Lynchburg (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1805-1853

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

Use microfilm copy, City of Lynchburg, Reel 33.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Lynchburg (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1805-1853. City of Lynchburg Reel 33, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Lynchburg (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1805-1853. City of Lynchburg Reel 33, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Marriage Register, 1805-1853, is essentially divided into two sections. The first section covering pages 1-165, 1805-1853, records the date of the marriage bond, the names of both parties, the names of the parents or guardians present and the names of the security or witnesses in attendance. In addition, two marriages of free persons of color are noted on page 136--both dating from 1850. The second section covering pages 167-168, 1832-1845, records the dates of the ordination bonds, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister.

An Index to Marriage Register, 1805-1853, is a separate volume. It is a copy of a typewritten manuscript and contains the first and last names of both parties. It is arranged alphabetically from A-Z and in addition, lists alternate spellings of last names.

Biographical / historical:

The City of Lynchburg was established in 1786. It was incorporated first as a town in 1805 and then as a city in 1852. Parts of Campbell and Bedford counties were annexed to the city in 1976. Located in Campbell County, the city was named for John Lynch, the owner of the original town site.

Prior to 1853, when the Commonwealth began recording vital statistics, Virginia marriages were recorded at the county or city level. Beginning in 1661, in order to be married by license, the groom was required to go before the county clerk and give bond with security that there was no lawful reason to prevent the marriage. The license, issued then by the clerk, was given to the minister who performed the service. Written consent from a parent or guardian was needed for individuals younger than twenty-one years.

Acquisition information:

The original volumes were compiled by the Virginia State Library`s (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original court records found in the City of Lynchburg's Circuit Court Clerk`s Office. The microfilm copy of these volumes was generated by The Genealogical Society of Utah--while filming on-site at the Library of Virginia.

The negative photostatic copy and photocopy were created by the Virginia State Library`s (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original compilations.

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Physical description:
4 vol.(494 p.) Barcode 1146668 is a negative photostatic copy. Barcode 1146667 is a typed photocopy and Barcodes 1097048-1097049 are original compilations.