Surry County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1768-1853

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:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

Use microfilm copy, Surry County (Va.) Reel 45.

Preferred citation:

Surry County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1768-1853. Surry County (Va.) Reel 45, Local government records collection, Surry County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Summary

Creator:
Surry County (Va.) Circuit Court.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Surry County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1768-1853. Surry County (Va.) Reel 45, Local government records collection, Surry County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Background

Scope and content:

Surry County (Va.) Marriage Register, 1768-1853, is essentially divided into two sections. The first section covering pages 1-206, 1768-1850, records the date of the marriage bond, the names of both parties, the names of the parents or guardians and the security or witnesses present. From 1809-1850, pages 80-206, there are eleven entries for marriages between "free persons of color." The second section covering pages 207-268, 1785-1853, records the date of the marriage, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister. In additon, pages 269-277 (1850-1853) record the same information found in the first section. Beginning in 1852, however, the date of the marriage license (instead of marriage bond) is recorded. Page 278 lists three undated marriage bonds. Pages 279-281 (1853) record more extensive information--the date of the marriage, personal statistics on the bride and groom, the name of the minister and the location of the marriage ceremony. Like the first section, there are numerous entries recorded (48 total) for marriages between "free persons of color"--from 1804-1853 (pages 218-279.)

Index to Marriage Register, 1768-1853, is a separate volume. This typescript index is arranged alphabetically from A-Y according to the last and first names of both parties. Alternate spellings of last names are noted with a see also. This volume also lists alternate names of individuals (aliases) in parentheses.

Biographical / historical:

Surry County was formed from James City County about 1652. Surry County was named for the county of Surrey in 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.

Created in 1652. Order books for 1718–1741 and various other early volumes are fragmentary. Most loose records prior to 1806 are missing. Courthouse fires in 1906 and 1922 did not result in loss of records, however, because at that time records were housed in a separate clerk’s office.

Acquisition information:

The original volumes were compiled by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original county court records found in the Surry 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 Virginia State Library (now the Library of Virginia.)

The negative photostatic copies were created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original compilations (abstracts.)

Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
4 vol. (562 p. and 228 leaves) Barcodes 1127613 and 1127617 are original compilations (abstracts). Barcodes 1146919-1146920 are negative photostatic copies.