Clay County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description


Clay County was named for Henry Clay. The county is located in the central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Clay County Courthouse 207 Main Street Clay, WV 25043 Phone: 304-354-3661 Clay County Website County Clerk has birth, death, and marriage records from 1858.

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:

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records

 * 1858-1928 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1858-1960 (*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1870-1928 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1891-1927 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Funeral Homes

 * Wilson-Smith Funeral Home in Clay.

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
 * Clay County, West Virginia Map
 * Clay Country TrailsRus
 * Clay County, West Virginia

Civil War
Union


 * - 8th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry.

Records are available:


 * 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)


 * Clay County. Clerk of the County Court. Civil War burial records - FamilySearch Catalog

World War I

 * World War I Clay County

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

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1724-1985 West Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985 at Ancestry ($) — index & images
 * 1756-1971 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1776-1971 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1858-1899 (*); County Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1858-1899 (*); County Court and Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1858-1960 (*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1858-1991 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1858-1991 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1859-1989 (*); Clerk of the County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1870-1928 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * (*); Works Progress Administration of West Virginia at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images

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
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 ($)

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 $
 * Clay County, West Virginia Marriages

Death

 * 1804-1999 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1853-1964 West Virginia Death Index & Certificates, 1853-1964 at MyHeritage - index ($)

FamilySearch Centers

 * Charleston West Virginia FamilySearch Center

Libraries
Clay County Public Library 614 Main St PO Box 60 Clay, WV 25043 Phone: 304-587-4254 Email: [mailto:help@clay.wvlibrary.info help@clay.wvlibrary.info] Website Facebook

Societies
Clay County West Virginia Historical Society Clay, WV 25043 Phone: 304-587-7652 Facebook

Websites

 * Clay County WVGenWeb
 * Cyndi's List for West Virginia
 * Clay County, West Virginia Microfilms at the Library of Virginia
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * - 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