Tazewell County Genealogy Records Search

Tazewell County Virginia holds genealogy records from its formation in 1799 and 1800, including marriage, land, probate, court, and divorce records. Located in southwestern Virginia along the West Virginia border, the county was carved from Wythe and Russell Counties. If you are searching for family records in this part of Appalachian Virginia, the Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk's office is where local genealogy research starts.

Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk

The Tazewell County Circuit Court Clerk's office is located in Tazewell, Virginia. The clerk's office is the main repository for local genealogy records and maintains all land, court, probate, marriage, and divorce records from 1800 forward. Staff at the clerk's office will help you find materials but do not conduct research on your behalf.

Tazewell County was created from Wythe County and Russell County on December 20, 1799, and named for Henry Tazewell, a U.S. Senator from Virginia. Parts of Russell County were added in 1807 and 1835. Parts of Washington County and Wythe County were added in 1826. Part of Logan County, West Virginia was added in 1834. These boundary changes mean that some families who lived in Tazewell County may have records originally filed in adjacent counties.

The county is bordered by McDowell County (North and West), Mercer County (Northeast), Buchanan County (Northwest), Russell County (West), Smyth County (South), and Bland County (East). Many of these bordering counties are in West Virginia. If your ancestors moved between southwest Virginia and what is now West Virginia, records may be split across both state archives.

Note: The Clerk's Office does not conduct genealogy research for visitors, but staff will assist people in finding the right materials once they arrive at the courthouse.

Genealogy Records in Tazewell County

The Library of Virginia is a key resource for Tazewell County genealogy, holding statewide birth, death, and marriage records as well as chancery court collections for many southwest Virginia counties.

Tazewell County records begin in 1800. Marriage records, land records, court records, and probate records all start from 1800. Divorce records begin in 1832. Birth records from 1853 to 1870 and death records from 1853 to 1871 are also held at the clerk's office. Military records from 1915 to 1918 and 1941 and 1944 are part of the collection as well. That military record set is useful for identifying ancestors who served in both World Wars.

The FamilySearch Tazewell County Genealogy wiki summarizes available records, date ranges, and where to find specific collections. The county includes the towns of Bluefield, Cedar Bluff, Pocahontas, Richlands, and Tazewell. Each of these communities may have additional local records such as church registers and town records that supplement the courthouse archive.

The county's coal mining history shaped the population in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Mining company records, company store records, and union records can sometimes help trace families who came to the area during the coal boom. These records are often held by regional archives or historical societies rather than the courthouse.

How to Search Tazewell County Genealogy Records

Visiting the clerk's office in Tazewell is the most direct way to access local genealogy records. The public records room is set up for self-service research. Staff can show you how to use the index books and deed volumes. Plan to spend time working through records yourself during your visit.

The Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness Tazewell County guide provides useful orientation information for researchers new to this county. RAOGK volunteers can sometimes help with specific record lookups if you cannot visit in person. The guide also lists local resources and contact information for the clerk's office.

For online searching, the Virginia Courts Case Information System allows you to look up more recent case records by name. The Library of Virginia's Virginia Memory platform has digitized collections from many southwest Virginia counties. Chancery records in particular can be very useful for genealogy because they often list family members, heirs, and property details in court filings.

Virginia's statewide birth and death registration began in 1912. For records before that year, the clerk's office and the Library of Virginia are your primary sources. After 1912, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records for certified copies of vital records.

Libraries and Research Resources

The Tazewell County Public Library serves local researchers. The library holds local history materials, newspaper archives, and some genealogy collections covering the county and surrounding region. For southwest Virginia research, the Clinch Valley College library archives and the University of Virginia's library also hold relevant materials.

The Library of Virginia in Richmond at 800 East Broad Street is the key statewide archive. It maintains birth and death records for 1853 to 1896 and marriage records prior to 1936 for many Virginia counties. Tazewell County records are part of the Library of Virginia collection. The Virginia Memory digital platform provides online access to many of these materials from home.

For southwest Virginia research, the Virginia Genealogical Society and local historical societies in Buchanan and Smyth Counties may have relevant publications. The Tazewell County area has a strong regional history community with published genealogies covering many local families. Check with the clerk's office or local library for available family history publications covering Tazewell County.

Note: Many Virginia counties offer free index searching online while requiring a subscription or in-person visit to view actual document images. Check with the Tazewell County clerk's office for current online access options.

Tazewell County Record History

Tazewell County was formed in December 1799 from Wythe and Russell Counties. The county was named for Henry Tazewell, who served as a U.S. Senator from Virginia. Early settlement in the county was driven by families moving through the valleys of southwestern Virginia. The early deed books and court orders from 1800 reflect those settlement patterns and the land grants that shaped the county's development.

The county's boundaries changed several times in its early decades. Parts of Russell County were added in 1807 and 1835. Washington County and Wythe County contributed territory in 1826. A section of what is now Logan County, West Virginia was included in Tazewell County in 1834 before West Virginia became a separate state during the Civil War. These boundary shifts can complicate genealogy research, as some families may appear in records from adjacent counties depending on when they lived in the area.

Coal mining transformed Tazewell County in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The county's population grew dramatically during the coal boom, and many families came from other states and regions to work the mines. That migration creates genealogy research challenges, as family origins may be in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, or other coal country states. Cross-referencing Tazewell County records with those of neighboring states can help researchers trace families who moved frequently for mining work.

Nearby Counties

These Virginia counties border Tazewell. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk with local genealogy records.