This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you
should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me
and I will update the file.
 
Bill Green         bgreen@milo.nodak.edu     bill90@Delphi.Com
 
Date of last update: 4 November 1993
 
**************************************************************************
 
      GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF VIRGINIA
                      5 March 1989
                      Robert McLaren
                    7810 Kincardine Ct.
                 Alexandria, VA 22310-4025
 
The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical
societies in Virginia.  Included in the listing, where known, are telephone
numbers and yearly dues.  This listing is donated to the public domain and
may be freely  copied.  Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used
in any other commercial fashion.  If you think this list has any value, then
donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National
Genealogical Society).
 
If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember
to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE).  Many of these societies
work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to
respond unless a SASE is included in your letter.
 
     Virginia Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 7469
     Richmond, VA 23221
       Dues:  $18.00 per year (single); $20.00 per year (family)
 
     Virginia Historical Society
     428 North Boulevard
     P.O. Box 7311
     Richmond, VA 23221
     (804) 358-4901
       Dues:  $25.00 per year (single); $35.00 per year (family)
 
     Central Virginia Genealogical Association
     P.O. Box 39
     Crozet, VA 22932
       Dues:
 
     South West Virginia Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 12485
     Roanoke, VA 24026
       Dues:
 
     Huguenot Society Founders of Manakin in the Colony of VA
     c/o The Librarian
     Mrs. P. Tulane Atkinson
     Hampden Sydney, VA 23943
       Dues:
 
Albermarle County
 
     Albemarle County Historical Society
     220 Court Square
     Charlottesville, VA 22901
       Dues:
 
Augusta County
 
     Augusta County Historical Society
     P.O. Box 686
     Staunton, VA 24401
       Dues:
 
Bath County
 
     Bath County Historical Society
     P.O. Box 212
     Warm Springs, VA 24484
       Dues:
 
Chesterfield County
 
     Chesterfield Historical Society
     P.O. Box 40
     Chesterfield, VA 23832
       Dues:
 
Clark County
 
     Clark County Historical Association
     Berryville, VA 22611
       Dues:
 
Cumberland County
 
     Cumberland County Historical Society
     Box 88
     Cumberland, VA 23040
       Dues:
 
Fairfax County
 
     Fairfax Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 2344
     Merrifield, VA 22116-2344
       Dues:  $10.00 per year (single); $15.00 per year (family)
 
     Historical Society of Fairfax County
     P.O. Box 415
     Fairfax, VA 22030
     (703) 246-2123
       Dues:  $10.00 per year (single); $15.00 per year (family)
 
     Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Washington
     P.O. Box 412
     Vienna, VA 22180
       Dues:
 
Frederick County
 
     The Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society
     c/o Handley Library
     Corner Braddock and Piccadilly Streets
     P.O. Box 97
     Winchester, VA 22601
       Dues:
 
Grayson County
 
     Grayson County Historical Society, Inc.
     Rt. 1, Box 293
     Elk Creek, VA 24326
       Dues:  $5.00 per year
 
Greene County
 
     Greene County Historical Society
     P.O. Box 185
     Stanardsville, VA 22973
       Dues:
 
Hanover County
 
     The Hanover County Historical Society
     P.O. Box 91
     Hanover, VA 23069
       Dues:
 
Henry County
 
     Henry County Historical Society
     Bassett, VA 24055
       Dues:
 
King and Queen County
 
     King and Queen Historical Society
     Newtown, VA 23126
       Dues:
 
Mathews County
 
     Mathews County Historical Society, Inc.
     P.O. Box 855
     Mathews, VA 23109
       Dues:
 
Montgomery County
 
     New River Historical Society
     Box 711
     Radford, VA 24141
       Dues:
 
Norfolk County
 
     Norfolk Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 12813
     Thomas Corner
     Norfolk, VA 23502
       Dues:  $7.50 per year
 
     Norfolk County Historical Society
     c/o Chesapeake Public Library
     300 Cedar Road
     Chesapeake, VA 23320
       Dues:
 
Nottoway County
 
     Nottoway County Historical Association
     RDF #1 Box 56
     Crewe, VA 23930
       Dues:
 
Orange County
 
     Orange County Historical Society
     P.O. Box 591
     Orange, VA 22960
       Dues:
 
Pittsylvania County
 
     Pittsylvania Historical Society
     P.O. Box 374
     Chatham, VA 24531
       Dues:
 
     Va-NC Piedmont Genealogical Society
     Box 2272
     Danville, VA 24541
       Dues:
 
Prince William County
 
     Prince William County Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 2019
     Manassas, VA 22110-0812
       Dues:  $10.00 per year (single); $12.00 per year (family)
 
Roanoke County
 
     Roanoke Valley Historical Society
     P.O. Box 1904
     Roanoke, VA 24008
       Dues:
 
     Salem Historical Society
     Box 201
     Salem, VA 24153
       Dues:
 
Rockbridge County
 
     Rockbridge County Historical Society
     c/o Mrs. Winifred Hadsel
     106 White Street
     Lexington, VA 24450
       Dues:
 
Rockingham County
 
     Rockingham County Historical Society
     301 South Main Street
     Harrisonburg, VA 22801
       Dues:
 
Shenandoah County
 
     Shenandoah County Historical Society
     c/o The Shenandoah County Library
     Rt. 1, Box 1-B
     Edinburg, VA 22824
       Dues:
 
Smyth County
 
     Smyth County Historical Society
     P.O. Box 574
     Marion, VA 24354
       Dues:
 
Washington County
 
     Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia
     Box 484
     Abingdon, VA 24210
       Dues:
 
     Holston Territory Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 433
     Bristol, VA 24203
       Dues:
 
Westmoreland County
 
     Northern Neck Historical Society
     Westmoreland County
     Montross, VA 22520
       Dues:
 
**************************************************************************
 
                       VITAL RECORDS
 
Records of Births and Deaths
 
Births were not 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 Virginia State Library. The state library has indexes of
the birth records to 1896 but does not have indexes of death records.
 
Registration of births and deaths was not required between 1896 and June 14,
1912 but the health departments of some cities kept birth and death records
during that period. Delayed birth registrations for the years 1896 to 1912
may be available at the Division of Vital Records and Health Services (see
address below).
 
Statewide registration of vital statistics began in 1912. The Division of
Vital Records and Health Services has the records from 1912 to the present.
 
        Division of Vital Records and Health Services
        P.O. Box 1000
        Richmond, VA 23208-1000
 
Marriage Records
 
Few marriage records prior to 1730 have survived. Those that exist may be
found in various places.
 
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, and the age of the minor. The county clerk then gave the couple a
license to be given to the minister who would perform the ceremony.
 
        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.
 
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. 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
(beginning in 1858, a standard form was used):
 
        Full names of the bride and groom
        Ages
        Places of birth and residence
        Proposed marriage date and place
        If widowed or single
        Parents' names
        Groom's occupation
        Minister's name
 
After the certificate was completed the clerk issued a license. When the
marriage was performed, the minister "returned" the information to the clerk
who recorded it in the county or city marriage records or registers. For many
counties the certificates no longer exist, but the county marriage record
books generally provide the marriage information and the parents' names.
 
Copies of Marriage Records. Copies of Virginia marriage records are available
at several places. You can contact:
 
        The Division of Vital Records and Health Services (see address above)
for copies of marriage information reported by the counties since January
1853.
 
        The clerk of the court of the county or independent city for copies
of the certificates, licenses, and registers kept by the county.
 
        The Virginia State Library for copies of extant county marriage
records and indexes from 1853 to 1935, microfilmed marriage bonds, and
published marriage records for many counties. Vogt's book (see below)
describes the holdings of the Virginia State Library.
 
Divorce Records
 
Divorce records are usually kept by the county court. The records for 1853 to
the present can be obtained from the Division of Vital Records and Health
Services (see address above).
                                   (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
>Buckingham County, Virginia only has its records from 1868 up to  present
>day.  It seems that the courthouse was burned in 1868, destroying all
>records prior to that year.  It is said that a carpetbagger (from the north,
>of course) past through and started the fire, but no one really knows for
>sure.  People may have wanted to spread this story because of the war a few
>years earlier.
>                                                  kcrater@ncps.vak12ed.edu
 
**************************************************************************
 
                       STATE ARCHIVES
 
        Virginia State Library
        11th Street at Capitol Square
        Richmond, VA 23219-3491
 
        The research collections of the Virginia State Library are divided
between the Research Library and the Archival and Records Collections. The
Research Library contains printed materials, while the Archival and Records
Collections consists of government records and other historical documents.
 
        Virginia Genealogical Society
        P.O. Box 7469
        Richmond, VA 23221
 
        Virginia Historical Society
        The Boulevard at Kensington Avenue
        P.O. Box 7311
        Richmond, VA 23221
 
        University of Virginia
        Alderman Library
        Charlottesville, VA 22903
 
        College of William and Mary
        Earl Gregg Swem Library
        Williamsburg, VA 23185
 
        Handley Library
        P.O. Box 58
        Winchester, VA 22601
 
        Jones Memorial Library
        434 Rivermont Avenue
        Lynchburg, VA 24504
                                   (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
From: JACK DOLBY
 
At the recent luncheon of the Tidewater Genealogical Society (TGS), Conley L.
Edwards III of the Virginia State Library and Archives described the general
classes of information available there.
 
Of course most of the information available concerns VA, but there is also
information on what is now West Virginia, on areas that are now claimed by
other states, and some inforamtion on other original colonies and eastern
shore states.
 
They support in-person consultation, simple mail-in querries, and
consultation with organizations on conservation and preservation activities.
 
The overall thrust of the presentation is that VaArc wants to HELP
genealogists and hisitorians!  Compare this with comments you might have seen
on the Fido echoes concerning other state archives.
 
The Archives are located at:
     Virginia State Library and Archives
     11th Street at Capitol Square
     Richmond, VA 23219-3491
 
Send a legal sase and request a free copy of "Genealogical Research at the
Virginia State Library and Archives."
 
You might also want to ask for a copy of Research note #2, "Using Vital
Statistics in the Archives."
 
The general classes of information available from VaArc are (VA unless
otherwise stated):
 
1.  Census 1810-1880, 1900-1910.  Indexes for all censuses.  1870 IS indexed.
My notes do not mention 1800.  (1790 census has, of course, been
re-constructed from tax lists, etc, and is avaialable on the Peninsula.)
They do have the 1920 on order for when it is released.
 
Census for other states, mostly original colonies, neighboring states, and
east coast are avaialable with a varying level of completeness.  Some indexes
are available.
 
2.  County Court records up to 1865.  A long term project has resulted in the
microfilming of other court records, but this project is far from complete.
The pre-1865 records are listed in a microfilm index available at Grissom
Library (and obstensibly available on InterLibraryLoan (ILL)).  I have a
request outstanding and will let you know if I can ACTUALLY get them.  Per
Hershel Kreis, a printed listing of this microfilm index is available at
Willimasburg Public Library.  The post-1865 records do not circulate at this
time.  Note that the coverage of these records is inversely proportional to
the number of Yankees present in these counties during the Great
Unpleasantness.
 
**************************************************************************
 
                NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS
 
From: david@frodo.wes.army.mil (David Sanders)
 
   Column Name: Climbing The Family Tree
      Newspaper(s): unknown
      Address: Joanne L. Nance
               c/o NW Lapin Press
               P.O. Box 5053
               Charlottesville, VA  22905-5053
      Notes: Coverage area unknown.
 
   Column Name: Family History
      Newspaper(s): Daily Press
      Address: Virginia Rollings
               c/o Daily Press
               7505 Warwick Blvd.
               MP 1203
               Newport News, VA  23607
      Notes: Published first Saturday.  Coverage area unknown.
 
Russell County, VA:
 
  From Frieda Davison:
 
  I write a local history column for my hometown newspaper.  While it is
  not specifically genealogy query style, when I receive requests I answer
  them in the column and give the name and address of the person who wrote
  to me so that other researchers or family members may contact them if
  they desire.
 
  The column is: "Russell County Ramblings"
  The newspaper is:  HONAKER TIMES, P. O. Box 310, Honaker, VA  24260
  It is faster, however, for people to write to me directly:
      Frieda Davison
      905 Sixth Ave., South   (address effective after 1 July 1993)
      Apt. 2
      Columbus, MS  39701
--
****************************************************************************
*   Bill Green       Minot, North Dakota  58701  *       Home of the       *
*            bgreen@milo.NoDak.Edu               *      NORSK H0STFEST     *
*              Bill90@Delphi.Com                 *        Velkommen!       *
****************************************************************************
 
