Virginia Genealogical Society
Purpose of the Society
The Virginia Genealogical Society was organized in 1960. Its mission is to:
- promote and foster family history education and research
- publish genealogical information
- and share accumulated knowledge.
Help the Society Can Provide
- Because of its close proximity to the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Historical Society, the Society does not maintain record collections, a research facility, library, or surname material. (the websites below are temporarily down 10/13/2016)
- Virtual VIGR (Virginia Institute for Genealogical Research) collects articles of interest to Virginia genealogical research for the use of individual and family members of the Society. Access to Virtual VIGR is not available to institutions or individuals who are not active members of the Society.
- Resources
Publications for Sale
The Virginia Genealogical Society publications program includes three major series:
- Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents: 1732-1776 (vols. 4-8). Land patent records are an invaluable genealogical and historical resource for researchers of early Virginia. The Virginia Genealogical Society has issued five volumes taking the three volumes of Nell Marion Nugent's abstracts of Virginia land patents to 1776.
- Index to Virginia Estates: 1800-1865 (10 vols). Index of all Virginia estate-related records found in will books and other collections, typically on microfilm. This ten-volume set has been completed geographically. Funding for this series has been made possible in part by a grant from the Richard Slatten Endowment for Virginia History of The Community Foundation in memory of Richard Slatten, a former President of the Virginia Genealogical Society.
- The Magazine of Virginia Genealogy vols. 1-40 are available on CD; vols. 34-45 are available for purchase as printed back issues.
To learn more about and purchase publications, visit the Store on our website.
Benefits to Those Who Join the Society
Members of the Virginia Genealogical Society enjoy:
- The Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Published quarterly; covers primarily Virginia records. Copies of back issues are available.
- The Virginia Genealogical Society Newsletter. Published bi-monthly; winner of the 1996 and 1997 National Genealogical Society Newsletter Competition. Contains feature articles, queries, book reviews, column "Glad You Asked That...," and announcements. Copies of back issues are available.
- Access to the Members-Only section of the VGS website, with premium articles and information of interest to the Virginia researcher.
- The names of Friends, Patrons, Benefactors, and Life Members are published in the Newsletter.
- Discounted registration fees for conferences.
- Twenty percent discount on Society publications.
To learn more, visit the Membership page on our website.
Society Happenings
Meetings
The Society holds an annual membership meeting as part of its spring conference in Richmond. Please visit the Home or Events page on our website for announcements and notifications.
Workshops
The Society holds two conferences each year: one in the spring in Richmond, Virginia; and one in the fall at various locations around the state.
Please visit the Home or Events page on our website for announcements and notifications
Board Meetings
The Board of Governors meets at the Society's administrative offices in Richmond, Virginia, on the first Sunday of the last month of each quarter. Please visit the Contacts page on the website for a list of officers.