King George County (Va.) Marriages, 1786-1863

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, King George County, Reel 43.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

King George County (Va.) Marriages, 1786-1863. King George County Reel 43, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

King George County (Va.) Marriages, 1786-1863. King George County Reel 43, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Marriages, 1786-1863, are comprised of three separate sections. The first section, pages 1-69, 1786-1863, is a typescript index. This index contains the first and last names of both parties. It is arranged alphabetically from A-Y and in addition, lists alternate spellings of last names. This index is a resource for the next section of this volume. The second section, pages 1-45, 1786-1863, is a register of marriage licenses issued by the county clerk. The licenses are recorded alphabetically (A-Y) by year and date--only the first and last names of the parties are listed. The third section, pages 46-74, 1786-1850, is comprised of individual marriage certificates and ministers' returns. The marriage certificates record the names of both parties celebrating the rites of matrimony, the date of the marriage, the name of the minister who performed the ceremony and sometimes, the minister's religious denomination. The ministers' returns are made by individual ministers of marriages performed within the county. Sometimes, these returns are in the form of lists which record the names of all parties and the dates of the marriages.

Biographical / historical:

King George County was formed in 1720 from Richmond County. Part of Westmoreland County was added in 1777. The county was named in honor of George I of England.

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.

Until 1780, marriages could be performed only by ministers of the Established Church, who were required by law to record marriages in the parish register. In 1780, dissenting ministers (only four per county from each sect) were first permitted to perform marriage ceremonies. Ministers' returns were required by law beginning in 1780, so all marriages from that date would be of record in the county court clerk's office-- thereby creating an official record. Some ministers adopted a custom of making collected returns--a list of marriages performed within a period of time such as a year or several years.

Created by an act of 1720 to take effect on May 19, in 1721. Most loose records prior to 1830 are missing.Volumes that record deeds, court orders, and wills exist.

Acquisition information:

A microfilm copy of the original volume and a positive photostatic copy (made by the Virginia State Library) were generated by The Genealogical Society of Utah--while filming at the King George County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

The internal index to the volume and the negative photostatic copy of the entire volume were created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original volume found in the King George County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Arrangement:

Chronological.

Physical description:
1 vol. (74 leaves) This volume is a negative photostatic copy.