Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Brunswick County, Reel 51.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Brunswick County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1751-1853. Brunswick County Reel 51, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

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 Brunswick County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. A microfilm copy of these volumes was generated by The Library of Virginia's Imaging Services Branch.

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

Historical Information

Brunswick County was formed in 1720 from Prince George County. Parts of Isle of Wight and Surry counties were added in 1732 (when the county's government was established.) The county was named for the duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg, one of the German possessions of George I.

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 1720 (county government established in June 1732). Most loose records prior to 1781 are missing.Pre-1781 volumes that record deeds, court orders, and wills exist.

Scope and Content

Marriage Register, 1751-1853, is essentially divided into two sections. The first section covering pages 1-344, 1751-1849, 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 section covering pages 345-438, 1782-1853, records the date of the marriage, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister. In addition, pages 437-438 include the ages of both parties, the husband's profession and where the marriage was performed. Page 439 includes a list of undated ministers' returns and one undated minister's ordination bond.

An Index to Marriage Register, 1751-1853, is a separate volume. This index 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.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Related Material

Additional Brunswick County Marriage Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm found on the Library of Virginia web site.

Brunswick County is one of Virginia's Lost Records Localities. Additional Brunswick County Court Records may be found in the Virginia Lost Records Localities Collection at the Library of Virginia. Search the Lost Records Localities Database found at the Library of Virginia web site.

Separated Material

The original compilations and additional negative photostatic copies (1102888-1102889) are found at the Library of Virginia's State Records Center.

Access Terms

• Brunswick County (Va.)--History.
• Brunswick County (Va.). Circuit Court.
• Christian sects--Virginia--Brunswick County.
• Clergy--Virginia--Brunswick County.
• Indexes (reference sources)--Virginia--Brunswick County.
• Local government records--Virginia--Brunswick County.
• Marriage records--Virginia--Brunswick County.
• Marriage registers--Virginia--Brunswick County.
• Marriage--Virginia--Brunswick County.

Adjunct Descriptive Data