Wayne County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description


Wayne County was named for Anthony Wayne. The county is located in the southwestern area of the state.

County Courthouse
Wayne County Courthouse 700 Hendricks Street Wayne, WV 25570 Phone: 304-272-6371 Wayne County Website County Clerk has birth and death records from 1853, marriage records from 1854, probate and land 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

 * Wayne County, West Virginia Transcribed Documents at Rootsweb

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records

 * 1842-1926 (*); County and Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1843-1859 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1843-1956 (*); Circuit Court, Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1888-1894 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Funeral Homes

 * Morris Funeral Home

Land and Property Records

 * Wayne County, Transactions West Virginia Deeds

Maps and Gazetteers

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

Civil War
Union


 * - 1st Regiment, West Virginia Light Artillery, Battery B Light Artillery.

Confederate


 * - 1st Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry) (Confederate). Companies A, C, and G.
 * - 2nd Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry) (Confederate). Company H.
 * - 4th Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry and Infantry) (Confederate). Company G.
 * - 8th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company K (Fairview Rifle Guards aka Sandy Rangers).
 * - 16th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Companies E, G, and H.
 * - 34th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (Witcher's Battalion, Virginia Mounted Rifles) (Confederate). Company A (Witcher's Company Virginia Mounted Rifles).
 * - 45th Battalion, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company F (K).

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)
 * 8th Virginia Calvary
 * Wayne County, West Virginia Civil War

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
 * 1843-1968 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1853-1881 (*); Works Progress Administration of West Virginia and Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1871-1933 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & 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 $
 * 1853-1863 Virginia Marriages 1853-1863 at Ancestry ($).

Death

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

Archives
West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture & History The Culture Center 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, E. Charleston, WV 25305-0300 Website

FamilySearch Centers

 * Huntington West Virginia FamilySearch Center

Libraries

 * Wayne County Public Library Website Multiple locations

Societies
Wayne County Genealogical and Historical Society P.O. Box 787 Wayne, WV 25570-0787 Cabell-Wayne Historical Society 630 1/2 – 7th Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 KYOWVA Genealogical Society 901 Jefferson Avenue P.O. Box 1254 Huntington, WV 25704 Email: [mailto:kyowvagen@yahoo.com kyowvagen@yahoo.com] Facebook

Websites

 * Wayne County WVGenWeb
 * Cyndi's List West 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