Webster County, West Virginia Genealogy

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

Description
Webster County was named for Daniel Webster. The county is located in the central area of the state.

County Courthouse
Webster County Courthouse 2 Court Sq, #G1 Webster Springs, WV 26288 Phone:304-847-2508 Webster County Website County Clerk has birth, marriage, death, burial, probate, and land records from 1887.

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:

Census Records

 * 1870 Webster County, WV 1870 Federal Census Index

Church Records
List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * Churches of Webster County, West Virginia
 * Churches in Webster County, Yellow Pages
 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records

 * 1875-1926 (*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1888-1929 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1888-1991 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images

Funeral Homes

 * Dodd and Reed Funeral Home in Cowen and Webster Springs.
 * Funeral Homes in Webster County at RootsWeb.
 * Morris Funeral Home in Cowen.

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records


 * Deed index, 1888-1969 and deed books, 1798-1902
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

Local Histories

 * Webster County, West Virginia History
 * Webster County, West Virginia History

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
 * Webster County Map
 * Webster County, West Virginia 1895 Map

Revolutionary War

 * Webster County Military
 * Civil War and Rev War for Webster County

Civil War

 * - 3rd Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry and Infantry) (Confederate). Companies B and I.
 * - 9th Battalion, Virginia Infantry (Hansbrough's) (Confederate). Company B (Capt. William H. Mollohan's Company).

Records and histories are available, including:


 * 1861-1865 - 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)
 * Civil War and Rev War for Webster County

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

Newspapers

 * Webster County, Newspaper Articles

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
 * 1865-1938 (*); County Court and Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1875-1926 (*); Circuit Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1888-1935 (*); County Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1888-1964 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1888-1991 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * 1892-1942 (*); County Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * (*); Historical Records Survey at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * Wills of Webster County at Rootsweb
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

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.
 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

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 ($)
 * Webster County, West Virginia Birth Records

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 $
 * Webster County, West Virginia Marriage Records

Death

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

FamilySearch Centers

 * Buckhannon West Virginia FamilySearch Center

Libraries
Cowen Public Library 47 Mill St PO Box 187 Cowen, WV 26206 Phone: 304-226-5332 Email: [mailto:cowenpubliclibrary@gmail.com cowenpubliclibrary@gmail.com] Website Website Facebook Webster-Addison Public Library 331 S Main St Webster Springs, WV 26288-1123 Phone: 304-847-5764 Email: [mailto:websteraddisonlibrary@gmail.com websteraddisonlibrary@gmail.com] Website Facebook

Societies
Webster County Historical Society, Inc. 128 N Union St Webster Springs, WV 26288 Phone: 304-847-5269 Website Facebook

Websites

 * Cyndi's List for West Virginia
 * Webster County WVGenWeb
 * Hacker's Creek Pioneer Descendants, Inc
 * Webster County, West Virginia Archives & History
 * 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