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Wise County, Virginia
Genealogy, History & Facts

Wise County, Virginia Facts

When was Wise County, VA Created?
Wise County was established on February 16, 1856 from Lee CountyRussell County and Scott County.

What is the County Seat of Wise County, VA?
The County Seat is located in Wise also, the county government website is www.wisecounty.org/ .

What counties are adjacent to Wise County, VA?
Bordering Counties are Letcher County, Kentucky, Pike County, Kentucky, Dickenson CountyRussell CountyScott CountyLee CountyHarlan County, Kentucky.

Wise County, VA Vital Records

Where can find Wise County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Wise County vital records can be found at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Vital Records which has Birth and Death Records since June 14, 1912 and copies of Marriage and Divorce Records since 1918 to present. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Virginia for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Wise County BirthMarriageDivorce or Death Records. You can also order Order Electronically Online or you can download an application for copies of Wise Co. Virginia Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Death Certificate Applications to mail.

The Archives Division has copies of surviving birth and death records for the period 1853 to 1896 and marriage records prior to 1936. Another resource is the Wise County and City of Norton Health Department, 134 Roberts Avenue, SW, Wise, Virginia 24293; (276) 328-8000

Wise County, VA Census Records

What Wise County, VA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Wise County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Wise Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Wise Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1860, 1870 and 1880. Wise Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. The Slave Schedules exist for 1860. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Virginia Census Records Research Guide

Wise County, VA Courthouse and Government Records

Wise County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Wise County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Wise County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Virginia Courthouse Records Research Guide.

  • Wise County Clerk of Circuit Court
    • Address: P. O. Box 1248, 206 East Main Street, Wise, VA 24293-1248
    • Phone: (276) 328-6111
    • Marriage Records: 1856
    • Land Records: 1856
    • Court Records: 1856
    • Probate Records: 1856
  • Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850
  • Using County and City Court Records in the Archives at the Library of Virginia
  • County and City Research in Virginia Guides and Indexes – County and city records document the daily activities of the courts in Virginia’s counties, independent cities, and towns. The Library of Virginia houses both original and microfilm records for many of Virginia’s counties and independent cities. The guides list will help researchers navigate the complex variety of county and city records in the Library’s collections. It includes County and City Records at the Library of Virginia, Using County and City Court Records, Chancery Cases, Judgments, Lost Records Localities database and Burned Jurisdiction database.
  • Virginia County Records, VolumeVIVII , IXX – The records in these series were compiled as part of a series known as the Virginia County Records . The volume includes wills, land grants, and marriage bonds as well as other miscellaneous information on early Virginia settlers.
  • BLM Land Records

Wise County, VA Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Wise County, VA?
A list of Wise County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Virginia Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Wise County, VA Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Wise County, VA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Wise County. A lot of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some call for a fee. This is just a listing which has been compiled or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another.

Wise Co. VA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Wise Co. VA Church / Bible Records & Cemeteries / Graveyards

Wise Co. VA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Wise Co. VA General and History Websites

Wise Co. VA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Wise Co. VA Military Records