are online at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Their West Virginia Vital Research Records Project maintains a statewide, online searchable database with digital images of selected birth registrations from 1853 through 1908, death records from 1917-1956 and marriage registration and death and marriage certificates. It is available at NO COST. The FamilySearch pilot databasealso utilizes the index, but not the document images, which are always useful and sometimes needed to clarify the occassional indexing error.

County Records of Births and Deaths[edit | edit source]

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. [4]Films are 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 Records[edit | edit source]

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 ten 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).

West Virginia Marriages 1853-1970; free searchable index available at FamilySearch - Pilot. Records include such information as bride and groom's names, birth date and birthplace, marriage place, clerk's name and sometimes the name of the father, and film and record numbers.

Early Marriage Laws[edit | edit source]

For information about marriage laws in Virginia (mother state of West Virginia) see Virginia Marriage Laws

Divorce Records[edit | edit source]

Divorce proceedings are kept by the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted.

Adoption Records[edit | edit source]

Additional Helps[edit | edit source]

Tips[edit | edit source]

  • Information listed on vital records is given by an informant.  Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.  The closer the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time of the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
  • If you are unable to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial.  A family Bible may have been used to record births, marriages and deaths.
  • Records of African-Americans may be recorded in separate files with separate indexes.
  • Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records.  Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
  • Search for Vital Records in the Family Hisotry Library Catalog by using a Place Search and then choosing Vital Records.  Search for West Virginia to locate records filed by the State and then search the name of the county to locate records kept by the county.

Research Guides[edit | edit source]

Lost and Missing Records[edit | edit source]

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. Many of these records are found in the Family History Library catalog by searching for a particular county and then the vital records available for that county.  See West Virginia county birth and death records.

Substitute Records[edit | edit source]

These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.

Church Records: Depending on the denomination, church records may contain information about birth, marriage and death.

Cemetery Records: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information.  These records may also reveal family relationships.

Census: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappear from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.

Newspapers: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices.  Also check newspaper social columns for additional information. 

Periodicals: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.

Military Records: Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information,  In addition, soldiers' homes records can included this same information.

Probate Records: If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date.

History: Local histories, family histories and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the Family History Library catalog.

More Online Links[edit | edit source]

These websites contain links to statewide and county vital record online pages.  Some of these links may be duplicates of those already listed on this wiki page.


References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Family History Library films beginning with FHL 1992300
  2. ↑ Family History Library films beginning with FHL 1984577
  3. ↑ Family History Library films beginning with FHL 1984577
  4. ↑ Ten microfilms (Family History Library film 034484-93)
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