Clay County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description


The County was named for Henry Clay. The County is located in the central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Clay County Courthouse 207 Main Street Clay, WV 25043 Phone: 304-354-3661 Clay County Website County Clerk has birth, death, and marriage records from 1858.

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
 * Clay County Churches
 * FamilySearch Places

Funeral Homes

 * Funeral Homes in West Virginia search by city.

Local Histories

 * Clay County History
 * Clay County Town Histories

Maps and Gazetteers

 * FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns- How to Use FS Places
 * Maps of West Virginia (1617-1995)
 * Map of 1850 Virginia and West Virginia
 * Clay County, West Virginia Map
 * Clay Country TrailsRus
 * Clay County, West Virginia

Civil War
Union


 * - 8th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry.

Records are available:


 * 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 I

 * World War I Clay County
 * Clay County Soldiers Killed in Action

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


 * 1724-1978 West Virginia Wills and Probate Records 1724-1978 at Ancestry.com — 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.

Marriage

 * 1780-1970 - at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1801-1962 - West Virginia, United States Marriages at FindMyPast — index $
 * Clay County, West Virginia Marriages

Death

 * 1804-1999 - at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Libraries

 * Clay County Public Library

Societies

 * Clay County, West Virginia Historical Society

Websites

 * Clay County, WV History, Records, Facts and Genealogy
 * West Virginia Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Cyndi's List for West Virginia
 * Clay County, West Virginia Microfilms at the Library of Virginia
 * Clay County, West Virginia Families
 * Neal's of Clay and Nicholas Counties, 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