Calhoun County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description
Calhoun County was named for John C. Calhoun. The county is located in the central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Calhoun County Courthouse Main Street P O Box 230 Grantsville, WV 26147 Phone: 304-354-6725 Calhoun County Website County Clerk has birth, marriage, death from 1856; land records from 1856.

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:

Census Records

 * 1860 Census takers recorded the birth town or county of residents this census year.
 * Calhoun County 1860 Federal Census at WVGenWeb
 * Calhoun County 1870 Federal Census at WVGenWeb
 * Calhoun County 1880 Federal Census at WVGenWeb
 * Calhoun1890 Federal Census of Veteran & Widows at WVGenWeb
 * Calhoun 1900 1900 Federal Census at WVGenWeb

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records

 * 1856-1861 (*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1856-1877 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1856-1877 (*); Historical Records Survey and County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1856-1975 (*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1856-1992 (*); Clerk of the County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1873-1930 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Funeral Homes

 * Stump Funeral Home and Cremation, Inc. in Arnoldsburg and Grantsville.

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

Local Histories

 * History of Calhoun County

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
 * Calhoun County, West Virginia Map
 * Calhoun County, West Virginia Map 1895
 * Calhoun County, West Virginia Map 2

Civil War

 * - 3rd Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry and Infantry) (Confederate). Company A (Moccasin Rangers), Company D.
 * - 14th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company E.
 * - 19th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company A (The Moccasin Rangers).

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 Hur Herald

Obituaries

 * Calhoun County WV GENWEB Obituaries

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
 * 1817-1913 (*); Historical Records Survey and County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1856-1969 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1856-1975 (*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1856-1992 (*); Clerk of the County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1879-1938 (*); Clerk of the County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1881-1926 (*); Clerk of the County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1891-1927 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * (*); Works Progress Administration of West Virginia at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

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.
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

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 ($)
 * Calhoun County Births, WVGenWeb

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 $

Death

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

Libraries
Calhoun County Public Library 250 Mill St PO Box 918 Grantsville, WV 26147 Phone: 304-354-6300 Email: [mailto:amyallen@mail.mln.lib.wv.us amyallen@mail.mln.lib.wv.us] Website Facebook

Societies
Calhoun County Historical and Genealogical Society 342 Main St PO Box 242 Grantsville, WV 26147-0242 Phone: 304-354-7263 Email: [mailto:calhounhistorical@gmail.com calhounhistorical@gmail.com] Website Facebook

Websites

 * Calhoun County WVGenWeb
 * Cyndi's List for West Virginia
 * Microfilms at the Library of Virginia
 * Welcome to Calhoun County WV History and Genealogy
 * 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