Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Use microfilm copy, Augusta County (Va.) Reel 98.

Preferred Citation

Augusta County (Va.) Marriage Register, 1813-1846. Augusta County (Va.) Reel 98, Local government records collection, Augusta County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.

Acquisition Information

This negative photostatic volume was created by the Virginia State Library's (now the Library of Virginia) Archives Division, under the accession number 24379, from the original volume found in the Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

The microfilm copy of this volume was generated by the Genealogical Society of Utah while filming in the Augusta County Circuit Court Clerk's Office.

Historical Information

Augusta County was formed from Orange County by a statute of 1738 that stipulated that when the population was large enough the new county government would begin to function. The county court first met on 9 December 1745. The county was named for Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, who married Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, and was the mother of King George III.

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 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 by publication of banns was a public notice of an intended marriage that had to be published, verbally or by written notice, for three consective meetings at the churches of the bride and groom. This notice allowed the community to object to the union. Prior to 1848, banns were a legal substitute for a marriage license.

The original marriage records, from which this volume was compiled, were created by the County Court.

Scope and Content

Augusta County (Va.) Marriage Register, 1813-1846, is a list of marriages celebrated in the county and certified by the county clerk. The register consists of the names of both parties, by whom married, the authority (license or publication) and the date when married. There are references, found on pages 18-a (1824) and 66 (1846), to marriages between "free persons of color." Due to the photostatic process, marriages between 1828-1833 are difficult to read.

Related Material

Additional Augusta County Marriage Records can be found on microfilm at the Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm" found on the Library of Virginia web site.

Index Terms

Corporate Names:

• Augusta County (Va.) Circuit Court.

Subjects:

• Clergy--Virginia--Augusta County.
• Free African Americans--Marriage--Virginia--Augusta County.
• Free African Americans--Virginia--Augusta County.
• Marriage--Virginia--Augusta County.

Geographical Names:

• Augusta County (Va.)--History--19th century.

Genre and Form Terms:

• Local government records--Virginia--Augusta County.
• Marriage records--Virginia--Augusta County.
• Marriage registers--Virginia--Augusta County.

Added Entry - Corporate Name:

• Augusta County (Va.) County Court.

Adjunct Descriptive Data