Just about everyone who descends from a Southern family can claim Virginia roots. The English Colony that began with Jamestown in 1607 is now a flourishing Commonwealth approaching its 400th birthday. As a salute to your Virginia heritage, who not plan a research trip to Virginia?
One would expect to center a research vacation in the location from whence one’s families came. But in many family groups this would require numerous stops in various counties throughout the Commonwealth. For those of us not retired or wealthy, such an extensive trip might be a logistical problem. The answer to our quandary lies in choosing, as one’s only stop, our capitol city of Richmond.
Richmond is home to the well stocked Library of Virginia, which holds the Commonwealth Archives in addition to the State Library. A portion of the building houses open microfilm stacks containing reel copies of original county record books. In addition one can find on microfilm military, church, newspaper, tax, and other records of genealogical interest. Original documents can be requested and viewed in secure search rooms. Experienced librarians/historians are available to assist with answers and advice.
Absolute gems for genealogists are the Bible Record and Genealogical Notes files, which have been contributed throughout the years by families who wish to assure their availability for future generations. Digitization of the Bible Records have made many of these family treasures available for viewing and printing on the internet. Indexing projects, such as Death Record and Will indexes, provide not only documentation but also a method of quickly locating records when one arrives at the library. Numerous indexes are available for search at: http://www.lva.lib.va.us/
An extensive research library is housed in another section of the building. The library is well stocked with not just Virginia transcribed records, but also transcription books from other sections of the country. The lobby gift shop allows one to carry treasures home, offering many genealogical volumes such as transcriptions of extant Virginia Parish Registers.
Are you looking for one location where you can research all Virginia’s counties? The answer is NOT the internet. It’s Richmond! Choose the Library of Virginia. It’s a great “one stop” genealogical supermarket.