Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia© 2012 By The Library of Virginia. All Rights Reserved.
Processed by: Library of Virginia staff
There are no restrictions.
There are no restrictions.
Greensville County (Va.) Marriage Records and Vital Statistics Records, 1781-1874 (bulk 1781-1842). Local government records collection, Greensville County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a shipment of court papers from Greensville County.
Greensville County was named for either Revolutionary War general Nathaniel Greene or for Sir Richard Grenville, leader of the Roanoke Island settlement of 1585. The county was formed from Brunswick County in 1780. Part of Brunswick County was added in 1787 and part of Sussex County was added in 1802.
Greensville County (Va.) Marriage Records and Vital Statistics Records, 1781-1874 (bulk 1781-1842) contains records marriage bonds 1781-1842; marriage certificates 1854-1859 and consents 1781-1840 circa. Also included are printed Birth Register pages that have the entries for births in the year 1874.
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.
Birth registers contain headings for: date and place of birth; name of child (if named); color (if "colored," whether slave or free); sex; whether born alive or dead; name of father or owner; father's occupation; father's residence (county or locality in the county); mother's name; how many infants at this birth (whether this was a multiple birth); deformities or any circumstances of interest; name of the person giving the information; and the relation of the informant to the person born.
Additional Greensville County Court can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm"
These records consist of Marriage Certificates and Consents, 1854-1859 and Minister's Returns, 1781-1840 circa.
Barcode Number 1047213 contains Marriage Bonds, 1781-1801. Barcode Number 1047212 contains Marriage Bond, 1802-1822. Barcode Number 1047211 contains Marriage Bonds, 1823-1842.
This record is printed Birth Register pages with written entries for births in the year 1874.