West Virginia, U.S., Births Index, 1804-1938

This database contains an index extracted from microfilmed copies of various West Virginia birth records.

What’s in the Index

West Virginia counties began recording births, marriages, and deaths in 1853, in accordance with Virginia state laws. Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1917. Births were recorded at the county level in registers, and compliance with the law—and, thus, the percentage of births registered—increased over time.

Details listed in this index were extracted from West Virginia birth records and may include

• name
• birth date
• birthplace
• christening date
• christening date
• age at christening
• race/ethnicity
• gender
• death date
• age at death
• mother’s name, age, birthplace
• father’s name, age, birthplace
• maternal grandparents
• paternal grandparents
• FHL film number

The FHL film number refers to a microfilm copy of the source held by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.