Kanawha County Public Library does not actively collect genealogical materials, though we do provide access to online genealogy tools. The emphasis of our physical collection is local history.
We collect the Charleston Daily Mail (1914 to current) and the Charleston Gazette (1924 to current) on microfilm held at the Main Library. Some miscellaneous film from older newspapers is also available. These collections are not indexed, so having a date is helpful.
Genealogy & Biography Resources
Newspapers, Records & Histories
WV Newspaper Microfilm at The WV Archives
This is a list of the cities collected by the Archives. Clicking on the county will display their holdings for that paper.
WV Archive Vital Records Project
The Archives is digitizing historic birth, death & marriage records. This is a work in progress & more is being added.
Harden & Harden Funeral Home
The Archive is home to the Harden & Harden Funeral Home records. This is an alphabetic name listing.
Central WV Genealogy & History Library
Focus on Lewis, Harrison, Monongalia, Barbour, Randolph, Upshur, Gilmer, Ritchie, Braxton, Marion, Doddridge, Nicholas & Webster.
Library of Congress Newspapers
The Library of Congress has scanned some newspapers, which can be searched for free.
Family Search's Kanawha Page
The Family Search genealogy site has a page for Kanawha County.
Genealogy Groups in Kanawha County
Family History Center of the LDS
Offering access to some of their genealogy databases at the Family History Center on McClure Parkway. Directions at website.
Online Genealogy Resources
West Virginia GenWeb Project
Volunteer-driven project that began in 1996. Users share their family and cemetery research.
The Tombstone Project
Links to county cemetery indexes. Does overlap with information listed WVGenWeb, but includes unique records as well.
Family Search
Free genealogy resources outside of Ancestry.com from the Latter Day Saints.
Cyndi's List (West Virginia)
Cyndi’s List is one of the earliest online internet genealogy resources. In addition to records for each state, the site also has wealth of help starting family history research.
Obituary Requests
You can request obituaries from the Charleston Daily Mail or Charleston Gazette, but only if you can provide a date of death. We do not have an index available, and obituaries are searched based on staff availability.
To request: send a letter with the name and date of death, your contact information, self-addressed stamped envelope, and one quarter for each obituary requested to:
Kanawha County Public Library
Attn: Obituary Request
123 Capitol St.
Charleston, WV 25301
Dictionary of American Family Names
Where does you last name come from? What does it mean? It is easy to find out with this dictionary.
Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History
FamilySearch
A family history website started by the Latter-day Saints for people doing genealogical research.
Newspaper Archives
Search back issues of the Charleston, Beckley, Bluefield, Fayetteville, Morgantown and Weirton digital microfilm. Available dates vary.
West Virginia State Archives
The WV State Archives collection is a powerful resource for the WV genealogist and history buff.
West Virginia State Archives Vital Records Project
The WV State Archives vital records project is bringing historic WV birth, marriage and death records to the web.