Taylor County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description
Taylor County, West Virginia was created on 19 January 1844 from parts of Barbour, Marion, and Harrison Counties in Virginia. Taylor County remained part of Virginia until West Virginia was created as a state on 20 June 1863. The county seat is in Grafton, but was originally at Cross Roads. Cross Roads was renamed Williamsport 1 January 1801 and was again renamed on 23 January 1845 as Pruntytown. West Virginia became a state during the Civil War. Most of the records that were held in Virginia before West Virginia was admitted to the Union were transferred to West Virginia upon statehood, but some of the records from before 1863 may still be found in Virginia. The Tygart Valley River moves through Taylor County, and is the main waterway that provided sustenance to the farmers and other laborers in the County. Taylor County is historically the home of miners and freed former slaves. Taylor County is proudly the home of Mother’s Day founder Anna Jarvis.

County Courthouse
Taylor County Courthouse 214 W Main Street Grafton, WV 26354-1387 Phone: 304-265-1401 Taylor County Website County Clerk has birth, marriage, death, probate and land records from 1853. Circuit Court Clerk has divorce and court records.

Cemeteries

 * Smith Cemetery (Baptist) Pruntytown, Taylor County, West Virginia
 * Random Acts WV Cemetery Records Research Guide
 * 1867-2010 Grafton National Cemetery, 1867-2010 at Ancestry ($)
 * 1941 West Virginia Cemetery Readings, 1941, Ancestry ($)

Land and Property Records

 * 1844-1970 Land records on film and book at FHL covering 1844 to 1970: FHL Catalog

Local Histories

 * A History of Taylor County, West Virginia. Includes indexes after the topical histories and the family histories. Contains a history of the county and a large section of family histories. Includes roster of the dead at Grafton National Cemetery and wartime deaths of Taylor County serviceman. Taylor County Historical and Genealogical Society (Grafton, West Virginia).

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Maps of West Virginia (1617-1995)
 * Map of 1850 Virginia and West Virginia

Military Records

 * A history of all American wars in which Taylor County, West Virginia and her men had a part from the Revolution to World War II

Civil War

 * - 3rd Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry and Infantry) (Confederate). Company C.
 * - 9th Battalion, Virginia Infantry (Hansbrough's) (Confederate). Company A (Letcher Guard), Captain George W. Hansbrough's Company.

Records and histories are available, including:


 * 1861-1865 West Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865
 * 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)

Naturalization and Citizenship

 * 1814-1991  at FamilySearch — index and images

Probate Records
Online Probate Records


 * 1724-1978 West Virginia Wills and Probate Records 1724-1978 at Ancestry — index and images $
 * 1756-1971 at FamilySearch — index and images
 * 1844-1969 Taylor County, West Virginia Will Books 1844-1969
 * West Virginia Will Books

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

 * 1853-1969 West Virginia, Births Index, 1853-1969, Ancestry ($)
 * Searchable Birth Records, West Virginia Division of Culture and History

Marriage

 * 1785-1971 West Virginia Marriages Index, 1785-1971, Ancestry ($)
 * 1853-1863 Virginia Marriages, 1853-1863, Ancestry ($)
 * 1858-1884 Marriage, Taylor County, West Virginia Includes surname index. Marriage register, 1853-1878; register of Negro marriages, 1866-1877 and marriage licenses, 1858-1884
 * 1863-1900 West Virginia Marriage Records, 1863-1900, Ancestry ($)
 * Searchable Marriage Records, West Virginia Division of Culture and History

Death

 * 1853-1973 West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973, Ancestry ($)
 * Searchable Death Records, West Virginia Division of Culture and History

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to LDS Family History Centers

Societies

 * Taylor County Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. P O Box 522 Grafton, WV 26354

Websites

 * Taylor County, WV History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * 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