Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

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.

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.)

Historical Information

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. Deed Book 10 (1835–1838) is missing and 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.

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.

Related Material

Additional Surry 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 at www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/local/local_rec/index.html.

Surry County is one of Virginia's Lost Records Localities. Additional Surry County Records may be found in the Virginia Lost Records Localities Collection at the Library of Virginia. Search the Lost Records Localities Digital Collection available at Virginia Memory.

Separated Material

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

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Surry County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Christian sects--Virginia--Surry County.
• Clergy--Virginia--Surry County.
• Free African Americans--Marriage--Virginia--Surry County.
• Free African Americans--Virginia--Surry County.
• Marriage--Virginia--Surry County.

Geographical Names:

• Surry County (Va.)--History.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Indexes (reference sources)--Virginia--Surry County.
• Local government records--Virginia--Surry County.
• Marriage records--Virginia--Surry County.
• Marriage registers--Virginia--Surry County.

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• Surry County (Va.) County Court.

Adjunct Descriptive Data