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Library of Virginia
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Use microfilm copies, Orange County, Reels 48-56.
There are no restrictions.
Orange County (Va.) Marriage Bonds, Ministers' Returns and Index, Volumes 1-16, 1775-1854. Orange County Reels 48-56, Local Government Records Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
The original volume was compiled and created by The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) from the original court records found in the Orange County Circuit Court Clerk's Office. The original index was compiled by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the DAR-created volumes--now found in the Orange County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
The negative photostatic copies of the volumes were created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original DAR-created volumes. The typescript photocopy of the index was created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division from the original compilation. The microfilm copies of these volumes were generated by The Library of Virginia's Imaging Services Branch.
Orange County was formed in 1734 from Spotsylvania County. According to most accounts, the county was named for William of Orange, the Dutch prince who became William III of England in 1688. It is more probable, however, that the name honored William IV, prince of Orange-Nassau, who married Anne, eldest daughter of George II, in 1734.
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.
Marriage Bonds and Ministers' Returns, Volumes 1-16, 1775-1854, record the original bonds of marriage between a bride and groom within the county. This volume also contains original marriage consents and ministers' returns--made by individual ministers of marriages performed within the county. These returns took the form of lists which record the date of marriage and names of both parties. In Volume 16,1848-1854, marriage certificates and licenses are included.
An Index to Marriage Bonds, 1775-1854, is a separate volume--covering Orange County Marriage Bond Books 1-16. It is arranged alphabetically from A-Y by the last and first names of both parties. At the top of each page, the parties are listed in one or all of the three main categories (marriage consents, marriage bonds and ministers' returns.) The volume and page number follow these references. As the index indicates, "li" means no marriage bond but indicates that a marriage license has been recorded. The index also contains alternate spellings and/or variations of last names. Unlike the volumes, this index is not available on microfilm.
Chronological.
Additional Orange County Marriage Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."
Volumes 5-16 and the original compiled index to the volumes are found at the Library of Virginia's State Records Center.