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''[[United States | ''[[United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Virginia]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''[[Virginia_Vital_Records|Vital Records]]''''' | ||
[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] | [[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] has additional research guidance on researching and using vital records. A copy or an extract of most original records can be purchased from the [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/Virginia.htm Virginia Vital Records State Department of Health] or the County Clerk's office of the county where the event occurred. | ||
{| | {| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" width="100%" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="44%" | __TOC__ | | width="44%" | __TOC__ | ||
| valign="middle" | <center>''' | | valign="middle" | <center>''' [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|350px]] '''<br></center> | ||
== Vital Records Reference Dates == | == Vital Records Reference Dates == | ||
Virginia's civil records start the following years: | Virginia's civil records start the following years: | ||
{| | {| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" width="100%" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="16.6% | | align="center" width="16.6%" | | ||
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6% | | bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16.6%" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Virginia_Vital_Records#Birth_and_Death_Records Birth]''' | ||
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6% | | bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16.6%" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Virginia_Vital_Records#Marriage_Records County Marriages]''' | ||
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6% | | bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16.6%" | '''[http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Virginia_Vital_Records#Birth_and_Death_Records Deaths]''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | | bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16.6%" | Earliest | ||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1853-1896 | |||
| width="16.6%" align="center" | | align="center" width="16.6%" | 1706 | ||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1853-1896 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | | bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16.6%" | Statewide Registration | ||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1912 | |||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1853 | |||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1912 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#ffffcc" width="16.6%" align="center" | | bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" width="16.6%" | General Compliance | ||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | late 1917 | |||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | 1853 | |||
| align="center" width="16.6%" | late 1917 | |||
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Virginia | == Virginia Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online == | ||
The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Virginia Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]]. Most online resources for Virginia Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index. | The following is a list of online resources useful for locating Virginia Vital Records which consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]]. Most online resources for Virginia Vital Records are indexes. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index. | ||
*Search for Virginia Collections on [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start FamilySearch Record Search] under [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#r=0;p=allCollections Canada, USA, and Mexico] - Free | *Search for Virginia Collections on [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start FamilySearch Record Search] under [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#r=0;p=allCollections Canada, USA, and Mexico] - Free | ||
*Search the [http://www.ancestryinstitution.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=49&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true Virginia Birth, Marriage & Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $ | *Search the [http://www.ancestryinstitution.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=49&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true Virginia Birth, Marriage & Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $ | ||
*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/virginia.htm Virginia Certificates] online | *Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/virginia.htm Virginia Certificates] online | ||
*The Library of Virginia: Vital Statistics (Birth, Marriage, and Death Records) - [http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/vital/index.htm Vital Statistics] | *The Library of Virginia: Vital Statistics (Birth, Marriage, and Death Records) - [http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/vital/index.htm Vital Statistics] | ||
*Virginia Marriage Records - [http://www.genwed.com/state/vagen.htm Accomac to York County Virginia Marriage Records] | *Virginia Marriage Records - [http://www.genwed.com/state/vagen.htm Accomac to York County Virginia Marriage Records] | ||
*[http://www.deathindexes.com/virginia/ Online Virginia Death Records & Indexes] | *[http://www.deathindexes.com/virginia/ Online Virginia Death Records & Indexes] | ||
*[http://www.vdh.state.va.us/Vital_Records/index.htm Virginia Department of Health: Office of Vital Records] | *[http://www.vdh.state.va.us/Vital_Records/index.htm Virginia Department of Health: Office of Vital Records] | ||
== Virginia Vital Records == | == Virginia Vital Records == | ||
" The first laws of Virginia were called the Laws Divine, Morall and Martiall, and were enacted by Sir Thomas Dale in 1610. | " The first laws of Virginia were called the Laws Divine, Morall and Martiall, and were enacted by Sir Thomas Dale in 1610. The code required colonial Virginia ministers to record all christenings, marriages and burials in registers. Most of these registers have not survived. In 1619 ministers were required to present the register to the Secretary of the Colony and in 1642 the parish clerks were required to submit a monthly list of vital recores to the commander of every monethly court" Few if any of the monthly lists were recorded." | ||
" The House of Burgesses passed a law regarding vital records in March 1660. | " The House of Burgesses passed a law regarding vital records in March 1660. ''Act XX, an Act to Record all Marriages, Births, and Burial, decreed,'' ........" ''Red Book ''page 771 | ||
"Until 1786, the Anglican Church was the state church of Virginia. In accordance with English law, the church kept parish registers of vital statistics. Most no longer exist. Some are in the Virginia State Library. The Archives Division of the Virginia State Library has copies of all existing Virginia birth and death records prior to 1896." ''Handbook for Genealogist ''page 701 | "Until 1786, the Anglican Church was the state church of Virginia. In accordance with English law, the church kept parish registers of vital statistics. Most no longer exist. Some are in the Virginia State Library. The Archives Division of the Virginia State Library has copies of all existing Virginia birth and death records prior to 1896." ''Handbook for Genealogist ''page 701 | ||
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Few births were recorded by civil authorities before 1853. You may find some information on pre-1853 births and deaths in genealogies, histories, church and Bible records, and collections of personal papers. | Few births were recorded by civil authorities before 1853. You may find some information on pre-1853 births and deaths in genealogies, histories, church and Bible records, and collections of personal papers. | ||
From 1853 to 1896, the state required the counties to record births and deaths. Microfilm copies of these are at the Library of Virginia. The Library of Virginia has indexes of the birth records to 1896. A fully searchable index to Virginia city and county [http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas29&local_base=clas29 Death Registers] for 1853-1896 are on-line. This is an on-going project sponsored by the Virginia Genealogical Society. Fifteen cities and counties have been indexed to date. | From 1853 to 1896, the state required the counties to record births and deaths. Microfilm copies of these are at the Library of Virginia. The Library of Virginia has indexes of the birth records to 1896. A fully searchable index to Virginia city and county [http://ajax.lva.lib.va.us/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas29&local_base=clas29 Death Registers] for 1853-1896 are on-line. This is an on-going project sponsored by the Virginia Genealogical Society. Fifteen cities and counties have been indexed to date. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of many of the county birth and death records at the Library of Virginia. The statewide birth record index from 1853 to 1896. {{FHL|777933|item}} 2026327-52, with birth records from 1853 to 1896 on films beginning with 2046907). | ||
Registration of births and deaths was not required between 1896 and 14 June 1912, but the health departments of some cities kept birth and death records during that period. Delayed birth registrations for the years 1896-1912 are available at the Division of Vital Records (see address below), and an index is on Family History Library films. | Registration of births and deaths was not required between 1896 and 14 June 1912, but the health departments of some cities kept birth and death records during that period. Delayed birth registrations for the years 1896-1912 are available at the Division of Vital Records (see address below), and an index is on Family History Library films. {{FHL|777933|item}} 2026352-3. | ||
Statewide registration of vital statistics began in 1912. The Division of Vital Records has the records from 14 June 1912 to the present. The Family History Library does not have copies of these records. You can obtain copies by going to [http://vitalrec.com/va.html VitalRecords.com] | Statewide registration of vital statistics began in 1912. The Division of Vital Records has the records from 14 June 1912 to the present. The Family History Library does not have copies of these records. You can obtain copies by going to [http://vitalrec.com/va.html VitalRecords.com] | ||
== Marriage Records == | == Marriage Records == | ||
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Few marriage records prior to 1730 have survived. Those that exist may be found in various places. | Few marriage records prior to 1730 have survived. Those that exist may be found in various places. | ||
'''Records before 1853''' | '''Records before 1853''' Beginning in 1660, a couple could receive approval to marry by posting a bond with a civil authority or by announcing banns in church. | ||
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 (about $150 in the 1800s) 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. | 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 (about $150 in the 1800s) 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. | ||
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Beginning in 1660 the colonial government required church officials to record all marriages in church registers. Before 1780 these marriages were seldom reported to the county clerk, but in some cases they are recorded in county court order books. A law passed in 1780 required ministers to report all marriages to the county clerk. | Beginning in 1660 the colonial government required church officials to record all marriages in church registers. Before 1780 these marriages were seldom reported to the county clerk, but in some cases they are recorded in county court order books. A law passed in 1780 required ministers to report all marriages to the county clerk. | ||
'''Records since 1853''' | '''Records since 1853''' An 1853 state law required the clerk of the court in the county or independent city to issue marriage licenses and keep marriage records. Couples applying for a license provided the following information for the bride and groom. (Beginning in 1858, a standard form was used.) | ||
*Full names | *Full names | ||
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The Library of Virginia has compiled a database entitled "[http://www.lva.virginia.gov/whatwehave/vital/marriage-records/index.htm Marriage Records Collection]" of various card index files to marriages, formerly available to researchers in their reading room, that were created over the years by different individuals. It indexes selected information found in a variety of collections and sources at the Library. | The Library of Virginia has compiled a database entitled "[http://www.lva.virginia.gov/whatwehave/vital/marriage-records/index.htm Marriage Records Collection]" of various card index files to marriages, formerly available to researchers in their reading room, that were created over the years by different individuals. It indexes selected information found in a variety of collections and sources at the Library. | ||
Freedmen's Bureau Virginia Marriages ca. 1815-1866--Names of thousands of former slaves are included in these records. | Freedmen's Bureau Virginia Marriages ca. 1815-1866--Names of thousands of former slaves are included in these records. A free index can be viewed at [http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1414908 FamilySearch Record Search]. Records may include the name of the bride & groom, date of marriage registration, residence, previous marriages, names and ages of children. | ||
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of marriage bonds and marriage registers for most counties to about 1935 (and some to the 1960s). They can be found in the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under: | The Family History Library has microfilm copies of marriage bonds and marriage registers for most counties to about 1935 (and some to the 1960s). They can be found in the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under: | ||
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::VIRGINIA, [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS. | ::VIRGINIA, [COUNTY] - VITAL RECORDS. | ||
The Family History Library does not have copies of the marriage indexes at the Library of Virginia but has the Marriage Registers, 1853-1935. <ref>53 Family History Library films beginning with | The Family History Library does not have copies of the marriage indexes at the Library of Virginia but has the Marriage Registers, 1853-1935. <ref>53 Family History Library films beginning with {{FHL|775529|item}} 2056971 item 4. | ||
The many published marriage records that are available include: | The many published marriage records that are available include: | ||
''Marriage Records: Early to 1850'', ''Southern States.'' | ''Marriage Records: Early to 1850'', ''Southern States.'' [Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 1995. {{FHL|609208|item}} compact disc #9 part 229. Can not be circulated to Family History Centers. Indexes tens of thousands of Virginia county marriage records from 1735 to 1850 on microfilms at the Family History Library | ||
''Marriage Records'' ''[Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina].'' | ''Marriage Records'' ''[Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina].'' [Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 1994. {{FHL|963986|item}} compact disc #9 part 4. Can not circulate to Family History Centers.Also called “Hunting for Bears” collection Indexes tens of thousands of original county marriage records from the late 1700s to 1880. | ||
''Virginia Marriage Records from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly''. | ''Virginia Marriage Records from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly''. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing, 1982. {{FHL|149032|item}} This is especially useful for finding marriage information from the 1700s. It is based on various sources for 41 counties. | ||
A guide to [[Virginia]] marriage records is ''Marriage Records in the Virginia State Library: A Researcher's Guide''. | A guide to [[Virginia]] marriage records is ''Marriage Records in the Virginia State Library: A Researcher's Guide''. Vogt, John, and T., William Kethley. ''Marriage Records in the Virginia State Library: A Researcher's Guide''. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co. 1988. ({{FHL|624073|item}} 975.5 V23v 1988. Describes the available microfilmed and published records and has helpful background information. | ||
More published marriage records can be found in the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under: | More published marriage records can be found in the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under: | ||
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*[[Virginia Periodicals|Virginia Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information. | *[[Virginia Periodicals|Virginia Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information. | ||
*[[Virginia Military Records|Virginia Military Records]]: Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information | *[[Virginia Military Records|Virginia Military Records]]: Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information. In addtion, soldiers' homes records can included this same information. | ||
*[[Virginia | *[[Virginia Probate Records|Probate Records]]: If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date. | ||
*[[Virginia History|History]]: Local histories, family histories and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the Family History Library catalog. | |||
==== More Online Virginia Vital Records Links ==== | ==== More Online Virginia Vital Records Links ==== | ||
*[http://fhlfavorites.info/Links/USA_States/States_Frames/Virginia/virginia.htm Virginia Links] from [http://fhlfavorites.info/ fhlfavorites.info] - | *[http://fhlfavorites.info/Links/USA_States/States_Frames/Virginia/virginia.htm Virginia Links] from [http://fhlfavorites.info/ fhlfavorites.info] - Free | ||
*[http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html# Virginia Databases] listed on [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ Rootsweb.com] | *[http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html# Virginia Databases] listed on [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ Rootsweb.com] ;- Free | ||
* | *[http://vagenweb.org/ VAGenWeb Project] - Free | ||
*The Vital Records Search and Information Directory for [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-VA-NDX.html Virginia] - Free/$ | *The Vital Records Search and Information Directory for [http://www.daddezio.com/records/room/RR-VA-NDX.html Virginia] - Free/$ | ||
*German Roots Links for Virginia [http://www.germanroots.com/vitalrecords.html#Virginia Birth & Marriage] | *German Roots Links for Virginia [http://www.germanroots.com/vitalrecords.html#Virginia Birth & Marriage] and [http://www.germanroots.com/deathrecords.html Death] Records - Free/$ These links are for all records, not just those belonging to those of German ancestry. | ||
*Progenealogists Links for the [http://progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthb.htm United States]. Press '''Ctrl + F''' on the keyboard to search for '''Virginia''' or '''VA''' - | *Progenealogists Links for the [http://progenealogists.com/genealogysleuthb.htm United States]. Press '''Ctrl + F''' on the keyboard to search for '''Virginia''' or '''VA''' - Free/$ | ||
=== Further Reading === | === Further Reading === | ||
*''Virginia Genealogical Resources'' | *''Virginia Genealogical Resources'' Clay, Robert Young. ''Virginia Genealogical Resources''. Detroit, Michigan: Detroit Society of Genealogical Research, 1980. {{FHL|330258|item}} Explains Virginia geography and the usefulness and availability of civil, church, and personal record types in Virginia, especially at the Library of Virginia. | ||
*''Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources''. <ref>Eichholtz, Alice, ed. ''Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources''. Revised edition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry, 1992. | *''Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources''. <ref>Eichholtz, Alice, ed. ''Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources''. Revised edition. Salt Lake City, Utah: Ancestry, 1992. {{FHL|611946|item}} D27rb 1992. Contains bibliographies and background information on history and ethnic groups. Also contains maps and tables showing when each county was created. | ||
*''Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources.'' <ref>McGinnis, Carol. ''Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources.'' Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publication Company, 1993. | *''Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources.'' <ref>McGinnis, Carol. ''Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources.'' Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publication Company, 1993. {{FHL|638715|item}} 975.5 A3m. | ||
*''Virginia Genealogical Research''. <ref>Schweitzer, George K. ''Virginia Genealogical Research''. Knoxville, Tennessee: G. Schweitzer, 1984. | *''Virginia Genealogical Research''. <ref>Schweitzer, George K. ''Virginia Genealogical Research''. Knoxville, Tennessee: G. Schweitzer, 1984. {{FHL|435227|item}} 975.5 D27s. Includes geography, bibliographies, repositories, and county-by-county inventories. | ||
== | == Family History Library Virginia Vital Records Collections == | ||
<br>This is a collection of Family History Library records which are abstracted, indexed and titled the [[Virginia Vital Records Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Virginia Vital Records Index.]] For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This index is an index of the births, marriages, and deaths throughout Kentucky. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region. | <br>This is a collection of Family History Library records which are abstracted, indexed and titled the [[Virginia Vital Records Index (FamilySearch Historical Records)|Virginia Vital Records Index.]] For over 30 years, volunteer indexers extracted this information from microfilm copies of the original records. In 1998, a few of the entries were published on 7 CDs by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the "North America Vital Records Index." This index is an index of the births, marriages, and deaths throughout Kentucky. The index is not necessarily complete for any particular place or region. | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{Virginia|Virginia}} | {{Virginia|Virginia}} | ||
[[Category:Virginia | {{Virginia-stub}} | ||
[[Category:Virginia]] | |||