Rockingham County, Virginia Genealogy
Guide to Rockingham County, Virginia ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Rockingham County is located in the western portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia and it shares a border with West Virginia. The county was named for the Marquis of Rockingham, a British statesman sympathetic with the American Revolution.[2]
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Rockingham County Courthouse
53 Court Square
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: 540-564-3130
Rockingham County Website
Clerk Circuit Court has birth records 1862-1894, death records 1890-1894, marriage, probate, court and land records from 1778 and divorce records from 1833.Some records burned in 1864[3]
Rockingham County, Virginia Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1862 | 1778 | 1890 | 1778 | 1778 | 1778 | 1810 |
General compliance year is unknown. | ||||||
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[9]
| Towns | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline[edit | edit source]
The county is named after Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (1730-1782), who served two terms as Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
For databases and indexes, see Virginia Bible Records.
- 1607-2007 Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- [Hite] Major, Nettie Leitch. "Hite Family Bible, Rockingham County, Virginia," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 21, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1977):119-121. Available at FS Library; digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).
Biographies[edit | edit source]
- Wayland, John W. Men of Mark and Representative Citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Virginia. Staunton, Va.: McClure Co., 1943. FS Library; digital versions at Ancestry ($).
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
- Cutten, George Barton. The Silversmiths of Virginia (together with Watchmakers and Jewelers) from 1694 to 1850. Richmond, Va.: The Dietz Press, Incorporated, 1952. Available at FS Library. [Includes a section on Harrisonburg silversmiths.]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- 1800-1986 Virginia, Jewish Cemetery Records Index, ca. 1800-1986 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Rockingham County Tombstones by Cemetery by Harrisonburg Rockingham Historical Society - free.
- Rudolph, Frances Lee Wilson, compiled. District of Columbia Francis Scott Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.Inscriptions of tombstones in cemeteries of Augusta and Rockingham counties, Virginia, copied April 1946 with a brief sketch of the history of churches connected with the cemeteries, including pictures of Augusta Stone Church, Cross Keys, and Mount Tabor. FS Library Microfilm 849494
Census Records[edit | edit source]
For databases, indexes, and information online, see Virginia Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1790 | 7,449 | — |
| 1800 | 10,374 | 39.3% |
| 1810 | 12,753 | 22.9% |
| 1820 | 14,784 | 15.9% |
| 1830 | 20,683 | 39.9% |
| 1840 | 17,344 | −16.1% |
| 1850 | 20,294 | 17.0% |
| 1860 | 23,408 | 15.3% |
| 1870 | 23,668 | 1.1% |
| 1880 | 29,567 | 24.9% |
| 1890 | 31,299 | 5.9% |
| 1900 | 33,527 | 7.1% |
| 1910 | 34,903 | 4.1% |
| 1920 | 30,047 | −13.9% |
| 1930 | 29,709 | −1.1% |
| 1940 | 31,289 | 5.3% |
| 1950 | 35,079 | 12.1% |
| 1960 | 40,485 | 15.4% |
| 1970 | 47,890 | 18.3% |
| 1980 | 57,038 | 19.1% |
| 1990 | 57,482 | 0.8% |
| 2000 | 67,725 | 17.8% |
| 2010 | 76,314 | 12.7% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
1784 Enumeration
- Rockingham County Heads of Families - 1784 at U.S. Census Bureau - free. County begins on page 76.
1885-1940
- U.S., Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940 at Ancestry ($)
1890 Union Veterans
- Virginia's Union Veterans: Eleventh Census of the United States 1890. By Ronald Ray Turner. FS Catalog book 975.5 X2t 1890; film 1425065, item 14.
- 1890 Veterans Schedules of the U.S. Federal Census. Online at: Ancestry ($). Includes this county.
1900
- United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Rockingham County, Virginia, Census, 1900. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1900. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
Church Records[edit | edit source]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
A map identifying the locations of early churches is available for Rockingham County: Where the River Flows: Finding Faith in Rockingham County, Virginia, 1726-1876. The FamilySearch Library has a copy: FS Library Map 975.5922 H2h, 975.5922 H2h supp..
Baptist
Early Baptist churches (with years constituted):
- Lost River (1784)[10].
- Lynville's Creek aka Linville Creek (1756)[10]. Minute books begin in 1756: FS Library Film 441485 Item 2. Another copy: FS Library Film 32271. Some records have been published: FS Library Book 975.5922 K2w.[11] Cemetery records are online. Church records are online in Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 at Historical Society of Pennsylvania – ($), free to members of the society.
- Pleasant Run (by 1806). Membership rolls (1806-1809) were published in the Seattle Genealogical Society Bulletin, Vol. 16, No. 3 (Mar. 1967). FS Library Book 979.777 B2b v. 16-17 (1966-1968).
- Smith Creek (1756), New Market, Va. A history has been published: FS Library Book 975.5 A1 no. 307. Some records have been published: FS Library Book 975.5922 K2w.[11]
- 1776 Petition of Baptists (10,000 names!) and sympathizers from all over Virginia, dated 16 October 1776, asking for an end to persecution of Baptists by the established church. After locating your ancestor, view the digital copies.
– Digital copies at Library of Congress; also at Library of Virginia
– Hall, Jean Pickett. "Legislative Petitions: the 10,000 name petition" transcription in the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vols. 35-38, with annotations in Vol. 39, (Richmond, Virginia: Virginia Genealogical Society, 1983-) online at Ancestry ($) and in book form at various libraries.
Rockingham County fell within the bounds of the Culpeper Association.
Church of England
Meade's 1861 history of parishes in Rockingham County is available online.[12]
German Reformed
- Braun, Johannes, Klaus Wust and Joseph H. Meyerhoeffer. Shenandoah Valley Family Data, 1799-1813: From the Memorandum Book of Pastor Johannes Braun. Edinburg, Va.: Shenandoah History Publishers, 1978. FS Library US/CAN Book 975.5 K2bjo.
- Burkett, Brigitte. Rockport, Maine: Picton Press, 2003. German Church Records of Rockingham County, Virginia. v. 1. Friedens Lutheran and Reformed Church, 1786-1897; St. Michael's Lutheran and Reformed Church, 1789-1889; Ermentraut's Lutheran and Reformed Church, 1798-1863. FS Library 975.5922 K2b v. 1.
- 1742-1775 Gray, Gertrude E. Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, 1742-1775. Vol. II. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1997. Available at FS Library; digital version at Ancestry ($).
Quaker
Early monthly meetings (with years of existence):
- Smith's Creek Monthly Meeting (1736-1810) aka Broadway[13]
Court Records[edit | edit source]
Online Court Indexes and Records
Library of Virginia's Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index can be used to search for Rockingham County chancery records for the years 1781-1946. Digital images are available for 1781-1913. Indexed information and originals available through 1946 - see online catalog or contact Archives Research Services for availability.
Directories[edit | edit source]
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
For databases and immigrant groups, see Virginia Emigration and Immigration
- List of imported servants and transported convicts from Europe who served labor terms in Colonial Virginia are online at: Immigrant Servants Database.
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
African American
- 1865-1872 Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1935-2009 Virginia, African-American Funeral Programs, 1935-2009 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Free negroes list, 1815, Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Richmond VA: Feb 2007. Vol. 45 Iss. 1.
- Heinegg, Paul. Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. 2005-present. - free online book. Adams, Ailstock, Barrell, Clark, Connally, Colley, Fortune, Hughes, Hurley, Jackson, McCoy, Mayo, Nickens, Payne, Peters, Redman, Spelman, Tyre, Vena, Venie families of pre-1820 Rockingham County, Virginia.
- Heinegg, Paul. "Rockingham County Personal Property Tax, 1795-1813," Free African Americans.com. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.]
- Heinegg, Paul. "Rockingham County Register of Free Negroes 1807-1859 (Partial)," Free African Americans.com. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.]
- Search the Library of Virginia's Virginia Untold collection for digitized records related to African Americans of Rockingham County.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2009 Virginia, African-American Funeral Programs, 1935-2009 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
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Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Compiled Genealogies by surname
- See Rockingham County Compiled Genealogies, for a list of 325+ published books or articles, or jump to a surname using the alphabet bar.
Compiled Genealogies for multiple Families
- The Katherine Bushman Papers, 1961-1997 at the Library of Virginia include files about Rockingham County families.
- Arrington, Mary Marie Koontz. Mountain Valley People: A Historical Sketch of a Section of Rockingham County, Virginia, and It's People. Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, 1982. FS Library Fiche 6049051 (9 fiche).
- Brock, Robert L. 47 Pioneer Families of Rockingham County, Virginia Who Migrated through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois to Missouri. Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, 1997. FS Catalog Collection 975.5922 D2b
- Heinegg, Paul. Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. 2005-present. - free online book. Adams, Ailstock, Barrell, Clark, Connally, Colley, Fortune, Hughes, Hurley, Jackson, McCoy, Mayo, Nickens, Payne, Peters, Redman, Spelman, Tyre, Vena, Venie families of pre-1820 Rockingham County, Virginia.
- Hodges, Elisabeth Wilson. They Came to Rockingham. Lynchburg, Va.: Warwick House Publishers, 2004. FS Library Book 929.273 W691he. Includes Bagenal, Berchtoll, Coakley, Colclough, Curry, Driver, Gaines, Games, Kiracofe, Long, Studebaker, Vaughan, Waddle and related families.
- Kline, Agnes. Stone Houses on Linville Creek and Their Communities, Rockingham County, Virginia. Harrisonburg, Va., 1971. Discusses the Kauffman, Trent, Kline, Branner, Rife, Bowman, and Sites families.
- Spencer, Paula Underwood. Paula Underwood Spencer Papers. MSS. Library of Virginia. Microfilmed 2001: FS Library Films 1426442-1426446. Papers consisting of genealogical research on the following families: Elmore, Johnson, Kerns, Skidmore, Cutler, Sutton, Saunders, Lindley, Fansler, Crews, Underwood, Beem, Beemer, Phares, Ellyson and Coons, including those lines which settled in Augusta, Henrico and Rockingham Counties in Virginia and in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
- Strickler, Harry M. Forerunners, A History or Genealogy of the Strickler Families, Their Kith and Kin: Including Kauffmans, Stovfrs [i.e. Stovers], Burners, Ruffners, Beavers, Shavers, Brumbachs, Zirkles, Blossers, Groves, Brubakers, Neffs, Rothgebs and Many Other Early Families of Shenandoah, Rockingham, Augusta, Frederick and Page Counties of the Shenandoah Valley: A Memorial to All Who Have Gone Before from about 1700 to the Present Time, 1924 Present Time, 1924. Dayton, Va.: Reubush-Kieffer, c1925. FS Library Fiche 6046689 (6 fiche).
- Wayland, John Walter. Virginia Valley Records: Genealogical and Historical Materials of Rockingham County, Virginia, and Related Regions (with Map). Strasburg, Va.: Shenandoah Publishing House, 1930. FS Catalog Collection 485954 Item 3 and FS Catalog Collection 975.5 H2wa 1978; digital version at Ancestry ($); and archive.org. Includes sketches of many families from the area.
- Wayland, John Walter. Men of Mark and Representative Citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Virginia. 1946. Includes ancestor sketches of hundreds of prominent citizens.
- Yankey, Lewis H. and Patricia T. Ritchie. Brocks Gap Families. 2 vols. Dayton, Va.?: Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society?, 1991-1992. FS Library Books 975.5922 D2y v. 1-v. 2. Contents: v. 1. Bible, Cherryholmes, Freed, Heavner, and Aubrey families -- v. 2. Fink and Sonifrank families.
- Yankey, Lewis H., Patricia T. Ritchie, and Lonzo Dove. Brocks Gap Miscellaneous Records: Including Notes on These Families: "Hessian John" Baker, Michael Baker, Caplinger, Custer, Dove, Halterman, Hupp, Lair, Lantz, May, Ritchie, Secrist, Siever, Souder, Whetzel, West, and Others... Dayton, Va.?: Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society?, 1992. FS Library Book 975.5922 D2ya
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
For land indexes, records, and databases, see Virginia Land and Property, including Colonial and State Land Grants.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Kaylor, Peter Cline. Abstract of Land Grant Surveys of Augusta and Rockingham Counties, Virginia, 1761-1791. Dayton, VA: Shenandoah Press, 1938. Available at FS Library.
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Wayland, John Walter. Men of Mark and Representative Citizens of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Virginia: Portraits and Biographies of Men and Women. Staunton, Va.: McClure Co., 1943. Available at FS Library; digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Wayland, John Walter. Virginia Valley Records: Genealogical and Historical Materials of Rockingham County, Virginia, and Related Regions (with Map). Strasburg, Va.: Shenandoah Publishing House, 1930. Available at FS Library (original edition FS Library US/CAN Film 485954 Item 3 and 1978 reprint FS Library US/CAN Book 975.5 H2wa 1978); digital versions at FamilySearch Digital Library.
- Arrington, Mary M. Mountain Valley People: A Historical Sketch of a Section of Rockingham County, Viginia, and it's People. Baltimore, Maryland: Gateway Press, 1982. FS Library Book 975.5922 H2. Also available on microfiche FS Library 6049051.
Maps and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
County and state maps, historical and more current, are valuable research tools. For map collections, online and in libraries, see Virginia Maps.
for more resources
- Map of Rockingham County, Virginia - 1866 by U.S. Army at Library of Congress - free. View entire page to find other maps of Rockingham at the LOC.
- FamilySearch Places: Cities and Towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
- Clay, Robert Y. "Some Delinquent Taxpayers 1787-1790," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1976):269-274. Available at FS Library; digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). These records identify migrants who left the county and often their intended destinations. Rockingham County's 1787 Delinquent List appears on pp. 273-274.
Military Records[edit | edit source]
- 1919-1980 Virginia, Various Counties, Military Discharge Records, 1919-1980 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
French and Indian War
- Bockstruck, Lloyd DeWitt. Virginia's Colonial Soldiers. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988. Available at FS Library. Online at: Ancestry ($). Identifies some Rockingham County veterans; see place name index.
Revolutionary War
- Rockingham County residents' participation in the Revolutionary War.[14]
- "A Page from Court Orders of Rockingham County, VA" [Showing Public Claims Enabling Descendants to Join Revolutionary Societies], The American Genealogist, Vol. 11 (1934):4. Available at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).
- Revolutionary Soldiers, Rockingham County, Virginia. Harrisonburg, Va.: The Historical Society?, 1976. Available at FS Library; digital version at Ancestry ($).
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshals of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. 1841. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). 1967 reprint: FS Catalog Collection 973 X2pc 1840. See Virginia, Western District, Rockingham County on page 136.
- Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." FS Library Book 973 M24ur; digital version at Ancestry ($). Includes veterans. Virginia section begins on page 238.
War of 1812
- Switzer, Frank C. and Dorothy A. Boyd-Rush Rosters, Rockingham Units, War of 1812. Rockingham Historical Society, 1987. Leaves 12. FS Library Book 975.5 A1
- Yankey, Lewis H. and Patricia T Ritchie. Brocks Gap Miscellaneous Research. FS Library Book 975.5922 D2
- List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance... Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. FS Catalog Collection 973 M2Lp v. 5; Online at: Internet Archive, Ancestry ($). See Vol. 5, Virginia, Rockingham County, p. 101-102. Identifies War of 1812 veterans living in this county in 1883.
Regiments. Rockingham County men served in the 58th and 116th Regiments.[15]
Civil War
- 1861-1864 Rockingham Co. County Clerk. List of Civil War veterans, 1861-1864
- 1861-1865 Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1861-1865 Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- Rockingham County Men in Gray FS Catalog book 975.5922 M2s
- A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations 1861-1865 FS Catalog book 975.5 M2vr v. 29
Regiments. Service men in Rockingham County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Rockingham County:
- -1st Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate)|1st Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate)]].
- - 6th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company C (Rockingham Cavalry, River Rangers).[16]
- - 7th Battalion, Virginia Reserves (Confederate). Companies A, B, and C.
- - 7th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Ashby's) (Confederate). Company B (2nd) (Letcher Brock's Gap Rifles), Company H (1st) (Brock's Gap Sharpshooters), Company H (2nd) (Captain John C. Shoup), and Company I (Captain E.A. Shands).[17]
- - 9th Battalion, Virginia Reserves (Confederate). Companies A, B, C, and D.
- - 10th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company B (Rockingham Rifles), Company C (2nd) (Mauck's Company), Company D (Bridgewater Greys), Company E (Peaked Mt. Grays), Company G (Valley Guards), Company H (Chrisman's Infantry), and Company I (Riverton Invincibles).[18]
- - 10th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (1st Cavalry Regiment, Wise Legion (Confederate). Company H (Valley Rangers).[19]
- - 11th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry. Company C (The Brock's Gap Sharpshooters or The Brock's Gap Rifles).[20]
- - 12th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company H.[21]
- - 23rd Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company B.[22]
- - 25th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Heck's) (Confederate). Company I (Mount Crawford Cavalry aka Valley Rifles).[23]
- - 31st Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). 1st Company B (Pendleton County Minutemen).[24]
- - 33rd Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company I (Rockingham Confederates).[25]
Men from Rockingham County were also members of the following regiments: 35th Battlion Virginia Cavalry, 58th Virginia Militia, 3rd Battalion Virginia Reserves, 97th Virginia Militia, 136th Virginia Militia, 146th Virginia Militia.
Civil War Battles
The following Civil War battles were fought in Rockingham County.[26]
- June 8, 1862 - Cross Keys.
- June 9, 1862 - Port Republic.
- Battles of the American Civil War maps - filter by state or by battle name.
World War I
World War II
- 1940-1945 Virginia, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Online Naturalization Indexes and Records
- 1906-1929 Virginia Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1929 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For online newspaper resources, see the Virginia Newspapers page.
- 1800s-Current Virginia, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- Indexed images of the Virginia Gazette (1736-1780) are available online through the Colonial Williamsburg website. In addition, Professor Tom Costa and The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia have created a database of all runaway advertisements for slaves, indentured servants, transported convicts, and ship deserters listed in this source and other Virginia newspapers (1736-1803), see: The Geography of Slavery in Virginia. These newspapers are valuable resources for all regions of Virginia.
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
For statewide probate records, indexes, and databases, see Virginia Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1639-1850 Virginia Land, Marriage and Probate Records 1639-1850 at Ancestry — index, incomplete ($)
- 1652-1900 Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1803-1806 Images of Wills and Estates Virginia Pioneers ($)
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
For additional online collections and the value and use of Virginia's tax lists in your research, see Virginia Taxation.
Online Tax Indexes and Records
- 1777 "Augusta County Tithables, 1777," Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 42 Iss. 4 (Nov. 2004):307-310. Available at FS Library. Covers area of present-day eastern Rockingham and Page counties.
- 1782-1863 Personal property tax lists of Rockingham County, 1782-1863. FS films 33507-33520 - images.
- 1787 Schreiner-Yantis, Netti and Florene Speakman Love. The 1787 Census of Virginia: An Accounting of the Name of Every White Male Tithable Over 21 Years, the Number of White Males Between 16 & 21 Years, the Number of Slaves over 16 & Those Under 16 Years, Together with a Listing of Their Horses, Cattle & Carriages, and Also the Names of All Persons to Whom Ordinary Licenses and Physician's Licenses Were Issued. 3 vols. Springfield, Va.: Genealogical Books in Print, 1987. FS Library. The source of this publication is the 1787 personal property tax list. Rockingham County is included in Vol. 1.
- 1787 Clay, Robert Y. "Some Delinquent Taxpayers 1787-1790," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1976):269-274. Available at FS Library; digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). These records often identify migrants who left the county and their intended destinations. Rockingham County's 1787 Delinquent List appears on pp. 273-274.
- 1788 Boyd-Rush, Dorothy. "Three Tax-Militia Lists: Heads of Families and Male Members Thereof Over Sixteen Years of Age of Rockingham County, Virginia, 1788," The Rockingham Recorder, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Apr. 1982):66-68. Available at FS Library.
- 1790 Boyd-Rush, Dorothy. "1790 Poling List, Rockingham County, Virginia," The Rockingham Recorder, Vol. 3, No. 2 (Apr. 1982):69. Available at FS Library.
- 1792 Strickler, Harry M. Tenth Legion Tithables (Rockingham Division) Rockingham County, Virginia Tithables for 1792: A List of All the White Males Above 16 Years of Age in the County and All the Slaves Above 12 in the County in 1792. Luray, Virginia: H.M. Strickler, 1930. Available at FS Library US/CAN Book 975.592 R4sand FS Library US/CAN Film 1425662 Item 7 ; digital version at Ancestry ($).
- 1795-1813Heinegg, Paul. "Rockingham County Personal Property Tax, 1795-1813," Free African Americans.com. Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.
- 1798 Tax list of house owners, 1798, Rockingham Recorder. Dayton VA: Apr 1945. Vol. 1 Iss. 1.
- 1815 Ward, Roger D. 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer). 6 vols. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co., 1997-2000. Available at FS Library. The source for this publication is 1815 land tax. Rockingham County is included in Vol. 4.
- 1815 Boyd-Rush, Dorothy A. "1815 Rockingham County Tax List," Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 40, No. 2 (May 2002):89-102; Vol. 40, No. 3 (Aug. 2002):200-206; Vol. 40, No. 4 (Nov. 2002):317-326; Vol. 41, No. 1 (Feb. 2003):55-68; Vol. 41, No. 2 (May 2003):149-166; Vol. 42, No. 2 (Feb. 2005):97-104; Vol. 43, No. 1 (Feb. 2005):70-74. Available at FS Library; digital version of Volume 40 at Ancestry ($).
- 1815 Boyd-Bragg, Dorothy A. "A List of the Free Negroes, Rockingham County [1815]," Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 45, No. 1 (Feb. 2007):63-64. Available at FS Library.
- 1816 Boyd-Bragg, Dorothy A. "Rockingham County Tax Book for the Year 1816," Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 42, No. 3 (Aug. 2004):189-202; Vol. 42, No. 4 (Nov. 2004):265-284; Vol. 43, No. 2 (May 2005):153-168. Available at FS Library.
- 1857-1863 Tax Digests Virginia Pioneers ($)
- 1865 Tax Digests Virginia Pioneers ($)
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
For additional indexes, databases, and details, see Virginia Vital Records.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1584-1917 Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1715-1901 Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1853-1866 Virginia, Slave Birth Index, 1853-1866 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1853-1856 Rockingham County, Virginia Births, 1853-1856 at Ancestry ($)
- 1853-1896 Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Birth Records, 1853-1896 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images, coverage may vary
- 1853-1949 Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Birth Records, 1853-1949 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; coverage may vary
- 1857-1859 County, Virginia Births, 1857-1859 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1860-1865 Rockingham County, Virginia Births, 1860-1865 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1866-1884 Rockingham County, Virginia Births, 1866-1884 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1885-1887 Rockingham County, Virginia Births, 1885-1887 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1888-1890 Rockingham County, Virginia Births, 1888-1890 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1891-1893 Rockingham County, Virginia Births, 1891-1893 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1894-1896 Rockingham County, Virginia Births, 1894-1896 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1912-1913 Virginia, Birth Certificates, 1912-1913 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1660-1800 Virginia Marriages 1660-1800 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1660-1959 Virginia, United States Marriages at at Findmypast — index ($) — index $
- 1715-1901 Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1740-1850 Virginia Marriages 1740-1850 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1771-1989 Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1785-1940 Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index; Also at: MyHeritage ($)
- 1785-1940 Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1795-1825 Wayland, John Walter. Virginia Valley Records: Genealogical and Historical Materials of Rockingham County, Virginia, and Related Regions (with Map). Strasburg, Va.: Shenandoah Publishing House, 1930. Available at FS Library (original edition FS Library US/CAN Film 485954 Item 3 and 1978 reprint FS Library US/CAN Book 975.5 H2wa 1978); digital versions at Ancestry ($), FamilySearch Digital Library and archive.org. Includes Rockingham Marriages 1795-1825.
- 1853-1935 Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, County Marriage Registers, 1853-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Ancestry ($)
- 1864-1926 Virginia, Rockingham County, Marriage Registers, 1864-1926 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1936-1988 Virginia, Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1715-1901 Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1853-1861 Rockingham County, Virginia Deaths, 1853-1861 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1853-1893 Rockingham County, Virginia Deaths 1853-1893 at VAGenWeb
- 1853-1911 Virginia, U.S., Death Registers, 1853-1911 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1853-1912 Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1862-1877 Rockingham County, Virginia Deaths, 1862-1877 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1878-1885 Rockingham County, Virginia Deaths, 1878-1885 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1886-1895 Rockingham County, Virginia Deaths, 1886-1895 at Ancestry - index ($)
- 1912-1939 Selected Certificates of Death from Rockingham County, Virginia 1912 thru 1939 at VAGenWeb
- 1912-1987 Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1918-1988 Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-1988 at FamilySearch — index & images
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Rockingham County. For state-wide facilities, see Virginia Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Elkins West Virginia FamilySearch Center
- Franklin West Virginia FamilySearch Center
- Front Royal Virginia FamilySearch Center
- Harrisonburg Virginia FamilySearch Center
- Waynesboro Virginia FamilySearch Center
- Jefferson Madison Regional Library - Crozet Branch - an affiliate library
- Shenandoah County Library - an affiliate library
- Staunton Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Rockingham County. For state-wide library facilities, see Virginia Archives and Libraries.
- Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society
382 High Street / P.O. Box 716
Dayton, VA 22812
Website - Central Virginia Genealogical Association
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Rockingham County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Virginia Societies.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
- "A Guide to the Counties of Virginia: Rockingham County," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 22, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1981):54-57. Available at FS Library; digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($).
- Good, Rebecca H. and Rebecca A. Ebert. Finding Your People in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia: A Genealogical Guide. Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1998. 4th ed. FS Library Book 975 D27e 1998
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Newberry
- ↑ http://www.rockinghamcountyva.gov/120/History-of-County
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Lost Records Localities: Counties and Cities with Missing Records, 6, in Library of Virginia (accessed 4 April 2014).
- ↑ Dorothy Boyd-Rush, "The Estate of Margaret Sipe of Rockingham County, Virginia," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 29, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1985):268-271. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FS Library Book 975.5 B2vg v. 29 (1985).
- ↑ Newberry
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Rockingham County,_Virginia," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockingham_County,_Virginia#Communities accessed 25 February 2020.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Robert Baylor Semple and George William Beale, A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia (Pitt and Dickinson, 1894), 229-230. Digital version at Google Books.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 F. Edward Wright, Early Church Records of Rockingham County, Virginia (Westminster, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1998). FS Library Book 975.5922 K2w.
- ↑ William Meade, Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Virginia, 2 vols. (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott and Co., 1861). Digital versions at Internet Archive: Vol. I and Vol. II.
- ↑ Jay Worrall, The Friendly Virginians: America's First Quakers (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Publishing Company, 1994), 537-539. FS Library Book 975.5 K2wj.
- ↑ J.T. McAllister, Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War: McAllister's Data (Hot Springs, Va.: McAllister Pub. Co., 1913), 43-44. Digitized by Internet Archive.
- ↑ Stuart Lee Butler, A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812 (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., 1988), 190. FS Library Book 975.5 M2bs.
- ↑ Michael P. Musick, 6th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1990). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 66.
- ↑ Richard L. Armstrong, 7th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1992). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 88.
- ↑ Terrence V. Murphy, 10th Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1989). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 55.
- ↑ Robert J. Driver, 10th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1992). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 87.
- ↑ Richard L. Armstrong, 11th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1989). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 52.
- ↑ Dennis E. Frye, 12th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1988). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 42.
- ↑ Richard B. Kleese, 23rd Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1995). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 118.
- ↑ Richard L. Armstrong, 25th Virginia Infantry and 9th Battalion Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1990). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 71.
- ↑ John M. Ashcraft, 31st Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1988). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 48.
- ↑ Lowell Reidenbaugh, 33rd Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1987). FS Library Book 975.5 M2vr v. 35.
- ↑ National Park Service, Civil War Battles. Filter by state or battle name.
