Genealogy
Virginia Room
The Virginia Room is located in the main library in Tazewell, VA. It includes over 2000 books and microfilm in its collection that are available to use by the public for researching genealogy or local history. These resources mainly cover Tazewell County and southwest Virginia. The collection includes population census records, marriage records, family histories, Sanborn Maps, yearbooks, and Polk Directories.
These materials in the Virginia Room CANNOT be checked out. Some of the books are available in our circulating collection.
The Virginia Room is unavailable since the Tazewell Library is closed for renovation. Please contact Assistant Director Chris Wilkes if you have genealogy questions.
Ancestry Library Edition
Are you interested in researching your family history? Ancestry.com is a great place to start. It has billions of records that include censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps, and more. At the library, you can access all of Ancestry.com’s online record for free.
In library use only, at any library location.
Heritage Hub
Explore your family history with the premier collection of U.S. obituaries and death notices for in-depth genealogical research from 1704 – today. HeritageHub helps you easily identify relatives, uncover new information and potentially unknown family members. Includes deep coverage from all 50 states, hard-to-find content from the
Library card number required for access outside the library.
Heritage Quest
This essential collection of unique material is for both genealogical and historical researchers, with coverage dating back to the late 1700s. Use Heritage Quest to find your ancestors, trace their paths across America, and learn what life was like in the areas where they settled.
Library card number required for access outside the library.
Tazewell County History
Tazewell County Circuit Court: The Tazewell County Circuit Court has the original documents for Births & Deaths, Wills, Marriages, Deeds, and Court Orders. You can call them at (276) 385-1222.
Tazewell County Historical Photographs: TCPL has over 3500 photographs in our photographic collection. Search an index of these photographs at the Library of Virginia’s website.
Annuals of Tazewell County, VA by John Newton Harman, Sr: This digital edition provides extensive information about Tazewell County history and genealogy in the nineteenth and early twentieth century.
Virginia Department of Historic Resources – Tazewell County: Read the applications and see photos of Tazewell County locations that have been added to the National Registry of Historic Locations.
Virginia Department of Historic Resources – Historic Highway Markers: Search through a database to find locations and pictures for all the historic highway markers in Virginia, including Tazewell County.
History of Tazewell County and Southwest Va by Pendleton: This digital edition includes information about Tazewell County and Southwest Virginia from the mid-eighteenth century to the early twentieth century.
Sanborn Maps: Tazewell County: Sanborn Maps were created for fire insurance purposes and usually have detailed maps of towns and cities from the late 1800s and early 1900s. You will find Sanborn Maps from Tazewell, Bluefield, Richlands, and Pocahontas.
Tazewell County by Louise Leslie: This digital edition includes information about the history of Tazewell County in the nineteenth and twentieth century.
Tazewell County Historical Society: The historical society has a great group of volunteers that can help you with your genealogical or historical questions.
Tazewell County Yearbooks: See digitized copies of various Tazewell County school yearbooks.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home: This Tazewell County funeral home maintains searchable obituaries on their website.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home: This Tazewell County funeral home maintains searchable obituaries on their website.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund: Get information on the soldiers from Tazewell County were killed in action during the Vietnam War.
Newspapers
- Virginia Chronicle: Digitized editions of Virginia Newspapers provided by the Library of Virginia.
- Clinch Valley News (1886 – 1922)
- Tazewell Republican (1897 – 1912)
- Richlands News-Press
- Search full-text articles on local news, issues, events, people and more from current and archived issues of The Richlands News-Press. Also available remotely 24/7 on any device. Library card number required for access outside the library.
