Louisa County (Va.) Marriage Registers and Index, 1766-1861

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 copies, Louisa County, Reels 41 and 42.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Louisa County (Va.) Marriage Registers and Index, 1766-1861. Louisa County Reels 41 and 42, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Louisa County (Va.) Marriage Registers and Index, 1766-1861. Louisa County Reels 41 and 42, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Marriage Register, 1766-1861, is divided into two separate volumes. The first volume covering pages 1-259, 1766-1834, 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. The second volume covering pages 260-520, 1834-1861, essentially records the same information found in the first volume. Pages 359-486 of this volume, however, detail a separate section. Recorded on these pages are the date of the marriage, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister.

An Index to Marriage Register, 1766-1861, is also a separate volume. It 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:

Louisa County was formed from Hanover County in 1742. The county was named for Louisa, a daughter of George II.

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 Louisa County 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.
Arrangement:

Chronological.

Physical description:
3 v.