Norfolk (Va.) Permanent Registration Roll, 1902-1903

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

Summary

Creator:
Norfolk (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Norfolk (Va.) Permanent Registration Roll, 1902-1903, records the roll of registered voters in Norfolk. The volume is divided by precincts, and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volume includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.

Biographical / historical:

Norfolk was located in Norfolk County, which is now extinct. The city took the name from the former home of an early settler, Adam Thoroughgood, who was a native of the county of Norfolk in England. Norfolk was established in 1680 by an act of assembly. It was incorporated as a town in 1736 and as a city in 1845. Norfolk was enlarged in 1906 by annexation of the town of Berkeley.

The 1902 voter registration books were created following the passage of the 1902 Virginia state constitution. The purpose of the 1902 state constitution was to maintain white suffrage while eliminating African-American voters by means of literacy tests as well as property and poll tax requirements.

Acquisition information:
This item came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Norfolk.
Arrangement:

Arranged chronological by year and then alphabetical by surname.

Physical location:
State Records Center - Archives Annex, Library of Virginia
Physical description:
2 v.