Taylor County, West Virginia Genealogy

Guide to Taylor 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 John Taylor of Caroline. The County is located in the north central area of the state.

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.

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

 * 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

 * 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

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

Marriage

 * 1776-1971 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1780-1970 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1785-1971 West Virginia Marriages Index, 1785-1971, Ancestry ($)
 * 1801-1962 West Virginia, United States Marriages at Findmypast — index $
 * 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

 * 1804-1999 at FamilySearch — index - How to Use this Collection
 * 1853-1964 West Virginia Death Index & Certificates, 1853-1964 at MyHeritage - index ($)
 * 1853-1973 West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973, Ancestry ($)
 * Searchable Death Records, West Virginia Division of Culture and History

Family History Centers

 * Introduction to Family History Centers

Societies
Taylor County Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. P O Box 522 Grafton, WV 26354 Phone: 304-265-5015 Taylor County Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.

Websites

 * Taylor 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