Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

The original volume was returned to Montgomery County (Va.) Circuit Court at the request of the clerk's office on 31 July 2015.

Use Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Montgomery County (Va.) Reel 52.

Preferred Citation

Montgomery County (Va.) Marriage Register, 1850-1861. Montgomery County (Va.) Reel 52, Local government records collection, Montgomery County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

Microfilm Reel 52 was generated in-house by the staff of the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Microfilm Section.

Historical Information

Montgomery County was formed from Fincastle County in 1776, and the county court first met on 7 January 1777. Part of Botetourt County was added in 1790. Part of Pulaski County was added in 1842. The county was named for Richard Montgomery, who was killed in the American assault on Quebec late in 1775.

Fincastle County was created from Botetourt County in 1772, and the county court first met on 5 January 1773. Fincastle County became extinct on 31 December 1776 when it was divided to form Montgomery, Washington and Kentucky Counties. The county was named probably for George, Viscount Fincastle, Lord Dunmore's son; for John Murray, fourth earl of Dunmore, Viscount Fincastle; or for the town of Fincastle, Virginia, which was established in 1772 and named for George, Viscount Fincastle.

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. Once the marriage service was performed, the minister submitted a return to the county clerk. Written consent from a parent or guardian was needed for individuals younger than twenty-one years.

The original marriage licenses and business records, from which this volume was compiled, were created by the County Court.

Scope and Content

Montgomery County (Va.) Marriage Register, 1850-1861, is one part of a compilation volume containing two different record types. The other portion of the original volume containing business records was not microfilmed. The marriage register lists marriage licenses issued by the county court clerk. For the most part, this section follows a chronological arrangement. The listings indicate the day, month and year when the license was issued as well as the full names of both parties.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Related Material

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

Adjunct Descriptive Data