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McDowell County, West Virginia
Genealogy, History & Facts

County Vital Records ∣ County Census Records ∣ County Courthouse and Government Records ∣
County Societies, Family History Resources and County Genealogy Links

McDowell County, West Virginia Facts

When was McDowell County, WV Created?
McDowell County was established on February 28, 1858 from Tazewell County (Virginia).

What is the County Seat of McDowell County, WV?
The County Seat is located in Welch and the county government website is http://www.mcdowellcounty.wv.gov

What counties are adjacent to McDowell County, WV?
Bordering Counties are Wyoming County, Mercer County, Tazewell County, Virginia, Buchanan County, Virginia, Mingo County.

McDowell County, WV Vital Records

Where can find McDowell County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
McDowell 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 McDowell County Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Records. You can also Order Electronically Online or can download an application for West Virginia Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Death Certificate Applications to mail.

McDowell County, WV Census Records

What McDowell County, WV census records are available?
There are many types of census records for McDowell County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1860, 1870, 1880 (free index), 1890 (fragment), 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940.

McDowell Co. Mortality Schedules can be acquired for 1860, 1870 and 1880. McDowell Co. Industry and Agriculture can be found for 1860, 1870 and 1880. McDowell 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

McDowell County, WV Courthouse and Government Records

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

  • McDowell County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 90 Wyoming Street STE , Welch, WV 24801
  • McDowell County Clerk
    • Phone: 304-436-8544
    • Birth / Death Records: 1872 / 1894
    • Marriage Records: 1859
    • Land Records: 1868
    • Probate Records: 1893
  • McDowell County Clerk of Circuit Court
    • Phone: 304-436-8560
    • Court Records: 1859

McDowell County, WV Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

What other genealogical resources are available in McDowell County, WV?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to McDowell 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.

McDowell Co. WV Books, Newspapers & Publications

McDowell Co. WV Church & Cemeteries

McDowell Co. WV Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

McDowell Co. WV General and History Websites

McDowell Co. WV Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

McDowell Co. WV Military Records