West Virginia Vital Records: Difference between revisions

VisualWikitext

Latest revision as of 12:02, 20 August 2025

West Virginia Wiki Topics

Beginning Research

Record Types

West Virginia Background

Cultural Groups

Local Research Resources

West Virginia Vital Records Dates

Government Registration	Births	Marriages	Deaths
County/Town	1853	County Formation	1853
Statewide Registration	1917	1964	1917
General Compliance	1925	County Formation	1925

Online Resources

Births

Pre-1853-1947 Births, Early to about 1947 at West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Index & images, dates vary by county^[1]
1800s-1900s West Virginia Births, 1800's to 1900's at Findmypast — index ($)
1804-1938 West Virginia Births Index, 1804-1938 at Ancestry — index ($)
1852-1930 Birth Certificates and Delayed Birth Certificates, 1852-1930 at FamilySearch Catalog - images
1853-1914 West Virginia Birth Index, 1853-1914 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
1853-1928 West Virginia Births and Christenings, 1853-1928 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
1853-1930 West Virginia Births, 1853-1930 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
1853-1969 West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969 at Ancestry ($)

Marriages

Pre-1971 Marriages, Early to about 1971 at West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Index & images, dates vary by county^[2]
1600s-1900s United States Marriages – West Virginia, 1600's to 1900's — index & images ($)
1776-1971 West Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1776-1971 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
1780-1970 West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
1780-1971 West Virginia Marriages at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
1785-1971 West Virginia Marriages Index, 1785-1971 at Ancestry — index ($)
1854-1932 West Virginia Marriages, 1854-1932 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
1863-1900 West Virginia Compiled Marriage Records, 1863-1900 at Ancestry — index ($)
1931-1970 West Virginia Marriage Index, 1931-1970 at Ancestry — index ($)

Deaths

Pre-1853-1972 Deaths, Early to about 1972 at West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Index & images, dates vary by county^[3]
1804-1999 West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
1853-1964 West Virginia Death Index & Certificates, 1853-1964 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
1853-1973 West Virginia Deaths Index, 1853-1973 at Ancestry — index ($)
1854-1932 West Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1854-1932 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
1883-1925 Fatalities in West Virginia Coal Mines at FamilySearch Library
1917-1973 Certificates of Deaths (West Virginia), 1917-1973; indexes, 1917-1991 at FamilySearch Catalog - images

Divorce

See West Virginia Divorce Records for more resources.

Get Copies

Restrictions:

Birth records are restricted for 100 years^[4]
Death records are restricted for 50 years^[5]
Marriage records are restricted for 50 years^[6]

West Virginia Vital Registration Office
350 Capitol Street, Room 165
Charleston, WV 25301-3701
Phone: (304) 558-2931
Email: dhhrvitalreg@wv.gov
Website

The Vital Registration Office retains births and deaths from 1917-present; delayed birth records; marriage indexes 1924-present; marriage records 1967-present.
Order forms: Birth, Marriage, Death

West Virginia Division of Culture and History
Archives and History Library
The Culture Center
1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E.
Charleston, WV 25305-0300
Phone: (304) 558-0230
Website

Search Vital Records (Interactive) for online birth, marriage, and death records from Archives and History Library
Holdings: County birth and death records; military and many other records for Family History^[7]
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. ^[8]

County Courthouses
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.

Links to county clerks. ^[9]
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.^[10]

Coverage and Compliance

Births

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.^[11]
Compliance was high almost immediately, because county officials continued the practice as when they were part of Virginia.

Marriages:

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:

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.^[12]
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

Birth Records

West Virginia Birth Records May Include*
Name of Child	x
Birth Date/Place	x
Sex/Race	x
Parents' Names	x
Parents' Birthplace	x
# of Children Born/Living	x
Residence/Occupation	x
Midwife/Doctor	x
* Early records may have less information

Information in birth records can vary, depending upon the person making the report (midwife, doctor, parent, etc.). County clerks collected and maintained the records.

Delayed Birth Records
Delayed birth records were created in the 1940s for adults without birth certificates in order to be eligible for Social Security benefits or for passports.

See also:

Marriage Records

West Virginia Marriage Records May Include:*
Names of Bride/Groom**	x
Date/Place of Marriage	x
Presiding Official	x
# of Times Married	x
Dates/Places of Birth	x
Residences/Race	x
Parents' Names	x
* Early records may have less information ** May be previous married name of bride

Information in marriage records varies, depending on the purpose of each document, such as Bonds, licenses, registers, returns, certificates. See United States Marriage Records for more information about information found in these records.

Process

Before 1853 — (while part of Virginia) A couple could receive approval to marry by posting a 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 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.
1853 to present The clerk of the court in the county or independent city issued marriage 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).

*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

Gretna Greens. When eloping, couples would get married in alternate places instead of the county where they lived.
For those from West Virginia, these locations include:^[13]

*Point Pleasant, Mason, West Virginia

*West Alexander, Washington, Pennsylvania

*Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania

*Pike County, Kentucky

*Howard County, Maryland

*Manassas, Prince William, Virginia

See also:

Death Records

West Virginia Death Records May Include:*
Name of Decedent	x
Date/Place of Death	x
Sex/Race	x
Occupation	x
Age/Date of Birth	x
State/Country of Birth	x
Length of Residence	x
Name of Spouse	x
Parents' Names	x
Birth Places of Parents	x
Physician	x
Cause of Death	x
Informant	x
Cemetery	x
* Early records may have less information

Death information can vary, depending on who reported to the county clerks. (Funeral home directors, medical examiners, physicians, hospitals, and relatives)

See also:

Cause of Death

Causes of Death - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.

Additional Information

See also:

West Virginia Guided Research
United States Vital Records
Locating United States Vital Records
McGinnis, Carol. West Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources. Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore: 1988. (FS Library book 975.4 D23m Appendix A.) WorldCat 1876698
A Guide to the West Virginia Vital Statistics compiled by the Virginia Dept. of Health, 1853-1863 at Archival Resources of the Virginias
WVGenWeb.org and West Virginia Site of USGenWeb.org

Strategy

Tips for Using Vital Records

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 Burned, Lost, or Missing Records.
The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. 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

* United States Basic Search Strategies

* United States Research Tips and Strategies

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.^[14]

The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.

See also:

Burned Counties Research for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.

Substitute Records

For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:

References

↑ Vital Record Availability at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county
↑ Vital Record Availability at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county
↑ Vital Record Availability at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county
↑ 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
↑ 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
↑ "Marriage records are confidential and not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 50 years old." accessed Jan 2025
↑ per VR office
↑ 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...."
↑ WVACO link from West Virginia Association of Counties
↑ West Virginia Archives and History News, VOL. VIII, No. 7 SEPTEMBER 2007
↑ Vital Statistics Overview at West Virginia Health Statistics Center
↑ Vital Statistics Overview West Virginia Health Statistics Center
↑ 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).
↑ From 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").

[1] Vital Record Availability at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county

[2] Vital Record Availability at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county

[3] Vital Record Availability at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county

[4] 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

[5] 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

[6] "Marriage records are confidential and not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 50 years old." accessed Jan 2025

[7] r VR office

[8] 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...."

[9] WVACO link from West Virginia Association of Counties

[10] West Virginia Archives and History News, VOL. VIII, No. 7 SEPTEMBER 2007

[11] Vital Statistics Overview at West Virginia Health Statistics Center

[12] Vital Statistics Overview West Virginia Health Statistics Center

[13] 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).

[14] From 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").

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{WV-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb
+{{WV-sidebar}}
+{{breadcrumb
 | link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
 | link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
@@ Line 6: / Line 7: @@
 | link5=[[West Virginia Vital Records|Vital Records]]
 }}
+<div style="width:23%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__
-== Introduction to Vital Records  ==
+</div>
+== West Virginia Vital Records Dates ==
-[[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.
+{| class="wikitable" width="40%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
-{| width="70%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
-|-
-| width="44%" | __TOC__
-| valign="middle" | <center>'''&nbsp; [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|350px|Vital Records Collage.JPG]]&nbsp;&nbsp; '''<br></center>
-=== Vital Records Reference Dates  ===
-West Virginia's civil records start the following years:
-{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
 |-
-| width="16.6%" align="center" |
+| width="10%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
-| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#State_Records_of_Births_and_Deaths|Birth]]'''
+| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]'''
-| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#Marriage_Records|County Marriages]]'''
+| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]'''
-| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#State_Records_of_Births_and_Deaths|Death]]'''
+| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="center" | '''[[West Virginia Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]'''
 |-
-| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Earliest
+| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | County/Town
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1853-1900
+| width="10%" align="center" | 1853
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1781
+| width="10%" align="center" | County Formation
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1853-1900
+| width="10%" align="center" | 1853
 |-
-| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Statewide Registration
+| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | Statewide Registration
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1917*
+| width="10%" align="center" | 1917
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1853
+| width="10%" align="center" | 1964
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1917*
+| width="10%" align="center" | 1917
 |-
-| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | General Compliance
+| width="10%" bgcolor="#b6ebfb" align="left" | General Compliance
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1925
+| width="10%" align="center" |  1925
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1853
+| width="10%" align="center" |  County Formation
-| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1925
+| width="10%" align="center" |  1925
-|}
+|-
-*Fire destroyed many 1917-1921 records
-<br>
 |}
-== Online West Virginia Birth, Marriage and Death Records  ==
+<div style="clear:left"></div>
-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/vrr/va_select.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.  '''NOTE:''' Some records between 1853 and 1863 that are missing from the index sometimes are found at the [[Library of Virginia|Library of Virginia]].
+== Online Resources ==
 ===Births===
-*'''1853-1914''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10688/west-virginia-birth-index-1853-1914 West Virginia Birth Index, 1853-1914] at MyHeritage - index ($)
+*'''Pre-1853-1947''' [https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ Births, Early to about 1947] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Index & images, dates vary by county<ref>[https://wvculturestage.wpengine.com/vital-record-availability/ Vital Record Availability] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county</ref>
-*'''1853-1928''' {{RecordSearch|1708695|West Virginia Births and Christenings, 1853-1928}} -Free name index with film copies available at the Family History Library
+*'''1800s-1900s''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/united-states-west-virginia-births West Virginia Births, 1800's to 1900's] at Findmypast — index ($)
-*'''1853-1930''' {{RecordSearch|1417341|West Virginia Births, 1853-1930}} -Free name index and images for county birth records.
+*'''1804-1938''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2537 West Virginia Births Index, 1804-1938] at Ancestry — index ($)
-*'''1853-1969''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2537 West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969] at Ancestry.com ($)
+*'''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===
-*'''1780-1970''' {{RecordSearch|1408729|West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970}} at [https://familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index
+*'''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>
-*'''1853-1970''' {{RecordSearch|1408729|West Virginia marriages, 1853-1970}} -Free name index and images to county marriage records.
+*'''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 ($)
-*'''1854-1932''' {{RecordSearch|1708701|West Virginia Marriages, 1854-1932}} -Free name index to West Virginia state marriage records. Film copies of these records are available at the Family History Library.
+*'''1776-1971''' {{RecordSearch|4375852|West Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1776-1971}} at FamilySearch - [[West Virginia, County Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+*'''1780-1970''' {{RecordSearch|1408729|West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Marriages, 1780-1970 - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
+*'''1780-1971''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20639/west-virginia-marriages?s=275764761 West Virginia Marriages] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
+*'''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 ($)
 ===Deaths===
-*'''1854-1932''' {{RecordSearch|1708700|West Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1854-1932}} -Free name index to state death records with film copies at the Family History Library.
+*'''Pre-1853-1972'''  [https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ Deaths, Early to about 1972] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History - Index & images, dates vary by county<ref>[https://wvculturestage.wpengine.com/vital-record-availability/ Vital Record Availability] at West Virginia Division of Culture and History, county by county</ref>
-*'''1853-1970''' {{RecordSearch|1417434|West Virginia Deaths, 1853-1970}} -Free name index and images for statewide and county death records.
+*'''1804-1999''' {{RecordSearch|1417434|West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
-*'''1853-1973''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2568 West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973] at Ancestry.com ($)
+*'''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 ($)
-*'''1853-1964''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10687/west-virginia-death-index-certificates-1853-1964 West Virginia Death Index & Certificates, 1853-1964] at MyHeritage - index ($)
+*'''1853-1973''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2568 West Virginia Deaths Index, 1853-1973] at Ancestry — index ($)
+*'''1854-1932''' {{RecordSearch|1708700|West Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1854-1932}} at FamilySearch — [[West Virginia Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
+*'''1883-1925''' [http://pages.swcp.com/~dhickman/wvcmf/wvcmf.html Fatalities in West Virginia Coal Mines] at FamilySearch Library
+*'''1917-1973''' {{FSC|712049|item|disp=Certificates of Deaths (West Virginia), 1917-1973; indexes, 1917-1991}} at FamilySearch Catalog - images
-===Order Certificates===
+===Divorce===
-*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/west_virginia.htm West Virginia Certificates] online <br>
+*See [[West Virginia Divorce Records|West Virginia Divorce Records]] for more resources.
-== Birth and Death Records ==
+== Get Copies ==
-'''Online Records'''<br>
+''Restrictions:''<br>
-''Births''<br>
+*Birth records are restricted for 100 years<ref>[https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/forms/Documents/birthfmnew.pdf Birth Certificate Order Form] from WV Department of Health states "Birth records are confidential and not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 100 years old." accessed Jan 2025</ref>
-*'''1853-1915''' -  [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_bcsearch.aspx Births, 1853-1915 - Vital Research Records Project] at [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx West Virginia Division of Culture and History] - Index and images, dates vary by county, [http://www.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetobirth.pdf Quick Guide to Birth Records]<br>
+*Death records are restricted for 50 years<ref>[https://dhhr.wv.gov/HSC/forms/Documents/deathfmnew.pdf Death Certificate Order form] from WV Department of Health states "Deathth records are confidential and not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 500 years old." accessed Jan 2025</ref>
-*'''1853-1914''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10688/west-virginia-birth-index-1853-1914 West Virginia Birth Index, 1853-1914] at MyHeritage - index ($)
+*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>
-''Deaths''<br>
-*'''1804-1999''' - {{RecordSearch|1417434|West Virginia Deaths, 1804-1999}} at [https://familysearch.org/search FamilySearch] — index
-*'''1853-1965''' -  [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_dcsearch.aspx Deaths, 1853-1965 - Vital Research Records Project] at [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx West Virginia Division of Culture and History] - Index and images, dates vary by county, [http://www.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetodeath.pdf Quick Guide to Death Records]
-*'''1883-1925''': [http://pages.swcp.com/~dhickman/wvcmf/wvcmf.html Fatalities in West Virginia Coal Mines] at LDS Family History Library
-=== State Records of Births and Deaths  ===
-Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1917 in [[West Virginia, United States Genealogy|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).
+'''West Virginia Vital Registration Office'''<br>
+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 Family History Library has microfilms of:
+*The Vital Registration Office retains births and deaths from 1917-present; delayed birth records; marriage indexes 1924-present; marriage records 1967-present.
+*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]
-*Birth certificates 1852-1930. <ref>{{FHL|748513|item|disp=FHL film 1992300}} </ref>
-*Death certificates 1917-1973 and Death indexes 1917-1991. <ref>{{FHL|712049|item|disp=FHL film 1984577}} </ref>
-You can also obtain state copies of birth and death records from 1917 to the present for a fee by writing to:
+'''West Virginia Division of Culture and History'''<br>
+Archives and History Library<br>
+The Culture Center<br>
+Kanawha Boulevard, E.<br>
+Charleston, WV 25305-0300<br>
+Phone: (304) 558-0230<br>
+[https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ Website]<br>
-[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
+*Search [https://wvculture.org/vital-records-interactive/ ''Vital Records (Interactive)''] for online birth, marriage, and death records from Archives and History Library
+*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>
-The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed at [http://www.vitalrec.com/ VitalRecords.com].&nbsp; Birth records do not become public records until 100 years have elapsed.&nbsp;All other records are public after 50 years.&nbsp; Access to records is restricted and confidential until these time periods have elapsed.
-Original West Virginia statewide, county birth, marriage and death Records from 1917-1956 are online at the [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.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. <br>
+'''County Courthouses'''<br>
+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>
-=== County Records of Births and Deaths  ===
+== Coverage and Compliance ==
+''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.
-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. It is important to understand the development of a county. If an ancestor lived in an area which began in one county, and then boundary changes moved that area into&nbsp;a second county, you many need to search both counties for records.
+''Marriages:''<br>
+*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
-The birth, marriage, and death records from 1853 to 1860. <ref> {{FHL|308753|item|disp=FHL film 034484, first of 10 films}} </ref>&nbsp;Films are arranged by county and listed in the FamilySearch Catalog under:
+''Deaths:''<br>
+*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.
-::WEST VIRGINIA - VITAL RECORDS.
+== Information in the Records ==
+=== Birth Records ===
+{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
+|-
+| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''West Virginia Birth Records May Include*'''
+|-
+| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Child'''
+| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |   x
+|-
+| 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
+|}
-Later records are listed under:
+[[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.
-::WEST VIRGINIA, [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS.
-A survey of county Historical Records was taken in the 1930's. This survey is helpful in determining which vital records survived into the 1930's. For an inventory of the West Virginia Historical Records Survey Archives see <br>
+'''Delayed Birth Records'''<br>
+[[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>
-*McGinnis, Carol. ''West Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources. ''Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore: 1988. ({{FHL|302601|item|FHL book 975.4 D23m}}Appendix A. {{WorldCat|1876698|At many libraries (WorldCat)}}
-=== Cause of Death ===
+''See also:''<br>
-*[[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
+*[[GuidedResearch:West Virginia|West Virginia Guided Research]]
+*[https://archive.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetobirth.pdf ''Quick Guide to West Virginia Birth Records'']
+*[[How to Find West Virginia Birth Records|How to Find West Virginia Birth Records]]
+*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records]]
+*[[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>
-== Marriage Records  ==
+<div style="clear:both"></div>
-'''Online Marriage Records'''<br>
-*'''Early to about 1971''' -  [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcsearch.aspx Marriages, Early to about 1971 - Vital Research Records Project] at [http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_select.aspx West Virginia Division of Culture and History] - Index and images, dates vary by county, [http://www.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetomarriage.pdf Quick Guide to Marriage Records]<br>
-*'''1674-1966''' - [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=west%20virginia United States Marriages – West Virginia, 1674-1966] ($) index and images
-*'''1785-1971''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2538 West Virginia, Marriages Index, 1785-1971] at [http://home.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] - Index only ($)
-*'''1863-1900''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4484 West Virginia Marriage Records, 1863-1900] at [http://home.ancestry.com/ Ancestry.com] - Index only ($)
-West Virginia marriages were recorded by the existing counties as early as 1780.&nbsp; 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.
+=== Marriage 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
+|-
+|}
-For marriage records from 1853 to 1860 see the ten microfilms described above under birth and death records.
+Information in marriage records varies, depending on the purpose of each document, such as
+[[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>
+{{Block indent|*Full names }}
+{{Block indent|*Ages }}
+{{Block indent|*Places of birth and residence }}
+{{Block indent|*Proposed marriage date and place }}
+{{Block indent|*Whether single or widowed }}
+{{Block indent|*Parents' names }}
+{{Block indent|*Groom's occupation }}
+{{Block indent|*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>
+{{Block indent|*[[Mason County, West Virginia|Point Pleasant, Mason, West Virginia]] }}
+{{Block indent|*[[Washington County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|West Alexander, Washington, Pennsylvania]] }}
+{{Block indent|*[[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania]] }}
+{{Block indent|*[[Pike County, Kentucky]] }}
+{{Block indent|*[[Howard County, Maryland]] }}
+{{Block indent|*[[Prince William County, Virginia|Manassas, Prince William, Virginia]]}}
-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).
+''See also:''
+*[[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]]
-'''West Virginia Marriages 1853-1970; '''free&nbsp;searchable&nbsp;index&nbsp;available at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/show?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fcatalog-search-api%3A8080%2Fwww-catalogapi-webservice%2Fitem%2F91976 FamilySearch]. 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.
+<div style="clear:both"></div>
-[[West Virginia County Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
+=== Death 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 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
+|}
-[[West Virginia Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
+[[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)
+''See also:''
+*[[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]]
-=== Early Marriage Laws  ===
+'''Cause of Death'''<br>
+*[[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>
-For information about marriage laws in Virginia (mother state of West Virginia) see [http://www.wvculture.org/history/ahnews/0604news.pdf Virginia Marriage Laws] . Virginia law required the posting of banns or a marriage bond in the county of the bride's residence. Bonds contain the name of the bride, groom and two bondsmen.&nbsp; Often, the groom was one of the bondsmen.&nbsp; Many of these record still exist. Early marriages were in the custody of the Clerk of the County Court.&nbsp; Ministers were required to submit a list of the marriages they performed at least every three months.&nbsp; These lists are called "marriage returns".&nbsp; Occasionally, the minister would turn in the list of marriages to one county when the marriages actually took place in a different county.&nbsp; Be sure to check the records of adjacent counties or even states if a marriage cannot be found where it is expected to be.
+<div style="clear:both"></div>
-'''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].''' When an '''eloping''' West Virginia couple's marriage is not in their home county (to avoid local restrictions), search for it in alternate places like:<ref name="Eakle1">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/ Arlene Eakle]</ref>
+== Additional Information ==
-:*[[Mason County, West Virginia|Point Pleasant, Mason, West Virginia]]
+''See also:''<br>
-:*[[Washington County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|West Alexander, Washington, Pennsylvania]]
+*[[West Virginia Guided Research|West Virginia Guided Research]]
-:*[[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Genealogy|Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania]]
+*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]
-:*[[Pike County, Kentucky]]
+*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
-:*[[Howard County, Maryland]]
+*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)}}
-:*[[Prince William County, Virginia|Manassas, Prince William, Virginia]]
+* [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
-== Divorce Records  ==
+==Strategy==
+'''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>
+{{Block indent|''See also:''<br>}}
+{{Block indent|* [[West Virginia Research Tips and Strategies]]}}
+{{Block indent|* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]]}}
+{{Block indent|* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]}}
-Divorces could only be granted by the Virginia legislature until 1851.&nbsp; The following book indexes divorces granted during this time period.
-*Pippenger, Wesley. Connections and Separations: Divorce, Name Change and other Genealogical Tidbits from the Acts of the Virginia General Assembly. Westminster, Maryland: Willow Bend Books, 2000.
-Legal separations could be granted by the county court. After 1851, divorce proceedings&nbsp;were kept by the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the divorce was granted.&nbsp;&nbsp; Divorces are not public record until 50 years after the divorce is granted. Petitions and other paperwork related to divorces are kept by the clerk of the circuit court.
-== Additional Helps  ==
-=== Tips  ===
-*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.
-*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.
-*Records of African-Americans may be recorded in separate files with separate indexes.
-*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.
-*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.
-=== Research Guides  ===
-Courtesy of the West Virginia State Archives
-*[http://www.wvculture.org/history/ahnews/0907news.pdf Vital Records in West Virginia: Deaths]
-*[http://www.wvculture.org/history/ahnews/1007news.pdf Vital Records in West Virginia: Births]
-*[http://www.wvculture.org/history/ahnews/1007news.pdf Vital Records in West Virginia: Marriages]
-*[http://www.wvculture.org/history/archives/vitalrecordsarticle.pdf West Virginia Vital Research Records Project]
-*[http://www.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetobirth.pdf Quick Guide to Birth Records]
-*[http://www.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetodeath.pdf Quick Guide to Death Records]
-*[http://www.wvculture.org/history/archives/quickguidetomarriage.pdf Quick Guide to Marriage Records]
-=== Lost and Missing Records  ===
-[[Image:Fire.png|thumb|right|110px]]
-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]].
-=== Substitute Records  ===
-These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.
-[[West Virginia Church Records|Church Records]]: Depending on the denomination, church records&nbsp;may contain information about birth, marriage and death.
-[[West Virginia Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information.&nbsp; These records may also reveal family relationships.
-[[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.
-[[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;
-*[[West Virginia Obituaries|Obituaries]]: Obituaries found in newspapers can list the age of the deceased, birth date and place, death date and place, and names of living relatives and their residences.
-[[West Virginia Periodicals|Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.
-[[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.
-[[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.
-[[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 FamilySearch Catalog.
-=== More Online West Virginia Vital Records Links  ===
-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.
-*[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
-*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 - ($)
-*[http://www.germanroots.com/vitalrecords.html#West_Virginia German Roots Online Birth, Marriage and Death Records] These links are for all records, not just records for those of German ancestry.&nbsp; -Free and ($)
-*[http://www.fhlfavorites.info/Links/USA_States/States_Frames/West%20Virginia/west_virginia.htm FHL Favorites for West Virginia] Scroll to United States-WV.
-*[http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-WV-NDX.html Vital Records Search and Information Directory for West Viriginia]&nbsp;-Free and ($)
+===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>
+''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]]
-== <br>Family History Library West Virginia Vital Records Collections  ==
+== References ==
+{{reflist}}
-<br>This is a collection of Family History Library records which are abstracted, indexed and titled the [[West Virginia Vital Records Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|West Virginia Vital Records Index.]] For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This index is an index of the births, marriages, and deaths throughout Kentucky. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region.
-These records are availble online for free at [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list/ FamilySearch Historical Records Collection].
-[[West Virginia Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
-== References  ==
-<references />
-{{West Virginia|West Virginia}} {{U.S. Vital Records}}
-=== <br>  ===
-'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''
-*[[West Virginia Births and Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records|West Virginia Births an Christenings - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
-*[[West Virginia Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|West Virginia Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
-*[[West Virginia Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|West Virginia Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
-*[[West Virginia County Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]]<br>
-*[[West Virginia County Death Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
-*[[West Virginia County Birth Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
-[[Category:West_Virginia, United States|Vital]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]
+[[Category:West Virginia Vital Records]]