Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Goochland County, Reel 38.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Goochland County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1730-1853. Goochland County Reel 38, 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 Goochland County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The 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

Goochland County was formed in 1728 from Henrico County. It was named for Sir William Gooch, lieutenant governor of Virginia from 1727 to 1749.

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.

Scope and Content

Marriage Register, 1730-1853, is essentially divided into two sections. The first section covering pages 1-312, 1730-1819, 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 313-392, 1787-1853, records the date of the marriage, the names of both parties, the minister's name and the religious denomination of the minister.

An Index to Marriage Register, 1730-1853, is a separate volume. This typed index contains the first and last names of both parties. It is arranged alphabetically from A-Y and in addition, lists alternate spellings of both first and last names.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Related Material

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

Separated Material

The original compilations are found at the Library of Virginia's State Records Center.

Access Terms

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

Adjunct Descriptive Data