Preston County, West Virginia Genealogy

Guide to Preston County, West Virginia ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

Description
Preston County was named for James Patton Preston and is located in the north-central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Preston County Courthouse 101 West Main Street, #101 Kingwood, WV 26537 Phone: 304-329-0070 Preston County Website County Clerk has birth, marriage, deaths, probate and land records from 1869. Clerk of the Circuit Court has divorce and court records.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Bible Records

 * History of Preston with Bible References at Archive.org

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records

 * Chancery Index, 1869-1972 at FamilySearch - This is an index to loose paper folders arranged by surname of the plaintiff. Includes divorce, adoption, and delinquent lands.
 * Chancery orders, 1864-1932 at FamilySearch
 * Law order, 1869-1929 at FamilySearch - Includes and index within each volume. Includes some naturalization information.
 * Bonds, 1892-1924 at FamilySearch

Genealogies

 * Genealogy of Some Early Families in Grant and Pleasants Districts, Preston County, West Virginia. Baltimore, Md., 1977. Online at FamilySearch Digital Library.
 * Wotring - Bell, Raymond Martin and Mabel Ghering Granquist et al. The Wotring-Woodring Family of Pennsylvania. 3rd ed. Washington, Pa., 1968. Digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library;.

Land and Property Records

 * Deed Index, 1869-1960 at FamilySearch - Although all deeds were recorded after the courthouse burned in 1869, earlier deeds can sometimes be found if they were readmitted for record after the fire.
 * Deeds, 1854-1901 at FamilySearch
 * Surveyor's records, 1818-1917 at FamilySearch- this source includes property descriptions and drawing of tracts.

Legislative Petitions

 * Preston County Petitions to the Virginia Legislature at Virginia Memory - Petitions can be searched by County, Keyword, and Subject.

Local Histories

 * A History of Preston County, West Virginia. By Oren Frederic Morton. Kingwood, W. Va.: Journal Pub. Co., 1914.  Online at: Vol. I - FamilySearch Digital Library; Vols. I & II - Ancestry ($).
 * History of Preston County, West Virginia. By Samuel T. Wiley. Parsons, W. Va.: McClain Print. Co., 1968. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Ancestry ($).

Maps and Gazetteers

 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
 * Maps of West Virginia (1617-1995)
 * Map of 1850 Virginia and West Virginia

Revolutionary War

 * A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841. Digital versions at FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). 1967 reprint: 973 X2pc 1840. See Virginia, Western District, Preston County on page 136.
 * Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." 973 M24ur; digital version at Ancestry ($). Includes veterans from this county; Virginia section begins on page 238.

War of 1812
Preston County, Virginia (now West Virginia ) War of 1812

Civil War

 * - 3rd Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry and Infantry) (Confederate). Company D.

Records and histories are available, including:


 * 1861-1865  at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
 * 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)

World War II

 * 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1814-1991  at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection

Newspapers

 * The West Virginia Argus is available online at Chronicling America

Probate Records
Online Probate Records


 * 1724-1978 West Virginia Wills and Probate Records 1724-1978 at Ancestry ($) — index and images
 * 1756-1971 at FamilySearch — index and images - How to Use this Collection
 * 1869-1970 Wills, probate records, 1869-1970 at FamilySearch — includes the Index to Wills and Fiduciaries as well as Will books.
 * 1869-1930 Estate settlements - includes indexes, appraisals, inventories, sales, etc.

Social Security Records

 * 1935-2014 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.

Tax Records

 * Personal property tax lists, 1821-1850 at FamilySearch
 * IRS assessment lists for West Virginia, 1862-1866 at FamilySearch
 * Land book, 1818-1900 at FamilySearch - this source is records of taxes on real property.

West Virginia real and personal property tax records are managed by the County Assessor in each county. Land and land improvements are considered real property while mobile property is classified as personal property.

Many County Assessors offer an online searchable database, where assessment record searches can be performed by name, account number, year, or mp/parcel number. Where online records are not available, requests for records can be made to the Assessment Office in person, by phone, or in writing.

The search for tax information can start here

Vital Records

 * West Virginia Vital Records, 1865-1969 (varies) - Includes birth, death, and marriage.

Birth

 * 1853-1914 West Virginia Birth Index, 1853-1914 at MyHeritage - index ($)
 * 1853-1860 Vital Statistics, West Virginia at FamilySearch - unindexed births for Preston County begin with image 103

Marriage

 * 1776-1971 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1780-1970 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1801-1962 West Virginia, United States Marriages at Findmypast; index $
 * 1853-1860 Vital Statistics, West Virginia at FamilySearch - unindexed marriages for Preston County begin with image 174

Death

 * 1804-1999 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1853-1860 Vital Statistics, West Virginia at FamilySearch - unindexed deaths for Preston County begin with image 190
 * 1853-1964 West Virginia Death Index & Certificates, 1853-1964 at MyHeritage - index ($)

Family History Centers

 * Masontown West Virginia Family History Center

Societies
Preston County Historical Society P.O. Box 307 Rowlesburg, WV 26425 Preston County Historical Society Museum 215 Jackson Street Kingwood, WV 26537 Phone: 304-329-1468 Facebook

Websites

 * Preston County, WV History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Cindi's List
 * - The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records