Note To the Researcher: Until 1863, the area now known as West Virginia was part of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Library collections include some Virginia materials, but most pertain to what is now West Virginia. The Library is the premier resource for West Virginians and those with possible "roots" in the state.
Genealogical research in West Virginia should be approached with as much specific information as possible. A knowledge of geographic locations is essential as most materials are arranged by county. Staff members are available to assist with reference sources, research procedures and the use of records.
Reference Sources
A number of reference guides to records dating from the 1700s,
useful for initial genealogical research, are available. Among
these are:
Select printed records from other states include:
Primary State Records
When West Virginia became a state, records for the counties
remained within each county. Microfilm copies of original county
records are an important part of the library's collections. These
were filmed by and obtained from the Genealogical Society of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. All West Virginia
counties are included, however, some county records are incomplete.
Records include births and deaths (since 1853), marriages, wills,
deeds, surveys, estate records, and some circuit court records.
The only significant tax records available are land tax books and personal property tax records. The land records, originally maintained by the State Auditor's Office and prepared by county assessors, exist from the date of the counties' formations to the 1930s, and for almost one-half the state's counties through 1959. Personal property tax lists for select West Virginia counties through 1850 are available on microfilm. The original tax lists are retained at The Library of Virginia; 800 E. Broad St.; Richmond, VA 23219.
Some vital statistics, including death certificates (1917-1973) and delayed and regular birth certificates (c. 1880-1919) are available. More recent records are maintained by the Vital Registration Office, Room 165, 350 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301-3701; phone number (304) 558-2931.
Census Records
Most West Virginia and Virginia census records are available on
microfilm prepared by the National Archives. The census of
Virginia, which includes those counties now in West Virginia, is
available for the years 1790 and 1810-1860. Also available are the
Virginia census for 1870 and slave schedules for 1850 and 1860.
West Virginia census records include the years 1870, 1880, 1900,
1910, 1920, 1930, and the 1890 Special Census of Union Veterans and
Widows. Census microfilm from other states may be obtained
through the Library's affiliation with national film rental
programs. There is a rental fee for each roll requested. The film
must be used in the Library during the loan period.
Military Records
Records of service in the colonial wars, the Revolutionary War and
the War of 1812 can be found in lists of pensioners and in printed
sources such as:
The records and index to West Virginia Union troops (1861-1865) are available on microfilm. Arranged by regiment and company, information consists of name, age, residence, date and place of enlistment and discharge, and brief notes concerning some men's service. Confederate records of Virginia and West Virginia, with index, are available on microfilm. Other records on microfilm include the veterans' burial file, containing information on servicemen interred in the state prior to 1936. Several printed Civil War regimental histories are also available. Spanish-American War records are in the printed Report of the Adjutant General, 1899-1900. Records from the Adjutant General's Office provide muster information on men in the National Guard from 1890 through World War I and other World War I enlistments.
Additional military records for U. S. military service, especially for 20th-century military engagements, are maintained by the Office of the Adjutant General, 1703 Coonskin Drive, Charleston, WV 25311-1085; the National Archives, Washington, D.C. 20408; and the Military Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132.
County, Community and Family
The Library's collection contains a broad selection of county
histories for West Virginia, community histories, published court
records, census records, cemetery readings, and state daily and
weekly newspapers. The Library has an extensive collection of
family histories, many donated by the researchers and compilers.
The Library also maintains some family and local histories from
adjacent states.
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan service is limited because of the Library patron
demand and the rare book value of many titles in the
collection.
Books will be loaned to West Virginia public, college and
university libraries, for use in their facility, if more than one
durable copy is in the Library's collection. Other materials are
not loaned because of their constant use in the Library.
Interlibrary loan requests for books from other libraries are
processed by the Archives and History Library for use in the
Library. Patrons are to assume any costs for service and must
comply with the lending regulations.
Fees
Photocopying is done by the Library staff within the limits of the
Copyright Law and the condition of the material. Standard fee for
regular and legal size photocopies is 25 cents. Reader-printer
microfilm copies are 50 cents per exposure. Oversize document
copies require additional fees, which are available upon request.
Birth and death certificate copies are $2.50 per document.
Certification of copied records is $2.50 per document.
Research
Requests
Effective January 15, 2005
A non-refundable fee of $15.00 must accompany each out-of-state
research request. The fee covers up to $2.50 in copies and postage.
Additional costs will be billed. There is a $5.00 research fee
for in-state patron requests.
The Archives will not answer e-mail research requests. All research requests must be submitted in writing to the Archives and History Library; The Cultural Center: 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E.; Charleston, WV 25305-0300.
Current fees are subject to change. A listing of all Library fees is available upon request.
The Library staff is unable to do more than limited research through correspondence. Inquiries must be limited to two SPECIFIC requests. Inquiries should provide full name, county of residence, approximate dates and documents requested. For example, "Send me anything on the Smith family" is not a serviceable request. Requests requiring more extensive research will be sent names of individuals who perform this service for a fee.
West Virginia State
Archives