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Preston County, West Virginia
Genealogy, History & Facts

Preston County, West Virginia Facts

When was Preston County, WV Created?
Preston County was established on January 19, 1818 from Monongalia County.

What is the County Seat of Preston County, WV?
The County Seat is located in Kingwood and the county government website is http://www.prestoncountywv.org/

What counties are adjacent to Preston County, WV?
Bordering Counties are Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Garrett County, Maryland, Grant CountyTucker CountyBarbour CountyTaylor CountyMonongalia County.

What cities and towns are in Preston County, WV
Cities and towns located in the County include Horse Shoe Run, Howesville, Independence, Israel, Little Sandy, Manheim, Manown, Marquess, Mount Olivet, Mount Vernon, Orr, Pisgah, Pleasantdale, Preston, Rockville, Rodemer, Rohr, Ruthbelle, Saint Joe, Scotch Hill, Sell, Silver Lake, Sinclair, Snider, Stevensburg, Sugar Valley, Threefork Bridge, Turner Douglass, Valley Point, Victoria, West End, White Oak Springs, Zevely, Bruceton Mills, Reedsville, NewburgKingwoodMasontownRowlesburgTerra AltaAlbrightTunneltonBrandonville , Afton, Alpine Lake, Amboy, Arthurdale, Aurora, Austen, Borgman, Bretz, Cascade, Clifton Mills, Corinth, Cuzzart, Denver, Evansville, Fellowsville, Eglon, Gladefarms, Hazelton, Hopemont, Hopewell

Preston County, WV Vital Records

Where can find Preston County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Preston 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 Preston 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.

Preston County, WV Census Records

What Preston County, WV census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Preston County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 1820183018401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Preston Co. Mortality Schedules can be acquired for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Preston Co. Industry and Agriculture can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Preston 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

Preston County, WV Courthouse and Government Records

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

  • Preston County Courthouse (all departments listed below are located here, unless otherwise noted)
    • Address: 106 W Main St, Kingwood, WV 26537
  • Preston County Clerk
    • Phone: (304) 329-0070
    • Birth / Death Records: 1868
    • Marriage Records: 1869
    • Land Records: 1818
    • Probate Records: 1869
  • Preston County Clerk of Circuit Court
    • Phone: (304) 329-0047
    • Court Records: 1881

Preston County, WV Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

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

Preston Co. WV Books, Newspapers & Publications

Preston Co. WV Church & Cemeteries

Preston Co. WV Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Preston Co. WV General and History Websites

Preston Co. WV Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Preston Co. WV Military Records