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*The Office of Vital Records has records of births, deaths, and marriages, 1853-1896 and since June 14, 1912. | *The Office of Vital Records has records of births, deaths, and marriages, 1853-1896 and since June 14, 1912. | ||
:*Between 1896 and June 14, 1912, there was no law for the registration of births and deaths. | |||
*Unrestricted records from Virginia Department of Health are [https://www.ancestry.com/collections/search/va/doh Online] | *Unrestricted records from Virginia Department of Health are [https://www.ancestry.com/collections/search/va/doh Online] | ||
*Restricted vital records are available with valid identification to immediate family members only: mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister, and grandparents or a legal guardian. | *Restricted vital records are available with valid identification to immediate family members only: mother, father, spouse, child, brother, sister, and grandparents or a legal guardian. | ||
:*[https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/vital-records-forms-2/ Order Forms] | |||
:*[https://vr-fhs.vdh.virginia.gov/vvestsapps/f?p=140:1 Online Application] | |||
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[https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/bmd Website]<br> | [https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/bmd Website]<br> | ||
*The Archives Division, has copies of surviving Virginia birth and death records for the period 1853 to 1896 and marriage records prior to 1936. <ref>[https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/genealogy/ per '''Genealogy'''] at Virginia Department of Health</ref> | *The Archives Division, has copies of surviving Virginia birth and death records for the period 1853 to 1896 and marriage records prior to 1936. <ref>[https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/genealogy/ per '''Genealogy'''] at Virginia Department of Health</ref> | ||
:*Available on microfilm for use by the public. Copies of the microfilm may be lent to other libraries from The Library of Virginia - Archives Division, Inter Library Loan Department. | |||
:*Any "Marriage Bonds" prior to 1853 that are still in existence are also in the Virginia State Library and Archives. | |||
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County marriage records are generally the earliest and most complete vital records for Virginia. | County marriage records are generally the earliest and most complete vital records for Virginia. | ||
*'''Records before 1853:''' Beginning in 1660, a couple could receive approval to marry by posting a bond <ref> A bond was usually posted by a relative of the couple. This individual went to a county court clerk and made a written agreement to forfeit a sum of money as a guarantee that there was no reason to prevent the marriage. Records of marriage bonds sometimes include the parents' consent to the marriage if the bride or groom was a minor. The county clerk then gave the couple a license to be given to the minister who would perform the ceremony. </ref> with a civil authority or by announcing banns <ref>Marriage banns were announcements or publications of the intended marriage presented at three church meetings. This avoided the need to post a bond or obtain a license. The banns were recorded in the church records and the minister then performed the ceremony. A law passed in 1780 required ministers to report all marriages to the county clerk. </ref> in church. <br> | *'''Records before 1853:''' Beginning in 1660, a couple could receive approval to marry by posting a bond <ref> A bond was usually posted by a relative of the couple. This individual went to a county court clerk and made a written agreement to forfeit a sum of money as a guarantee that there was no reason to prevent the marriage. Records of marriage bonds sometimes include the parents' consent to the marriage if the bride or groom was a minor. The county clerk then gave the couple a license to be given to the minister who would perform the ceremony. </ref> with a civil authority or by announcing banns <ref>Marriage banns were announcements or publications of the intended marriage presented at three church meetings. This avoided the need to post a bond or obtain a license. The banns were recorded in the church records and the minister then performed the ceremony. A law passed in 1780 required ministers to report all marriages to the county clerk. </ref> in church. <br> | ||
:*'''1660-1780:''' The colonial government required church officials to record all marriages in church registers | |||
:*'''1780-1853:''' Churches were required to report marriages to the county clerk, loosely enforced | |||
*'''1853 to current:''' Clerk of the court in the county or independent city issued marriage licenses. When the marriage was performed, the minister returned the information to the clerk, who recorded it in the county or city records. Couples or their parents applying for a license provided the following information for the bride and groom (Beginning in 1858, a standard form was used): <br> | *'''1853 to current:''' Clerk of the court in the county or independent city issued marriage licenses. When the marriage was performed, the minister returned the information to the clerk, who recorded it in the county or city records. Couples or their parents applying for a license provided the following information for the bride and groom (Beginning in 1858, a standard form was used): <br> | ||
:*Full names | |||
:*Ages | |||
:*Places of birth and residence | |||
:*Proposed marriage date and place | |||
:*Whether single or widowed | |||
:*Parents' names | |||
:*Groom's occupation | |||
:*Minister's name | |||
:*For many counties the certificates no longer exist, but the county marriage record books generally provide the marriage information and the parents' names. | |||
*'''1866-1870's''' [[Virginia Cohabitation Records]] are a record of free African American families living in Virginia immediately after the end of the Civil War. | *'''1866-1870's''' [[Virginia Cohabitation Records]] are a record of free African American families living in Virginia immediately after the end of the Civil War. | ||
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*'''1853-1896''' counties recorded births and deaths. | *'''1853-1896''' counties recorded births and deaths. | ||
*'''1898-1911''' On March 4, 1898, per an Act of Assembly, the state halted the recordings of births and deaths. <ref>[https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/bmd Birth, Marriage, and Death Records (1853–Present)] per Library of Virginia site</ref> | *'''1898-1911''' On March 4, 1898, per an Act of Assembly, the state halted the recordings of births and deaths. <ref>[https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/bmd Birth, Marriage, and Death Records (1853–Present)] per Library of Virginia site</ref> | ||
:*Some metropolitan areas did maintain records during this time. | |||
*'''1912-present''' Statewide registration began and has been continuous | *'''1912-present''' Statewide registration began and has been continuous | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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#Verify vital information with other sources <br> | #Verify vital information with other sources <br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
:''See also:''<br> | |||
:* [[Virginia Research Tips and Strategies]] | |||
:* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]] | |||
:* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]] | |||
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|} | |} | ||
:''See also:''<br> | |||
:*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss. | |||