Wirt County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description
The County was named for William Wirt. The County is located in the west central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Wirt County Courthouse Washington Street PO Box 53 Elizabeth, WV 26143-0053 Phone:304-275-4271 Wirt County Website County Clerk has birth and death records since 1870, marriage records since 1870, probate and land records from 1848. Clerk of the Circuit Court has divorce 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:

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Land and Property Records

 * Homestead records, 1881-1904

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

Civil War

 * 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)
 * - 3rd Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry and Infantry) (Confederate). Company D.
 * - 14th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company N (Night Hawk Rangers).
 * - 20th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company H.
 * - 26th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company F.

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

Other Records

 * Register of inmates of county infirmary, 1888-1945

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and 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

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 $
 * 1848-1853 Marriage certificates and marriage bonds, 1848-1853
 * 1854-1863 Virginia Marriages 1854-1863 at Ancestry ($).
 * 1906-1936 Marriage consents, 1906-1936

Death

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

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Societies
Wirt County Genealogical & Historical Society P O Box 891 Elizabeth, WV 26143-0891 Email: [mailto:wirtcountyhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com wirtcountyhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com] Wirt County Genealogical & Historical Society

Websites

 * Wirt County, WV History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Cyndi's List for West Virginia
 * - 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