Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Rockingham County (Va.) Coroners' reports and inquests, 1915-1936. Local government records collection, Rockingham County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Acquisition Information

These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Rockingham County under the accession number 45089.

Historical Information

Rockingham County was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth, a second marquis of Rockingham, who supported the colonists in their disputes with Great Britain. It was formed from Augusta County in 1778.

The separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office is to hold inquisitions in cases when persons meet violent or unnatural deaths, to establish the cause of death, to deliver the guilty person to the sheriff, and to act as administrator of the deceased's estate. The coroner also performs the sheriff's duties when there is a vacancy in that office. The office of coroner is appointive.

Scope and Content

Rockingham County (Va.) Coroners' reports and inquests, 1915-1936, are the records of the county coroner's investigation into questionable deaths, for example in the case of violence or of an unknown person. The inquests and reports often contain testimony from witnesses or persons who may have information regarding the death or the deceased. The verdict of the coroner and the jury is included.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Rockingham County (Va.). Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Coroners -- Virginia -- Rockingham County.
• Public records -- Virginia -- Rockingham County.

Geographical Names:

• Rockingham County (Va.) -- History -- 20th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Death records -- Virginia -- Rockingham County.
• Local government records -- Virginia -- Rockingham County.
• Reports -- Virginia -- Rockingham County.