Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Botetourt County (Va.) Roll of Registered Voters, 1902-1947. Local government records collection, Botetourt County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

These items came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Botetourt County.

Historical Information

Botetourt County was named for Norborne Berkeley, baron de Botetourt, the royal governor of Virginia from 1768 to 1770. It was formed from Augusta County in 1769, and part of Rockbridge County was added in 1785.

The 1902 voter registration books were created following the passage of the 1902 Virginia state constitution. The purpose of the 1902 state constitution was to maintain white suffrage while eliminating African-American voters by means of literacy tests as well as property and poll tax requirements.

Scope and Content

Botetourt County Roll of Registered Voters, 1902-1947, records the roll of registered voters in Botetourt County. The volume is divided by precincts: Rocky Branch, Vandegrift's Shop, Court House, and Town Hall; and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volumes includes date of registration; number of registered voter; name of registered voter; date of birth; age; occupation; residence; length of residence in state, county, and precinct; whether exempt from poll tax; if naturalized, and if so, date of papers and by what court issued; if transferred from another precinct, and if so, when and to what precinct.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Botetourt County (Va.) Circuit Court

Subjects:

• African Americans--History--1877-1964
• African Americans--Suffrage
• African Americans--Virginia--Botetourt County
• Suffrage--Virginia--Botetourt County

Geographical Names:

• Botetourt County (Va.)--Genealogy
• Botetourt County (Va.)--History--20th century

Genre and Form Terms:

• Election records--Virginia--Botetourt County
• Local government records--Virginia--Botetourt County
• Voters' lists--Virginia--Botetourt County