West Virginia Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of name indexes of West Virginia statewide and county death records. The statewide death index covers years 1917-1956 and includes all 55 West Virginia counties. The county deaths index covers years 1853-1970. Data is searchable for all state and county records. However, records within each county may not be available for the full year range.

Collection Content
Death entries were recorded in pre-printed register books containing many entries per page beginning in 1853. Earlier records were handwritten. They were usually typewritten by 1930. After 1917, death records were submitted to the state on individual certificates, while registers were maintained in the counties.

Clerks of each County Court recorded deaths beginning in 1853, when West Virginia was part of Virginia. West Virginia began collecting deaths from the counties in 1917. Most deaths in the counties were recorded because of the legal requirement for registration.

The state required counties to begin recording deaths to track public health issues. The death date, residence, and other facts that were current at the time the death occurred are quite reliable, though there is the chance of misinformation. Other data, such as date and place of birth, have more chance of error due to the lack of knowledge of the informant, transcription errors, and other circumstances.

The State of West Virginia has death certificates for 1917 through 1973 at West Virginia Division of Culture and History in Charleston, West Virginia. The original county records are generally located in the courthouse for each county.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
To use these records it is helpful to know the following:
 * The name of the person at the time of death
 * Other identifying information such as the approximate death date or the place where the death occurred

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * If available, check the image for additional information
 * Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby localities
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of West Virginia.
 * West Virginia Guided Research
 * West Virginia Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step West Virginia Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * West Virginia. Division of State Statistics. Certificates of deaths, 1917-1973; indexes, 1917-1991
 * West Virginia. Division of State Statistics. Disinterment and reburials, 1980-1993
 * Barbour County, West Virginia, death records : 1854-1883 Historical Records Survey
 * compiled by members West Virginia Genealogical Society, West Virginia cemeteries 2 volumes. Elkview, West Virginia : West Virginia Genealogical Society, 2000-2004 FS Library 975.4 V3w

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * West Virginia Historical Records Survey, Division of Community Service Programs, Works Projects Administration. Inventory of public vital statistics records in West Virginia. 2 volumes. Charleston, West Virginia : West Virginia Historical Records Survey, 1941-1942

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.