Virginia County Resources
This entry was originally written by Johni Cerny and Gareth L. Mark for Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
Most pre-1900 county records have been microfilmed and can be searched at the Library of Virginia and the FHL, although the dates covered by the two collections vary. A list of records available for each county at the Library of Virginia appears at www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/local_rec/county_city/index.htm. The holdings of the FHL can be searched at www.familysearch.org. Most original records remain in the county and independent city courthouses.
Research in the Library of Virginia county collection can be done at a local library as well. The library participates in the American Library Association Interlibrary Loan program and will loan up to five reels of their extensive collection for a period of twenty-eight days. Obtain the microfilm reel number from the Library of Virginia online catalog and ask your local librarian to place the ILL request.
Virginia is the only state with independent cities; they are independent of the county or counties in which they are located geographically. Researchers should treat them as they would a county when constructing a research plan. A list of records for sixteen independent cities is available at the Library of Virginia and can be viewed at www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/local_rec/county_city/index.htm. Since population determines independent city status in Virginia, twenty-five towns did not incorporate until after 1904. See Lyndon H. Hart III and J. Christian Kolbe, comps., A Preliminary Guide to Pre-1904 Municipal Records in the Archives Branch, Virginia State Library and Archives (Richmond, Va.: Virginia State Library, 1983). Many Virginia counties have been absorbed by independent cities. To the extent possible, the records of the county are detailed separately from those of an independent city.
Some counties in Virginia have experienced devastating loss of early records, especially during the Civil War. Researching ancestors from 'Burned Record Counties' requires willingness to probe deeply for the few scraps of information that might have survived. The Library of Virginia has a Burned Record Counties Database with entries from records mentioning people from a burned county. The Library photocopied these and filed them to form the Burned Records County Collection, which can be accessed through the library's manuscript room. See VA'Notes: Burned County Records at www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/va22_burnedco.htm for details about burned county records and a link to the database. Counties with severe record loss include Appomattox, Buchanan, Buckingham, Dinwiddie, Elizabeth City, Gloucester, Hanover, Henrico, James City, King and Queen, Nansemond, New Kent, Prince George, and Warwick. As previously lost records are discovered and new information surfaces from the counties and independent cities, the beginning dates of record categories on the following pages may change.
Map | County | County Address | Date Formed | Parent County(ies) | Birth | Marriage | Death | Land | Probate | Court |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accawmack | 1634 | original | ||||||||
Records transferred. | ||||||||||
A5 | Accomack | P.O. Box 388 Accomack 23301-0388 | 1663 | Northampton | 1854 | 1774 | 1853 | 1663 | 1695 | 1663 |
Temporarily abolished, 1670, restored 1673. | ||||||||||
F4 | Albemarle | 401 McIntire Rd. Charlottesville 22901-4579 | 1744 | Goochland (part of Louisa added, 1761) | 1853 | 1780 | 1853 | 1744 | 1744 | 1744 |
Alexandria | P.O. Box 178 Alexandria 22313-0178 | 1789 (renamed Arlington, 1920) | Fairfax | 1853 | 1801 | 1853 | 1669 | 1778 | 1772 | |
Transferred to District of Columbia, 1801; returned to Virginia, 1846. | ||||||||||
C5 | Alleghany | 9213 Winterberry Ave., Ste. C Covington 24426-6239 | 1822 | Bath/Botetourt/Monroe | 1822 | 1822 | 1822 | 1822 | ||
G6 | Amelia | Courthouse P.O. Box A Amelia 23002-0066 | 1735 | Prince George/Brunswick | 1853 | 1735 | 1853 | 1734 | 1734 | 1734 |
Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
E5 | Amherst | P.O. Box 390 Amherst 24521-0390 | 1761 | Albemarle | 1763 | 1761 | 1761 | 1761 | ||
E6 | Appomattox | P.O. Box 863 Appomattox 24522-0863 | 1845 | Buckingham/Campbell/Prince Edward/Charlotte | 1892 | 1892 | 1892 | 1892 | ||
Record loss, 1892. | ||||||||||
H2 | Arlington | 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington 22201-5445 | 1789 (as Alexandria; renamed 1920) | Alexandria | 1853 | 1801 | 1853 | 1669 | 1778 | 1772 |
Pre-1920 records belong to Alexandria and Fairfax Counties and the District of Columbia. | ||||||||||
E4 | Augusta | P.O. Box 590 Staunton 24402-0590 | 1745 | Orange | 1853 | 1785 | 1853 | 1745 | 1745 | 1745 |
Authorized in 1738, but the government was not formed until 1745. | ||||||||||
See also Montgomery County. | ||||||||||
Barbour | 1843 (see West Virginia) | Harrison/Lewis/Randolph | ||||||||
D4 | Bath | P.O. Box 309 Warm Springs 24484-0309 | 1791 | Augusta/Botetourt/Greenbrier | 1853 | 1791 | 1853 | 1791 | 1791 | 1791 |
D6 | Bedford | 122 E. Main St., Ste. 202 Bedford 24523-2000 | 1754 | Lunenberg | 1853 | 1755 | 1853 | 1754 | 1754 | 1754 |
Berkeley | 1772 (see West Virginia) | Frederick | ||||||||
A6 | Bland | P.O. Box 510 Bland 24315-0510 | 1861 | Giles/Wythe Tazewell | 1861 | 1861 | 1861 | 1861 | 1861 | 1861 |
Record loss, 1885. | ||||||||||
Boone | 1847 (see West Virginia) | Kanawha/Cabell/Logan | ||||||||
C6 | Botetourt | 1 W. Main St., Box 1 Fincastle 24090-0000 | 1770 | Augusta | 1853 | 1770 | 1853 | 1770 | 1770 | 1770 |
Bourbon | 1786 (see Kentucky) | Fayette | ||||||||
Braxton | 1836 (see West Virginia) | Lewis/Kanawha/Nicholas | ||||||||
Brooke | 1797 (see West Virginia) | Ohio | ||||||||
G7 | Brunswick | P.O. Box 399 Lawrenceville 23868-0399 | 1732 | Prince George/Surry/Isle of Wight | 1853 | 1750 | 1853 | 1732 | 1732 | 1732 |
Authorized in 1720, but the government was not formed until 1732. | ||||||||||
C1 | Buchanan | P.O. Box 950 Grundy 24614-0950 | 1858 | Tazewell/Russell | 1885 | 1885 | 1885 | 1880 | ||
Record losses, 1885, 1977. | ||||||||||
F5 | Buckingham | P.O. Box 252 Buckingham 23921-0252 | 1761 | Albemarle | 1869 | 1784 | 1869 | 1762 | 1869 | 1868 |
Record loss, 1869. | ||||||||||
Cabell | 1809 (see West Virginia) | Kanawha | ||||||||
Calhoun | 1856 (see West Virginia) | Gilmer | ||||||||
E6 | Campbell | P.O. Box 100 Rustburg 24588-0100 | 1782 | Bedford | 1853 | 1782 | 1853 | 1782 | 1782 | 1782 |
H4 | Caroline | P.O. Box 447 Bowling Green 22427-0447 | 1728 | Essex/King and Queen/ King William | 1864 | 1787 | 1865 | 1728 | 1732 | 1665 |
Pre-Civil War records fragmented, pre-1728 records from parent counties. | ||||||||||
B7 | Carroll | 605-1 N. Main St. Hillsville 24343 | 1842 | Grayson | 1853 | 1842 | 1853 | 1842 | 1842 | 1842 |
H6 | Charles City | P.O. Box 128 Charles City 23030-0128 | 1634 | original | 1865 | 1762 | 1865 | 1655 | 1655 | 1650 |
Pre-Civil War records fragmented. | ||||||||||
Charles River | 1634 (renamed York, 1642/43) | original | ||||||||
Renamed York, 1642/43. Records transferred. | ||||||||||
E7 | Charlotte | P.O. Box 608 Charlotte 23923-0608 | 1765 | Lunenberg | 1765 | 1765 | 1765 | 1763 | ||
G6 | Chesterfield | P.O. Box 40 Chesterfield 23832-0040 | 1749 | Henrico | 1770 | 1855 | 1749 | 1740 | 1746 | |
F2 | Clarke | 102 N. Church St. 2nd Fl. Berryville 22611-1110 | 1836 | Frederick | 1836 | 1836 | 1836 | 1836 | ||
Clay | 1858 (see West Virginia) | Braxton/Nicholas | ||||||||
C6 | Craig | P.O. Box 308 New Castle 24127-0308 | 1851 | Botetourt/Giles/Roanoake/Monroe | 1864 | 1865 | 1864 | 1851 | 1851 | 1851 |
G3 | Culpeper | 302 N. Main St. Culpeper 22701-2622 | 1749 | Orange | 1864 | 1781 | 1864 | 1749 | 1749 | 1749 |
F6 | Cumberland | 1 Courthouse Circle P.O. Box 110 Cumberland 23040-0110 | 1749 | Goochland | 1853 | 1749 | 1853 | 1749 | 1749 | 1749 |
Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
B1 | Dickenson | P.O. Box 1098 Clintwood 24228-1098 | 1880 | Russell/Wise/Buchanan | 1880 | 1880 | 1880 | 1880 | 1880 | 1880 |
G7 | Dinwiddie | P.O. Drawer 70 Dinwiddie 23841-0070 | 1752 | Prince George | 1865 | 1850 | 1865 | 1755 | 1704 | 1789 |
Record loss, 1864. Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
Doddridge | 1845 (see West Virginia) | Harrison/Tyler/Ritchie/Lewis | ||||||||
Dunmore | 1772 (renamed Shenandoah, 1778) | Frederick | ||||||||
Records transferred. | ||||||||||
Elizabeth City | 1634 | original (merged with City of Hampton, 1952) | 1865 | 1684 | 1684 | 1689 | ||||
Records fragmented. Records transferred to City of Hampton. | ||||||||||
H5 | Essex | P.O. Box 1079 Tappahannock 22560-1079 | 1692 | [Old] Rappahannock | 1853 | 1804 | 1853 | 1692 | 1692 | 1692 |
Records of Rappahannock County (old) are housed in Essex County. | ||||||||||
H3 | Fairfax | 1200 Government Center Pkwy Fairfax 22035-0066 | 1742 | Prince William | 1853 | 1853 | 1853 | 1742 | 1742 | 1731 |
G3 | Fauquier | 40 Culpeper St. Warrenton 22186-3206 | 1759 | Prince William | 1853 | 1759 | 1853 | 1759 | 1759 | 1759 |
Fayette | 1780 (see Kentucky) | Kentucky | ||||||||
Fayette | 1831 (see West Virginia) | Logan/Nicholas/Greenbrier/Kanawha | ||||||||
Fincastle | 1772 (abolished 1777) | Botetourt | ||||||||
Records transferred to Montgomery County. | ||||||||||
B7 | Floyd | P.O. Box 218 Floyd 24091-0218 | 1831 | Montgomery | 1853 | 1831 | 1853 | 1831 | 1831 | 1831 |
F5 | Fluvanna | P.O. Box 299 Palmyra 22963-0299 | 1777 | Albemarle | 1853 | 1777 | 1853 | 1777 | 1777 | 1777 |
C7 | Franklin | 40 E. Court St. Rocky Mount 24151-1304 | 1785/6 | Bedford/Henry | 1853 | 1785 | 1853 | 1786 | 1785 | 1786 |
F2 | Frederick | 107 North Kent St. Winchester 22601-5039 | 1743 | Orange | 1853 | 1771 | 1853 | 1743 | 1743 | 1743 |
Authorized in 1738, but the government was not formed until 1743. | ||||||||||
B6 | Giles | 507 Wenonah Ave. Pearisburg 24134-1633 | 1806 | Tazewell/Monroe/Montgomery | 1853 | 1806 | 1853 | 1806 | 1806 | 1806 |
Gilmer | 1845 (see West Virginia) | Kanawha/Lewis | ||||||||
J6 | Gloucester | P.O. Box 329 Gloucester 23061-0329 | 1651 | York | 1863 | 1853 | 1865 | 1733 | 1862 | 1820 |
Record losses, 1821, 1865. Early records fragmented. | ||||||||||
G5 | Goochland | P.O. Box 10 Goochland 23063-0010 | 1728 | Henrico | 1853 | 1730 | 1853 | 1728 | 1728 | 1728 |
Grant | 1866 (see West Virginia) | Hardy | ||||||||
A8 | Grayson | P.O. Box 217 Independence 24348-0217 | 1793 | Wythe | 1853 | 1793 | 1853 | 1793 | 1793 | 1793 |
Greenbrier | 1777 (see West Virginia) | Montgomery | ||||||||
F4 | Greene | P.O. Box 358 Standardsville 22973-0358 | 1838 | Orange | 1853 | 1838 | 1853 | 1838 | 1838 | 1838 |
Pre-Civil War records fragmented. | ||||||||||
G7 | Greensville | 1750 Atlantic St. Emporia 23847-6584 | 1781 | Brunswick | 1853 | 1781 | 1853 | 1781 | 1781 | 1781 |
Some records fragmented. | ||||||||||
E7 | Halifax | 134 S. Main St. Halifax 24558-3215 | 1752 | Lunenberg | 1853 | 1753 | 1853 | 1746 | 1752 | 1752 |
Hampshire | 1754 (see West Virginia) | Augusta/Frederick | ||||||||
Hancock | 1848 (see West Virginia) | Brooke | ||||||||
G5 | Hanover | P.O. Box 470 Hanover 23069-0470 | 1721 | New Kent | 1853 | 1863 | 1853 | 1733 | 1733 | 1733 |
Record loss, 1865. Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
Hardy | 1786 (see West Virginia) | Hampshire | ||||||||
Harrison | 1784 (see West Virginia) | Monongalia | ||||||||
H6 | Henrico | P.O. Box 27032 Richmond 23273-7032 | 1634 | original | 1853 | 1781 | 1853 | 1650 | 1650 | 1650 |
Pre-Revolutionary War records fragmented. | ||||||||||
C8 | Henry | P.O. Box 7 Collinsville 24078-0007 | 1777 | Pittsylvania | 1853 | 1777 | 1853 | 1777 | 1777 | 1777 |
D4 | Highland | P.O. Box 130 Monterey 24465-0130 | 1847 | Pendleton/Bath | 1853 | 1847 | 1853 | 1847 | 1847 | 1847 |
Record loss, 1947. | ||||||||||
Illinois | 1778 | Augusta (ceded to the U.S. and became part of Ohio, 1784) | ||||||||
J7 | Isle of Wight | P.O. Box 80 Isle of Wight 23397-0080 | 1637 | Warrosquyoake | 1853 | 1771 | 1853 | 1636 | 1636 | 1746 |
Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
Jackson | 1831 (see West Virginia) | Mason/Wood/Kanawha | ||||||||
J6 | James City | P.O. Box 8784 Williamsburg 23185-8784 | 1634 | original | 1865 | 1865 | 1864 | 1854 | 1865 | 1865 |
Record loss, 1865 (Tax Records, 1768'69, preserved). | ||||||||||
Jefferson | 1780 (see Kentucky) | Kentucky | ||||||||
Jefferson | 1801 (see West Virginia) | Berkeley | ||||||||
Kanawha | 1789 (see West Virginia) | Greenbrier/Montgomery | ||||||||
Kentucky | 1777 (abolished 1780) | Fincastle | ||||||||
H5 | King and Queen | P.O. Box 177 King and Queen 23085-0177 | 1691 | New Kent | 1865 | 1864 | 1865 | 1719 | 1864 | 1831 |
Record losses, 1825, 1865. Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
H4 | King George | 10459 Courthouse Dr. Ste. 200 King George 22485-3866 | 1721 | Richmond | 1871 | 1786 | 1871 | 1721 | 1721 | 1721 |
Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
H5 | King William | P.O. Box 215 King William 23086-2519 | 1701/2 | King and Queen | 1885 | 1786 | 1885 | 1701 | 1701 | 1701 |
Record loss, 1885. Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
J5 | Lancaster | 8311 Mary Ball Rd. Lancaster 22503-2519 | 1651 | York/Northumberland | 1853 | 1701 | 1853 | 1652 | 1651 | 1652 |
A2 | Lee | P.O. Box 367 Jonesville 24263-0367 | 1793 | Russell | 1853 | 1830 | 1853 | 1793 | 1793 | 1808 |
Lewis | 1816 (see West Virginia) | Harrison | ||||||||
Lincoln | 1780 (see Kentucky) | Kentucky | ||||||||
Lincoln | 1867 (see West Virginia) | Boone/Cabell/Kanawha/Putnam | ||||||||
Logan | 1824 (see West Virginia) | Giles/Cabell/Tazewell/Kanawha | ||||||||
G2 | Loudoun | 1 Harrison St. SE Leesburg 20175-3102 | 1757 | Fairfax | 1853 | 1757 | 1853 | 1757 | 1757 | 1757 |
G5 | Louisa | P.O. Box 160 Louisa 23093-0160 | 1742 | Hanover | 1864 | 1763 | 1864 | 1742 | 1742 | 1742 |
Lower Norfolk | 1637 | New Norfolk (abolished 1691) | 1637 | 1646 | 1637 | |||||
Records are housed in the City of Chesapeake. | ||||||||||
F7 | Lunenberg | Courthouse Square Lunenburg 23952-0000 | 1745/6 | Brunswick | 1853 | 1746 | 1853 | 1743 | 1746 | 1745 |
Madison | 1786 (see Kentucky) | Lincoln | ||||||||
F4 | Madison | P.O. Box 705 Madison 22727-0705 | 1793 | Culpeper | 1853 | 1793 | 1853 | 1792 | 1793 | 1793 |
Marion | 1842 (see West Virginia) | Monongalia/Harrison | ||||||||
Marshall | 1835 (see West Virginia) | Ohio | ||||||||
Mason | 1789 (see Kentucky) | Bourbon | ||||||||
Mason | 1804 (see West Virginia) | Kanawha | ||||||||
K6 | Mathews | P.O. Box 839 Mathews 23109-0839 | 1791 | Gloucester | 1865 | 1827 | 1865 | 1817 | 1795 | 1795 |
Record loss, 1865. Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
McDowell | 1858 (see West Virginia) | Tazewell | ||||||||
F7 | Mecklenburg | P.O. Box 307 Boydton 23917-0307 | 1764/65 | Lunenberg | 1853 | 1765 | 1853 | 1765 | 1764 | 1764 |
Mercer | 1786 (see Kentucky) | Lincoln | ||||||||
Mercer | 1837 (see West Virginia) | Giles/Tazewell | ||||||||
J5 | Middlesex | P.O. Box 428 Saluda 23149-0428 | 1669 | Lancaster | 1853 | 1740 | 1853 | 1673 | 1673 | 1673 |
Monongalia | 1776 (see West Virginia) | Augusta | ||||||||
Monroe | 1799 (see West Virginia) | Greenbrier | ||||||||
B6 | Montgomery | 755 Roanoke St. Ste. 2E Christiansburg 24073-3178 | 1777 | Fincastle | 1853 | 1773 | 1853 | 1750 | 1773 | 1753 |
Includes records of Augusta (1750'72) and Fincastle (1772'76). | ||||||||||
Morgan | 1820 (see West Virginia) | Berkeley/Hampshire | ||||||||
Nansemond | 1642/3 | Upper Norfolk | 1866 | 1734 | 1866 | 1774 | ||||
Incorporated as the City of Nansemond, 1972; merged with the City of Suffolk, 1974. Record loss, 1866. Records transferred to the City of Suffolk. | ||||||||||
Nelson | 1785 (see Kentucky) | Jefferson | ||||||||
E5 | Nelson | P.O. Box 336 Lovingston 22949-0336 | 1808 | Amherst | 1853 | 1808 | 1853 | 1808 | 1808 | 1808 |
H6 | New Kent | P.O. Box 50 New Kent 23124-0050 | 1654 | York | 1865 | 1850 | 1865 | 1674 | 1827 | 1820 |
Record losses, 1787, 1865. Records fragmented. | ||||||||||
New Norfolk | 1636 (abolished 1637) | Elizabeth City (see Lower Norfolk and Upper Norfolk) | ||||||||
Nicholas | 1818 (see West Virginia) | Greenbrier/Kanawha/Randolph | ||||||||
Norfolk | 1691 | Lower Norfolk (merged with the City of Chesapeake, 1963) | 1853 | 1706 | 1853 | 1691 | 1691 | 1723 | ||
Records transferred to the City of Chesapeake. Records fragmented. Some records may also be in the City of Portsmouth. | ||||||||||
K6 | Northampton | P.O. Box 66 Heathsville 22473-0066 | 1642/3 | Accawmack | 1853 | 1706 | 1853 | 1632 | 1632 | 1632 |
Includes records of Accawmack. | ||||||||||
J5 | Northumberland | P.O. Box 129 Heathsville 22473-0129 | about 1645 | original (formed from Chickacoan Indian District) | 1735 | 1650 | 1652 | 1650 | ||
Although not authorized until 1648, Northumberland was in use by about 1645. Record loss, 1710. Records fragmented. Birth and death records, 1650'1810, are in the St. Stephen's Parish records. | ||||||||||
F6 | Nottoway | P.O. Box 92 Nottoway 23955-0092 | 1789 | Amelia | 1784 | 1789 | 1789 | 1789 | ||
Ohio | 1776 (see West Virginia) | Augusta | ||||||||
F4 | Orange | P.O. Box 111 Orange 22960-0800 | 1734 | Spotsylvania | 1866 | 1747 | 1734 | 1734 | 1734 | |
F3 | Page | 108 S. Court St. Luray 22835-1225 | 1831 | Rockingham/Shenandoah | 1865 | 1831 | 1864 | 1831 | 1831 | 1831 |
B8 | Patrick | P.O. Box 466 Stuart 24171-0466 | 1791 | Henry | 1853 | 1791 | 1853 | 1791 | 1791 | 1791 |
Pendleton | 1788 (see West Virginia) | Augusta/Hardy/Rockingham | ||||||||
D7 | Pittsylvania | P.O. Box 426 Chatham 24531-0426 | 1767 | Halifax | 1853 | 1767 | 1853 | 1737 | 1767 | 1765 |
Pleasants | 1851 (see West Virginia) | Wood/Tyler/Ritchie | ||||||||
Pocahontas | 1821 (see West Virginia) | Bath/Pendleton/Randolph | ||||||||
G6 | Powhatan | 3834 Old Buckingham Rd. Ste. A Powhatan 23139-7051 | 1777 | Cumberland | 1853 | 1777 | 1853 | 1777 | 1777 | 1777 |
Preston | 1818 (see West Virginia) | Monongalia | ||||||||
F6 | Prince Edward | P.O. Box 382 Farmville 23901-0382 | 1754 | Amelia | 1853 | 1754 | 1853 | 1754 | 1754 | 1754 |
H6 | Prince George | P.O. Box 68 Prince George 23875-0068 | 1702 | Charles City | 1865 | 1865 | 1865 | 1710 | 1713 | 1714 |
Pre-Civil War records fragmented. | ||||||||||
G3 | Prince William | 1 County Court Complex Prince William 22192-9201 | 1731 | Stafford/King George | 1864 | 1859 | 1864 | 1731 | 1734 | 1731 |
Pre-Civil War records fragmented. | ||||||||||
Princess Anne | 1691 | Lower Norfolk (merged with the City of Virginia Beach, 1963) | 1853 | 1724 | 1853 | 1691 | 1691 | 1691 | ||
Records transferred to the City of Virginia Beach. | ||||||||||
B7 | Pulaski | 143 3rd St. NW, Ste. 1 Pulaski 24301-4900 | 1839 | Montgomery/Wythe | 1853 | 1839 | 1853 | 1839 | 1839 | 1839 |
Marriage bonds, 1844'57, also in Montgomery. | ||||||||||
Putnam | 1848 (see West Virginia) | Cabell/Kanawha/Mason | ||||||||
Raleigh | 1850 (see West Virginia) | Fayette | ||||||||
Randolph | 1787 (see West Virginia) | Harrison | ||||||||
Rappahannock (old) | 1656 | Lancaster (abolished 1692) | 1656 | 1656 | 1665 | |||||
Records transferred to Essex. | ||||||||||
F3 | Rappahannock (present) | P.O. Box 519 Washington 22747-0519 | 1833 | Culpeper | 1853 | 1833 | 1853 | 1833 | 1833 | 1833 |
J5 | Richmond | P.O. Box 1000 Warsaw 22572-1000 | 1692 | [Old] Rappahannock | 1853 | 1853 | 1692 | 1692 | ||
Ritchie | 1843 (see West Virginia) | Harrison/Lewis/Wood | ||||||||
Roane | 1856 (see West Virginia) | Gilmer/Kanawha/Jackson | ||||||||
C6 | Roanoake | P.O. Box 29800 Salem 24153-0798 | 1838 | Botetourt | 1853 | 1838 | 1853 | 1838 | 1838 | 1838 |
D5 | Rockbridge | 150 S. Main St. Lexington 24450-2359 | 1778 | Augusta/Botetourt | 1853 | 1778 | 1853 | 1778 | 1778 | 1778 |
E3 | Rockingham | P.O. Box 1252 Harrisonburg 22803-1252 | 1778 | Augusta | 1862 | 1778 | 1862 | 1778 | 1778 | 1778 |
Record loss, 1864. | ||||||||||
C2 | Russell | P.O. Box 1208 Lebanon 24266-1208 | 1786 | Washington | 1853 | 1853 | 1853 | 1768 | 1803 | 1786 |
Record loss, 1853. | ||||||||||
B2 | Scott | 112 Water St., Ste. 1 Gate City 24251 | 1814 | Lee/Russell/Washington | 1853 | 1815 | 1853 | 1815 | 1815 | 1815 |
E3 | Shenandoah | 600 N. Main St., Ste. 102 Woodstock 22644-1855 | 1778 | Dunmore | 1853 | 1772 | 1853 | 1772 | 1772 | 1772 |
Includes records of Dunmore (1772'78). | ||||||||||
D2,A7 | Smyth | 121 Bagley Cir., Ste. 100 Marion 24354-3140 | 1832 | Wythe/Washington | 1857 | 1832 | 1857 | 1832 | 1832 | 1832 |
Some records fragmented. | ||||||||||
H7 | Southampton | P.O. Box 400 Courtland 23837-0400 | 1749 | Isle of Wight | 1853 | 1750 | 1853 | 1749 | 1749 | 1749 |
G4 | Spotsylvania | P.O. Box 99 Spotsylvania 22553-0099 | 1721 | Essex/King and Queen/King William | 1795 | 1720 | 1722 | 1724 | ||
G4 | Stafford | P.O. Box 339 Stafford 22554-0339 | 1664 | Westmoreland | 1853 | 1854 | 1853 | 1686 | 1664 | 1664 |
Pre-Civil War records fragmented. | ||||||||||
J7 | Surry | P.O. Box 65 Surry 23883-0065 | 1652 | James City | 1853 | 1768 | 1853 | 1645 | 1652 | 1645 |
H7 | Sussex | P.O. Box 1397 Sussex 23884-0397 | 1754 | Surry | 1853 | 1754 | 1853 | 1754 | 1754 | 1754 |
D1,A7 | Tazewell | 315 School St. Box 2 Tazewell 24651-1398 | 1800 | Wythe/Russell | 1853 | 1800 | 1853 | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 |
Taylor | 1844 (see West Virginia) | Harrison/Barbour/Marion | ||||||||
Tucker | 1856 (see West Virginia) | Randolph | ||||||||
Tyler | 1814 (see West Virginia) | Ohio | ||||||||
Upper Norfolk | 1637 | New Norfolk | ||||||||
Renamed Nansemond, 1642/43. Records transferred. | ||||||||||
Upshur | 1851 (see West Virginia) | Randolph/Lewis/Barbour | ||||||||
F2 | Warren | 220 N. Commerce Ave. Ste. 100 Front Royal 22630-4412 | 1836 | Shenandoah/Frederick | 1853 | 1836 | 1853 | 1836 | 1836 | 1836 |
Warrosquyoake | 1634 (renamed Isle of Wight, 1637) | original | ||||||||
Records transferred. | ||||||||||
Warwick | 1642/3 (as Warwick River;renamed 1642/43) | Warwick River | 1662 | 1648 | 1646 | |||||
Pre-Civil War records fragmented. Incorporated as City of Warwick, 1952, and merged with the City of Newport News, 1958. Records transferred. | ||||||||||
Warwick River | 1634 (renamed Warwick, 1642/43) | original | ||||||||
C2 | Washington | 205 Academy Dr. Abingdon 24210-2635 | 1777 | Fincastle | 1853 | 1782 | 1853 | 1778 | 1777 | 1777 |
Wayne | 1842 (see West Virginia) | Cabell | ||||||||
Webster | 1860 (see West Virginia) | Braxton/Nicholas/Randolph | ||||||||
J4 | Westmoreland | P.O. Box 1000 Montross 22520-1000 | 1653 | Northumberland | 1858 | 1772 | 1857 | 1653 | 1653 | 1653 |
Wetzel | 1846 (see West Virginia) | Tyler | ||||||||
Wirt | 1848 (see West Virginia) | Jackson/Wood | ||||||||
B2 | Wise | P.O. Box 570 Wise 24293-0570 | 1856 | Lee/Russell/Scott | 1856 | 1856 | 1856 | 1856 | 1856 | 1856 |
Wood | 1798 (see West Virginia) | Harrison | ||||||||
Woodford | 1789 (see Kentucky) | Fayette | ||||||||
Wyoming | 1850 (see West Virginia) | Logan | ||||||||
A7 | Wythe | 345 S. 4th St. Wytheville 24382-2504 | 1790 | Montgomery | 1853 | 1790 | 1853 | 1790 | 1790 | 1790 |
Yohogania | 1776 (ceded to Pennsylvania 1786) | Augusta | ||||||||
J6 | York | P.O. Box 532 Yorktown 23690-0532 | 1634 (as Charles River; renamed 1642/43) | Charles River | 1854 | 1772 | 1853 | 1633 | 1633 | 1633 |
Includes records of Charles River. |
Virginia City Resources
Map | Independent City | City Hall Address | Established (Parent County/ies) | Town Incorporated | City Incorporated | Birth | Marriage | Death | Land | Probate | Court |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3 | Alexandria | 301 King St., Alexandria 22314 | 1749 (Fairfax) | 1779 | 1852 | 1870 | 1783 | 1786 | 1780 | ||
First named Hunting Creek, then Belhaven. Declared an independent municipality in 1801. | |||||||||||
D6 | Bedford | P.O. Box 807, Bedford 24523-0807 | (Bedford) | 1839 | 1969 | ||||||
Originally named Liberty; renamed 1890. | |||||||||||
C2 | Bristol | 497 Cumberland, Bristol 24201-4394 | 1850 (Washington) | 1856 | 1890 | 1890 | 1890 | 1890 | 1890 | ||
Originally named Goodson; renamed 1890. | |||||||||||
D5 | Buena Vista | 2039 Sycamore Ave., Buena Vista 24416-3133 | 1889 (Rockbridge) | 1890 | 1892 | 1892 | 1892 | 1892 | 1892 | ||
F4 | Charlottesville | P.O. Box 911, Charlottesville 22902-0911 | 1762 (Albemarle) | 1801 | 1888 | 1871 | 1888 | ||||
K7 | Chesapeake | P.O. Box 15225, Chesapeake 23320 | 1963 | 1963 | |||||||
Created in 1963 by merger of the City of South Norfolk and Norfolk County. | |||||||||||
C5 | Clifton Forge | P.O. Box 631, Clifton Forge 24422-0631 | 1861 (Alleghany) | 1884 | 1906 | 1906 | 1906 | 1906 | 1906 | ||
Established as Williamson's Station, renamed 1884. | |||||||||||
H6 | Colonial Heights | 1507 Blvd., Colonial Heights 23834-3049 | 1910 (Chesterfield) | 1926 | 1961 | 1961 | 1961 | 1961 | 1961 | ||
C5 | Covington | 158 N. Court Ave., Covington 24426 | 1818 (Alleghany) | 1833 | 1953 | ||||||
D8 | Danville | City Courthouse, Danville 24543 | 1793 (Pittsylvania) | 1830 | 1890 | 1874 | 1841 | 1841 | 1857 | 1859 | |
G8 | Emporia | Emporia 23847 | 1887 (Greensville) | 1887, 1892 | 1967 | ||||||
H3 | Fairfax | 10455 Armstrong St., Fairfax 22030-3627 | 1805 (Fairfax) | 1874 | 1961 | ||||||
Originally Providence; renamed 1859. | |||||||||||
H2 | Falls Church | 300 Park, Falls Church 22046-3395 | 1850 (Fairfax) | 1875 | 1948 | ||||||
J8 | Franklin | 207 W. 2nd Ave., Franklin 23851-1713 | 1830'40 (Southampton) | 1876 | 1961 | ||||||
G4 | Fredericksburg | P.O. Box 7447, Fredericksburg 22404-07447 | 1728 (Spotsylvania) | 1782 | 1879 | 1853 | 1781 | 1853 | 1782 | 1782 | 1782 |
A8 | Galax | 123 N. Main St., Galax 24333-2907 | (Carroll/Grayson) | 1906 | 1954 | ||||||
Originally named Bonaparte. | |||||||||||
K7 | Hampton | 22 Lincoln St., Hampton 23669-3522 | 1680 (Elizabeth City) | 1849, 1852, 1887 | 1908 | ||||||
Extant from 1610. Consolidated with Elizabeth City County, 1952. | |||||||||||
E4 | Harrisonburg | Rockingham Courthouse, Harrisonburg 22801 | 1780 (Rockingham) | 1849 | 1916 | 1862 | 1778 | 1862 | 1778 | 1803 | 1778 |
H6 | Hopewell | 300 N. Main, Hopewell 23860-2740 | about 1915 (Prince George) | 1916 | 1916 | 1916 | 1916 | ||||
Founded as Charles City Point, 1613. Renamed Hopewell about 1913. City Point annexed in 1923. | |||||||||||
D5 | Lexington | 300 E. Washington St., Lexington 24450-2720 | 1778 (Rockbridge) | 1874 | 1965 | ||||||
D6 | Lynchburg | P.O. Box 60, Lynchburg 24505-0060 | 1786 (Campbell) | 1805 | 1852 | 1853 | 1805 | 1853 | 1805 | 1805 | 1787 |
G3 | Manassas | 9311 Lee Ave., Manassas 22110-5555 | 1852 (Prince William) | 1874 | 1975 | 1873 | |||||
G3 | Manassas Park | 103 Manassas Dr., Manassas Park 22111-2335 | 1955 (Prince William) | 1957 | 1975 | ||||||
Manchester | 1874 | ||||||||||
Annexed by the City of Richmond, 1910. | |||||||||||
C8 | Martinsville | P.O. Box 1112, Martinsville 24112-1112 | 1791 (Henry) | 1873 | 1928 | 1942 | 1942 | 1942 | 1942 | ||
Nansemond | 1972 | ||||||||||
Created from Nansemond County in 1972, it merged with the City of Suffolk in 1974. | |||||||||||
J7 | Newport News | 2400 Walsh Ave., Newport News 23607-4301 | 1880 (Warwick) | 1896 | 1866 | 1866 | |||||
Extant from 1619. Consolidated with the City of Warwick, 1958. | |||||||||||
K7 | Norfolk | 100 St. Paul Blvd., Ste. 100, Norfolk 23501-2712 | 1680 (Norfolk) | 1736 | 1845 | 1792 | 1797 | 1853 | 1784 | 1784 | 1761 |
Some records were destroyed during the Revolutionary War. | |||||||||||
B2 | Norton | P.O. Box 618, Norton 24273-0618 | about 1787 (Wise) | 1894 | 1954 | ||||||
Originally named Prince's Flats, renamed about 1891. | |||||||||||
H6 | Petersburg | 7 Courthouse Ave., Petersburg 23803-4459 | 1748 (Dinwiddie/Chesterfield/Prince George) | 1784 | 1850 | 1853 | 1780 | 1853 | 1784 | 1784 | 1784 |
Extant by 1645 as Fort Henry; renamed Peter's Point. Pre-1784 records fragmented. | |||||||||||
K7 | Poquoson | 830 Poquoson Ave., Poquoson 23704-1733 | 1885'88 (York) | 1952 | 1976 | ||||||
K7 | Portsmouth | 801 Crawford St., Portsmouth 23704-3822 | 1752 (Norfolk) | 1836 | 1858 | 1853 | 1782 | 1853 | 1776 | 1755 | 1743 |
Some pre-1858 records may be of Norfolk County. | |||||||||||
B6 | Radford | 319 2nd St., Radford 24141-1512 | 1885 (Montgomery) | 1887 | 1892 | 1892 | 1892 | 1892 | 1892 | ||
Formerly called Lovely Mount, English or Ingle's Ferry, Central Depot, and Central City; renamed 1890. | |||||||||||
H6 | Richmond | 900 E. Broad St., Richmond 23219-1907 | 1742 (Henrico) | 1782 | 1842 | 1853 | 1780 | 1853 | 1782 | 1810 | 1782 |
C6 | Roanoake | 215 Church Ave., S.W., Roanoake 24011-1536 | 1852 (Roanoake) | 1874 | 1884 | 1884 | 1884 | 1884 | 1884 | 1884 | |
Originally named Big Lick. Renamed Roanoake in 1882. | |||||||||||
C6 | Salem | P.O. Box 869, Salem 24153-0869 | 1806 (Roanoake) | 1836 | 1968 | ||||||
E8 | South Boston | P.O. Box 417, South Boston 24592-0417 | 1796 (Halifax) | 1884 | 1960 | ||||||
Originally named Boyd's Ferry. | |||||||||||
South Norfolk | (Norfolk) | 1919 | 1921 | ||||||||
Merged with Norfolk County, 1963, and renamed the City of Chesapeake. Records transferred. | |||||||||||
E4 | Staunton | P.O. Box 58, Staunton 22401-0058 | 1761 (Augusta) | 1801 | 1871 | 1854 | 1802 | 1853 | 1802 | 1802 | 1796 |