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Kanawha County, West Virginia
Genealogy, History & Facts

Kanawha County, West Virginia Facts

When was Kanawha County, WV Created?
Kanawha County was established on November 14, 1788 from Greenbrier County and Montgomery County.

What is the County Seat of Kanawha County, WV?
The County Seat is located in Charleston and the county government website is http://www.kanawha.us/

What counties are adjacent to Kanawha County, WV?
Bordering Counties are Roane CountyClay CountyNicholas CountyFayette CountyRaleigh CountyBoone CountyLincoln CountyPutnam CountyJackson County.

Kanawha County, WV Vital Records

Where can find Kanawha County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Kanawha County vital records can be found at the West Virginia Office of Vital Records which has copies of birth and death records from January 1917 to present; marriage records from 1921 to present and divorce records from 1968 to present. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in West Virginia for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Kanawha County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for West Virginia Birth CertificateMarriage CertificateDeath Certificate Applications to mail.

Kanawha County, WV Census Records

What Kanawha County, WV census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Kanawha County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1790180018101820183018401850186018701880189019001910192019301940.

Kanawha Co. Mortality Schedules can be acquired for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Kanawha Co. Industry and Agriculture can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Kanawha Co. Union Veterans Schedules can be obtained for 1890. One can find free down-loadable and also printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also West Virginia Census Records Research Guide

Kanawha County, WV Courthouse and Government Records

What genealogical records can I find in the Kanawha County Courthouse?
The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also West Virginia Courthouse Records Research Guide.

  • Kanawha County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 407 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV 25301
  • Kanawha County Clerk
    • Phone: (304) 357-0130
    • Birth / Death Records: 1853
    • Marriage Records: 1792 (Marriages for 1844-49 are not missing. The ledger is mislabeled. These years are recorded in correct chronological sequence in the ledger)
    • Land Records: 1790
    • Probate Records: 1789
  • Kanawha County Clerk of Circuit Court
    • Phone: (304) 357-0440
    • Court Records: 1773

Kanawha County, WV Societies and Family History Resources

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

Where can I connect with other Kanawha County, WV Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Kanawha County, WV?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Kanawha County. Each of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Business oriented Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some have to have a payment. This is basically a list which has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another.

Kanawha Co. WV Books, Newspapers & Publications

Kanawha Co. WV Church & Cemeteries

Kanawha Co. WV Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Kanawha Co. WV General and History Websites

Kanawha Co. WV Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Kanawha Co. WV Military Records