Collections

Newport News, City of/Warwick County (Va.) Business Records, 1881-1951, is comprised of various records created by individuals and companies in pursuit of documenting business activities in and around Newport News (Va.). Represented records largely consists of bound volumes such as ledgers, stock books, minute books, sales books, deed books, and contract books.

Newport News Marriage Licenses, 1900-1912 include the following information: name of husband, name of wife, date license recorded in circuit court, date of marriage, place of marriage, full names of husband and wife, race, ages of husband and wife, condition of groom and bride at time of marriage (single, widowed, or divorced), place of birth (husband and wife), place of residence (husband and wife), names of parents (husband and wife), and occupation of husband. The marriage licenses also include marriage certificates signed by ministers who officiated the marriage. Information found in certificates includes name of minister, name of religious denomination, date certificate returned to courthouse, and signature of minister. The back of the license includes the page number and line number the marriage was recorded in the marriage register.

Newport News (Va) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1879-1944, are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious manner, or died without medical attendance filed in the courts of Warwick County and Newport News. Causes of death found in coroners' inquisitions include murder, infanticide, suicide, domestic violence, exposure to elements, drownings, train accidents, automobile accidents, and natural causes, or as commonly referred to in the 19th century, visitation by God. Documents commonly found in coroners' inquests include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Criminal papers such as recognizance bonds can be found in coroner inquisitions. Information found in the inquisition include the name of the coroner, the names of the jurors, the name and age of the deceased if known, gender and race of the deceased, and when, how, and by what means the deceased came to his or her death. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent and his or her account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased.

Newport News (Va.) Deeds, 1857-1957 (bulk 1883-1957) consist of deeds of bargain and sale, deeds of gift, mortgages, and deeds of trust recorded in Warwick County and Newport News. On presentation to the court, deeds were proved and recorded. If the deed was not witnessed, the grantor acknowledged the deed in open court. A few of the deeds include plats.

Newport News (Va.) Unidentified Police Notebook, 1917-1918, contains daily notes written by an unknown policeman in the course of his duty. The officer recorded by date and by time of occurrence such things as telephone calls received; crimes reported along with details such as the reporter's name, witness names, address of the crime and other details; descriptions of fugitives or lost children for whom to be on the lookout; results of searches performed for a person of interest to the police; automobile accidents; whether other policemen reported for duty that day and reasons why they did not; and other citizen complaints about street blockages, gutter and pipe malfunctions, and in one instance, a stray mule. In many cases there are also notes about the resolution of the investigation or problem.

Newport News (Va.) Voters' Register, 1902-1903, records the roll of registered voters in Newport News. The volumes are divided by wards, first through seventh, and within each ward on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes 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.

Warwick County (Va.) Birth and Death Records, 1912-1916, consist of birth and death registers.

Warwick County (Va.) Court Orders, 1688 Sep-Nov. This record appears to be a part of or a copy of an order book. Order books record all matters brought before the court when it was in session. They provide synopses of cases in a neater, more organized form. These orders pertain mostly to judgments and estate settlements.

Warwick County (Va.) Marriage Licenses, 1893, 1902-1912, include the following information: name of husband, name of wife, date license recorded in circuit court, date of marriage, place of marriage, full names of husband and wife, race, ages of husband and wife, condition of groom and bride at time of marriage (single, widowed, or divorced), place of birth (husband and wife), place of residence (husband and wife), names of parents (husband and wife), and occupation of husband. The marriage licenses also include marriage certificates signed by ministers who officiated the marriage. Information found in certificates includes name of minister, name of religious denomination, date certificate returned to courthouse, and signature of minister. The back of the license includes the page number and line number the marriage was recorded in the marriage register. The collection also includes a small number of unrecorded marriage licenses.