Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Henry County, Reel 37.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Henry County (Va.) Marriage Register and Index, 1778-1849. Henry County Reel 37, 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 Henry 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 and Archives (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.

The card index was compiled and created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original court records found in the Henry County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. This index may have been used to create the original volume compilations.

Historical Information

Henry County was formed in 1776 from Pittsylvania County. This county was named for Patrick Henry, revolutionary leader and first governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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

Henry County (Va.) Marriage Register, 1778-1849, is essentially divided into two sections. The first section covering pages 1-149, 1778-1849, 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 151-196, 1781-1849, 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, 1778-1849, is a separate volume. This typescript index contains the first and last names of both parties. It is arranged alphabetically from A-Y and in addition, lists alternate spellings of last names.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Related Material

Additional Henry 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 and card index are found at the Library of Virginia's State Records Center.

Access Terms

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

Adjunct Descriptive Data