Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Bedford County (Va.) Roll of Voters, 1902-1960. Local government records collection, Bedford County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va. 23219.

Acquisition Information

This item came to the Library of Virginia in shipments of court papers from Bedford County.

Historical Information

Bedford County was probably named for John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford, who, as secretary for state for the southern department from 1748 to 1751, had general supervision of colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753. Parts of Albemarle County were added in 1754, and an additional part of Lunenburg County was added later.

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

Bedford County (Va.) Roll of Voters, 1902-1960, records the roll of registered voters in Bedford County. The volume is divided by precincts and within each precinct on the basis of color. Information found in the volume 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:

• Bedford County (Va.) Circuit Court

Subjects:

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

Geographical Names:

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

Genre and Form Terms:

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