Essex County, Virginia
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| + | ''[[United States|United States ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Virginia|Virginia ]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Essex_County,_Virginia|Essex County]]'' | ||
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| + | <br>'''Essex County, Virginia''' genealogy and family history research page. Guide to '''Essex County''' (established 1692) genealogy, history, and courthouse sources including birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, wills, deeds and land records, Civil War records, Revolutionary War records, family histories, cemeteries, churches, tax records, newspapers, and obituaries. | ||
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{{Infobox U.S. County | {{Infobox U.S. County | ||
| county = Essex County | | county = Essex County | ||
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| founded date = | | founded date = | ||
| seat wl = Tappahannock | | seat wl = Tappahannock | ||
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== County Courthouse == | == County Courthouse == | ||
| − | [[ | + | {| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" |
| + | |- | ||
| + | | width="100%" bgcolor="#ffcc99" align="center" colspan="6" | <center>'''Beginning Dates for {{PAGENAME}} Government Records'''</center> | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Birth]]''' | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Marriage]]''' | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Vital_Records|Death]]''' | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Census|Census]]''' | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Land_and_Property|Land]]''' | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | '''[[{{PAGENAME}}#Probate_Records|Probate]]''' | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | 1856 | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | 1804 | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | 1856 | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | 1810 | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | 1656 | ||
| + | | width="16.6%" align="center" | 1656 | ||
| + | |} | ||
| − | + | [[Image:{{VAEssexcourthouse}}]] | |
| − | P O Box 445 | + | [http://www.essex-virginia.org/ex_gov.htm Essex County Courthouse]<br>P O Box 445<br>Tappahannock, Virginia 22560<br>Phone: 804-443-3541<br> |
| − | + | Clerk Circuit Court has marriage records from 1814, <br>divorce and land records from 1865, probate records<br>from 1656 and court records from 1692<ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Essex County, Virginia. Page 713 {{WorldCat|50140092|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref> | |
| − | + | Essex County Courthouse is the repository for seventeenth-century records of [[(Old) Rappahannock County, Virginia|Old Rappahannock County, Virginia]]. | |
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== History == | == History == | ||
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==== Parent County ==== | ==== Parent County ==== | ||
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Additional Essex County African American resources include: | Additional Essex County African American resources include: | ||
| − | *Heinegg, Paul. [http://freeafricanamericans.com/essex.htm "Essex County Personal Property Tax List 1782-1819,"] ''Free African Americans.com'', available online. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.] | + | *Heinegg, Paul. ''Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware.'' 2005-present. - [http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Virginia_NC.htm free online book]. Adams, Ailstock, Armfield, Atkins, Barton, Black, Bond, Bowden, Braxton, Breedlove (see introduction), Brooks, Bunday, Bush, Byrd, Cambridge (see introduction), Chandler, Clark, Cook, Day, Ellis, Fortune, Fry, Goings, Goldman, Gregory, Haithcock, Halestock, Hays, Hollinger, Jones, Kee, Lantor, Lawrence, Lawson, McCoy, McGuy, Mann, Mason, Meggs, Nickens, Rollins, Sampson, Simmons, Soleleather, Taylor, Twopence, Webb, Whistler, and Wilson families in pre-1820 Essex County, Virginia. |
| + | *Heinegg, Paul. [http://freeafricanamericans.com/essex.htm "Essex County Personal Property Tax List 1782-1819,"] ''Free African Americans.com'', available online. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.]<br> | ||
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| + | *McGuire, Lillian H. [http://www.worldcat.org/title/uprooted-and-transplanted-from-africa-to-america-focus-on-african-americans-in-essex-county-virginia-oppressions-achievements-contributions-the-1600s-1900s/oclc/45461221 ''Uprooted and Transplanted : From Africa to America : Focus on African-Americans in Essex County, Virginia : Oppressions, Achievements, Contributions, The 1600s-1900s'']. New York: Vantage Press, 1999.<br> | ||
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| + | ==== Bible Records ==== | ||
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| + | {{VABible}} | ||
==== Cemeteries ==== | ==== Cemeteries ==== | ||
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==== Census ==== | ==== Census ==== | ||
| − | + | {{VAcensus}} {{Historical populations | |
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|type = USA | |type = USA | ||
|heading = Census | |heading = Census | ||
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|1990 |8689 | |1990 |8689 | ||
|2000 |9989 | |2000 |9989 | ||
| − | }} '''''1890 Union Veterans''''' | + | }} |
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| + | '''''1783 Enumeration''''' | ||
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| + | *[http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1790m-03.pdf Essex County Heads of Families - 1783] at U.S. Census Bureau - free. County begins on page 51. | ||
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| + | '''''1890 Union Veterans''''' | ||
*Turner, Ronald Ray. ''[http://www.pwcvabooks.com/documents/VirginiaCivilWarVets.doc Virginia's Union Veterans: Eleventh Census of the United States 1890]''. Available online, courtesy: [http://www.pwcvabooks.com/index.htm Prince William County Virginia] website. [Includes residents of this county.] | *Turner, Ronald Ray. ''[http://www.pwcvabooks.com/documents/VirginiaCivilWarVets.doc Virginia's Union Veterans: Eleventh Census of the United States 1890]''. Available online, courtesy: [http://www.pwcvabooks.com/index.htm Prince William County Virginia] website. [Includes residents of this county.] | ||
| − | ==== Church ==== | + | ==== Church Records ==== |
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| + | ===== Baptist ===== | ||
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| + | {{VAbap}} | ||
===== Church of England ===== | ===== Church of England ===== | ||
| − | [[Image:Gotoarrow.png| | + | [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] See also [[North Farnham Parish, Virginia|North Farnham Parish]] <br>[[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] See also [[Piscataway Parish, Virginia|Piscataway Parish]] <br>[[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] See also [[St. Annes Parish, Essex and Caroline, Virginia|St. Anne's Parish]] <br>[[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] See also [[St. Georges Parish, Spotsylvania, Virginia|St. George's Parish]] <br>[[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] See also [[St. Marys Parish, Virginia|St. Mary's Parish]] <br>[[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] See also [[Sittenburne Parish, Virginia|Sittenburne Parish]] <br>[[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] See also [[South Farnham Parish, Virginia|South Farnham Parish]] |
==== Court ==== | ==== Court ==== | ||
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==== Immigration ==== | ==== Immigration ==== | ||
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| + | Tappahannock, also known as Hobb's Hole, has been a port since colonial times. No official passenger lists survive for the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries. | ||
{{VAimmigrant}} | {{VAimmigrant}} | ||
| − | *[[Peter Wilson Coldham|Coldham, Peter Wilson]]. ''North American Wills Registered in London 1611-1857.'' Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2007. [Includes wills of residents of Clydeside and Essex County proved in London. Land in Tappahannock is also mentioned. These records often help establish an immigrant's place of origin.] | + | *[[Peter Wilson Coldham|Coldham, Peter Wilson]]. ''North American Wills Registered in London 1611-1857.'' Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2007. [Includes wills of residents of Clydeside and Essex County proved in London. Land in Tappahannock is also mentioned. These records often help establish an immigrant's place of origin.] |
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| + | {{ImmigrantServants|Essex}} | ||
| − | ==== Land ==== | + | ==== Land and Property ==== |
'''''Deeds''''' | '''''Deeds''''' | ||
| − | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Records, 1703-1706''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. | + | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Records, 1703-1706''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29397 Ancestry] ($). |
| − | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1711-1714''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. | + | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1711-1714''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29398 Ancestry] ($). |
| − | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1714-1717''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. | + | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1714-1717''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29399 Ancestry] ($). |
'''''Grants and Patents''''' | '''''Grants and Patents''''' | ||
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===== '''''War of 1812''''' ===== | ===== '''''War of 1812''''' ===== | ||
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| + | Essex County men served in the 6th Regiment.<ref>Stuart Lee Butler, ''A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812'' (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., 1988), 78. {{FHL|669440|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 M2bs}}.</ref> | ||
*''List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance...'' Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. {{FHL|286899|item}} 973 M2Lp v. 5; digital versions at [http://books.google.com/books?id=t7oqAAAAMAAJ Google Books] and [http://www.archive.org/details/listpensionerso02buregoog Internet Archive]. [See Vol. 5, Virginia, Essex County, pp. 77-78.] | *''List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance...'' Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. {{FHL|286899|item}} 973 M2Lp v. 5; digital versions at [http://books.google.com/books?id=t7oqAAAAMAAJ Google Books] and [http://www.archive.org/details/listpensionerso02buregoog Internet Archive]. [See Vol. 5, Virginia, Essex County, pp. 77-78.] | ||
| − | ===== | + | ===== Civil War ===== |
| − | + | {{VAciv}} | |
| − | < | + | :- [[9th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Johnson's) (Confederate)|9th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate)]]. Company F (Essex Light Dragoons). |
| + | :- [[9th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate)|9th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate)]]. Company F (Essex Light Dragoons).<ref>Robert K. Krick, ''9th Virginia Cavalry'' (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1982). {{FHL|342006|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 2}}.</ref> | ||
| + | :- [[47th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate)|47th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate)]]. Company H (1st) (Essex Sharpshooters) and Company I (1st) (Essex Grays).<ref>Homer D. Musselman, ''47th Virginia Infantry'' (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1991). {{FHL|416731|item|disp=FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 73}}.</ref> | ||
| + | :- [[55th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate)]]. Companies A, D, F, and G. | ||
| − | + | Records and histories are available, including: | |
| − | + | *Virginia, Civil War [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://www.familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1932382 Service Records of Confederate Soldiers 1861-1865] | |
| − | + | *Virginia, Civil War [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://www.familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1932427 Service Records of Union Soldiers 1861-1865] | |
| − | :- | + | |
==== Native Americans ==== | ==== Native Americans ==== | ||
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==== Naturalization ==== | ==== Naturalization ==== | ||
| − | <br>Virginia [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://www.familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1877093 Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1929]<br> | + | <br>Virginia [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://www.familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1877093 Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1929]<br> |
==== Newspapers ==== | ==== Newspapers ==== | ||
| − | + | {{VAnews}} | |
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| − | + | Indexed images of the [http://research.history.org/DigitalLibrary/BrowseVG.cfm Virginia Gazette ](1736-1780) are available online through the [http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/ Colonial Williamsburg ]website. In addition, Professor Tom Costa and The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia have created a database of all runaway advertisements for slaves, indentured servants, transported convicts, and ship deserters listed in this source and other Virginia newspapers (1736-1803), see: [http://www2.vcdh.virginia.edu/gos/ The Geography of Slavery in Virginia]. These newspapers are valuable resources for all regions of Virginia. | |
| − | + | ==== Occupations ==== | |
*Cutten, George Barton. ''The Silversmiths of Virginia (together with Watchmakers and Jewelers) from 1694 to 1850.'' Richmond, Va.: The Dietz Press, Incorporated, 1952. Available at {{FHL|78198|title-id|disp=FHL}}. [Includes a section on Essex County (Ephesus Springs) silversmiths.] | *Cutten, George Barton. ''The Silversmiths of Virginia (together with Watchmakers and Jewelers) from 1694 to 1850.'' Richmond, Va.: The Dietz Press, Incorporated, 1952. Available at {{FHL|78198|title-id|disp=FHL}}. [Includes a section on Essex County (Ephesus Springs) silversmiths.] | ||
| − | ==== | + | ==== Private Papers ==== |
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| + | *Historical [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/show#uri=http://www.familysearch.org/searchapi/search/collection/1932510 Society Papers, 1607-2007] | ||
| + | ==== Probate Records ==== | ||
{{Vawill|1692-1800}} | {{Vawill|1692-1800}} | ||
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'''''Local Courts''''' | '''''Local Courts''''' | ||
| − | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Records, 1703-1706''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search. | + | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Records, 1703-1706''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29397 Ancestry] ($). |
| − | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1711-1714''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search. | + | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1711-1714''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29398 Ancestry] ($). |
| − | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1714-1717''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search. | + | *Fleet, Beverley. ''Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1714-1717''. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at {{FHL|781024|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital version at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=29399 Ancestry] ($). |
*Sweeny, William Montgomery. ''Wills of Rappahannock County, Virginia 1656 - 1692.'' [Lynchburg, Virginia?]: Mrs. W.M. Sweeny, 1947. Available {{FHL|109797|title-id|disp=FHL US/CAN Book 975.534 P2s}} and {{FHL|109797|title-id|disp=FHL US/CAN Film 1421588 Item 4}}. Digital version [http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/indexinfo.aspx?ix=gpc0806351748_williammontgomerysweeny1947 World Vital Records] ($). | *Sweeny, William Montgomery. ''Wills of Rappahannock County, Virginia 1656 - 1692.'' [Lynchburg, Virginia?]: Mrs. W.M. Sweeny, 1947. Available {{FHL|109797|title-id|disp=FHL US/CAN Book 975.534 P2s}} and {{FHL|109797|title-id|disp=FHL US/CAN Film 1421588 Item 4}}. Digital version [http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/indexinfo.aspx?ix=gpc0806351748_williammontgomerysweeny1947 World Vital Records] ($). | ||
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==== Vital Records ==== | ==== Vital Records ==== | ||
| − | {{VAbmd}} | + | {{VAbmd}} |
| − | *Wilkerson, Eva Eubank. ''Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia, 1655-1900''. Richmond, VA, USA: Clearfield Co., 1953. | + | ===== Marriage ===== |
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| + | *'''1655-1900''' - Wilkerson, Eva Eubank. ''Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia, 1655-1900''. Richmond, VA, USA: Clearfield Co., 1953. {{FHL|104498|title-id|disp=FHL}}; 1983 reprint available at {{FHL|1108413|title-id|disp=FHL}}; digital versions at [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4033 Ancestry] ($); {{FSbook|951362}} - free; [http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/indexinfo.aspx?ix=qcdva6109_rappahannock World Vital Records] ($). | ||
| + | *'''1660-1800''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3002 Virginia Marriages 1660-1800] (Ancestry) ($). | ||
| + | *'''1740-1850''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=3723 Virginia Marriages 1740-1850] (Ancestry) ($). | ||
| + | *'''1851-1900''' - [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4498 Virginia Marriages 1851-1900] (Ancestry) ($). | ||
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| + | ===== Death ===== | ||
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| + | {{LoVdeath}} | ||
===== Vital Record Substitutes ===== | ===== Vital Record Substitutes ===== | ||
| − | {{VAnewspapers}} | + | {{VAnewspapers}} |
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| + | {{Tip|For birth, marriage, and death record substitutes, see [[{{PAGENAME}}#Bible Records|Bible Records]], [[{{PAGENAME}}#Cemeteries|Cemeteries]], [[{{PAGENAME}}#Church Records|Church Records]], [[{{PAGENAME}}#Newspapers|Newspapers]], and [[{{PAGENAME}}#Probate Records|Probate Records]].}} | ||
== Societies and Libraries == | == Societies and Libraries == | ||
| − | *[[Tidewater Genealogical Society|Tidewater Genealogical Society]] | + | *[[Tidewater Genealogical Society|Tidewater Genealogical Society]] |
| + | *[http://mpaagenealogicalsociety.org/ Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical & Historical Society] | ||
{{RAOGKlibrary}} | {{RAOGKlibrary}} | ||
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== Websites == | == Websites == | ||
| − | *Essex County, Virginia [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vaessex/esxmain.html USGENWEB] | + | *Essex County, Virginia [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vaessex/esxmain.html USGENWEB] |
*{{FHL|Virginia%2C+Essex|subject|disp=Family History Library Catalog}} | *{{FHL|Virginia%2C+Essex|subject|disp=Family History Library Catalog}} | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Neck "Northern Neck,"] ''Wikipedia''. | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Neck "Northern Neck,"] ''Wikipedia''. | ||
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* Learning [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Help:Contributor_Help How to Edit our Wiki Sites] | * Learning [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Help:Contributor_Help How to Edit our Wiki Sites] | ||
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| link = https://www.familysearch.org/learningcenter/home.html | | link = https://www.familysearch.org/learningcenter/home.html | ||
| name = Fun Five Minute Genealogy Videos | | name = Fun Five Minute Genealogy Videos | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
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{{Virginia|Virginia}} | {{Virginia|Virginia}} | ||
| − | + | </div>{{-}} | |
[[Category:Essex_County,_Virginia]] [[Category:(Old)_Rappahannock_County,_Virginia]] | [[Category:Essex_County,_Virginia]] [[Category:(Old)_Rappahannock_County,_Virginia]] | ||
Revision as of 20:24, 18 December 2012
United States
Virginia
Essex County
Essex County, Virginia genealogy and family history research page. Guide to Essex County (established 1692) genealogy, history, and courthouse sources including birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, wills, deeds and land records, Civil War records, Revolutionary War records, family histories, cemeteries, churches, tax records, newspapers, and obituaries.
| Essex County, Virginia | |
| Map | |
| | |
![]() Location in the state of Virginia | |
![]() Location of Virginia in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded | 1692 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Tappahannock |
| Courthouse | |
County Courthouse
| | |||||
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Census | Land | Probate |
| 1856 | 1804 | 1856 | 1810 | 1656 | 1656 |
Essex County Courthouse
P O Box 445
Tappahannock, Virginia 22560
Phone: 804-443-3541
Clerk Circuit Court has marriage records from 1814,
divorce and land records from 1865, probate records
from 1656 and court records from 1692[1]
Essex County Courthouse is the repository for seventeenth-century records of Old Rappahannock County, Virginia.
History
Parent County
1692--Essex County was created 16 April 1692 from Rappahannock (old) County.
County seat: Tappahannock [2]
Boundary Changes
Record Loss
- Lost censuses: 1790, 1800, 1890
Places/Localities
Populated Places
Neighboring Counties
Resources
Getting Started
Compiled genealogies are a good place to start research for this area, see Essex County, Virginia Genealogy.
If you are researching families who lived in Essex County, Virginia between the 1690s and 1750s, the Sparacios' books are a great time saver. They comprehensively index several publications covering that period:
- Sparacio, Ruth Trickey and Sam Sparacio. Surname Index of Antient Press Publications. 14+ vols. McLean, Va.: R. & S. Sparacio, Antient Press, 1993-. FHL Collection 975.5 P22s v. 1-2; publisher's website: Antient Press.
Research Guides
- Davis, Virginia Lee Hutcheson. "Records of Tidewater Virginia Counties," Tidewater Virginia Families: A Magazine of History and Genealogy, Vol. 1, No. 2 (May-June 1992):53-66. FHL Collection 975.51 D25t [For Essex County, see p. 57]
African American
Freedmen's Bureau Letters or Correspondence, 1865-18721
The original Register of Free Negroes, 1810-1861 for Essex County is kept at the County Courthouse. It has been microfilmed by the Library of Virginia FHL Collection 1929922 Item 6, 1929923 Item 1, and abstracted:
- Davis, Virginia Lee Hutcheson. "Register of Free Blacks, 1810-1843, Essex County," Tidewater Virginia Families: A Magazine of History and Genealogy, Vol. 8, No. 3 (November/December 1999):179-187; Vol. 8, No. 4 (February/March 2000):247-251; Vol. 9, No. 1 (May/June 2000):50-55; Vol. 9, No. 2 (August/September 2000):118-121; Vol. 9, No. 3 (November/December 2000):188-191. FHL Collection 975.51 D25t
Additional Essex County African American resources include:
- Heinegg, Paul. Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. 2005-present. - free online book. Adams, Ailstock, Armfield, Atkins, Barton, Black, Bond, Bowden, Braxton, Breedlove (see introduction), Brooks, Bunday, Bush, Byrd, Cambridge (see introduction), Chandler, Clark, Cook, Day, Ellis, Fortune, Fry, Goings, Goldman, Gregory, Haithcock, Halestock, Hays, Hollinger, Jones, Kee, Lantor, Lawrence, Lawson, McCoy, McGuy, Mann, Mason, Meggs, Nickens, Rollins, Sampson, Simmons, Soleleather, Taylor, Twopence, Webb, Whistler, and Wilson families in pre-1820 Essex County, Virginia.
- Heinegg, Paul. "Essex County Personal Property Tax List 1782-1819," Free African Americans.com, available online. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.]
- McGuire, Lillian H. Uprooted and Transplanted : From Africa to America : Focus on African-Americans in Essex County, Virginia : Oppressions, Achievements, Contributions, The 1600s-1900s. New York: Vantage Press, 1999.
Bible Records
Images of the Virginia Historical Society's family Bible collection have been digitized:
- Virginia Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007 - browse collection at FamilySearch; free.
Additional Bible records include:
Cemeteries
- Tombstone Transcription Project Essex County - cemetery transcriptions - USGenWeb
Census
For tips on accessing Essex County, Virginia census records online, see: Virginia Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1790 | 9,122 | — |
| 1800 | 9,508 | 4.2% |
| 1810 | 9,376 | −1.4% |
| 1820 | 9,909 | 5.7% |
| 1830 | 10,521 | 6.2% |
| 1840 | 11,309 | 7.5% |
| 1850 | 10,206 | −9.8% |
| 1860 | 10,469 | 2.6% |
| 1870 | 9,927 | −5.2% |
| 1880 | 11,032 | 11.1% |
| 1890 | 10,047 | −8.9% |
| 1900 | 9,701 | −3.4% |
| 1910 | 9,105 | −6.1% |
| 1920 | 8,542 | −6.2% |
| 1930 | 6,976 | −18.3% |
| 1940 | 7,006 | 0.4% |
| 1950 | 6,530 | −6.8% |
| 1960 | 6,690 | 2.5% |
| 1970 | 7,099 | 6.1% |
| 1980 | 8,864 | 24.9% |
| 1990 | 8,689 | −2.0% |
| 2000 | 9,989 | 15.0% |
| Source: "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. | ||
1783 Enumeration
- Essex County Heads of Families - 1783 at U.S. Census Bureau - free. County begins on page 51.
1890 Union Veterans
- Turner, Ronald Ray. Virginia's Union Veterans: Eleventh Census of the United States 1890. Available online, courtesy: Prince William County Virginia website. [Includes residents of this county.]
Church Records
Baptist
The 10,000 name petition (dated 16 October 1776) has been digitized at the Library of Congress website. It was signed by people from all over Virginia who wanted an end to persecution of Baptists by the Established Church. Baptists and Baptist sympathizers alike signed the petition. To find your ancestor in this record, first check Hall's transcription in the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy (Vols. 35-38, with annotations in Vol. 39), which is available online at Ancestry ($). It is also available in book form at the Family History Library: FHL Book 975.5 B2vs v. 35-39. Then proceed to the Library of Congress website to see the original images.
Church of England
See also North Farnham Parish
See also Piscataway Parish
See also St. Anne's Parish
See also St. George's Parish
See also St. Mary's Parish
See also Sittenburne Parish
See also South Farnham Parish
Court
County Court
Most Essex County, Virginia County Court Order Books have survived (starting in 1692). They have been abstracted from 1692 to 1729.[3]
Superior Court of Chancery
The Superior Court of Chancery of Fredericksburg (1802-1831) had jurisdiction over certain Essex County court cases. An index has been compiled:
- Indexes of Court Records in the Clerk's Office, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 1782-1904. Original records, Fredericksburg City Courthouse, Fredericksburg, Va., microfilmed reproduction available at FHL. [Indexes the following records: District Court law book v. 8, 1782-1792; District Court law books 1790-1793, v. A-F 1789-1811; Superior Court of Law law order books v. G-H 1812-1831; Superior Court of Chancery chancery order books 1814-1831; Hustings Court orders v. A-O 1782-1871; Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery law order books v. A-E 1831-1875; Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery chancery order books v. A-D 1831-1872; Circuit Court chancery order books v. A2, B-C 1875-1904; Fredericksburg District Court (1789-1808) had jurisdiction over the following counties: Spotsylvania (including Fredericksburg), Caroline, King George, Stafford, Orange, and Culpeper; Superior Court of Chancery (1802-1831) had jurisdiction over the following localities: city of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fairfax, Lancaster, Northumberland, Madison, King George, Orange, Prince William, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Essex, and Westmoreland.]
Genealogy
More than 250 genealogies have been published about Essex County families. To view a list, visit Essex County, Virginia Genealogy.
Historic Residences
- Woman's Club of Essex County (Virginia). Old Homes of Essex County. n.p.: Woman's Club of Essex County (Virginia), c1940, 1957. Available at FHL.
Immigration
Tappahannock, also known as Hobb's Hole, has been a port since colonial times. No official passenger lists survive for the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries.
Headright grants identify many Essex County, Virginia immigrants who arrived before 1720.[4] The Virginia Immigration article provides tips about using this source.
Additional resources include:
- Coldham, Peter Wilson. North American Wills Registered in London 1611-1857. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2007. [Includes wills of residents of Clydeside and Essex County proved in London. Land in Tappahannock is also mentioned. These records often help establish an immigrant's place of origin.]
- List of imported servants and transported convicts from Europe who served labor terms in Colonial Essex County, Virginia (work in progress), courtesy: Immigrant Servants Database.
Land and Property
Deeds
- Fleet, Beverley. Essex County Records, 1703-1706. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. FHL; digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Fleet, Beverley. Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1711-1714. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. FHL; digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Fleet, Beverley. Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1714-1717. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. FHL; digital version at Ancestry ($).
Grants and Patents
- Gray, Gertrude E. Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants 1694-1742. Vol. I. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1987. Available at [1]. [Includes Essex County.]
Local Histories
- Slaughter, James B. Settlers, Southerners, Americans: The History of Essex County, Virginia, 1608-1984. n.p.: Essex County Board of Supervisors, c1985 (1998). Available at FHL.
- Warner, Thomas Hoskins. History of Old Rappanhannock County, Virginia, 1656-1692: With Introduction, 1608-1656, Including the Present Counties of Essex and Richmond and Parts of Westmoreland, King George, Stafford, Caroline and Spotsylvania Counties. Tappahannock, Virginia: P.P. Warner, 1965. Available at FHL.
Maps
Migration
- Clay, Robert Y. "Some Delinquent Taxpayers 1787-1790," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 21, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1977):167-171. Available at FHL; digital version at New England Ancestors ($). [These records often identify migrants who left the county and their intended destinations. Essex County's 1788-1789 Delinquent Lists appear on pp. 169-170.]
Military
Colonial Militia
- Bockstruck, Lloyd DeWitt. Virginia's Colonial Soldiers. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988. Available at FHL. [Identifies some Essex County militia officers and/or soldiers; see place name index.]
- Crozier, William Armstrong. Virginia Colonial Militia 1651-1776. Baltimore: Southern Book Co., 1954. Available at FHL; digital book at Ancestry ($). [Identifies some Essex County militia officers; see place name index.]
French and Indian War
- Bockstruck, Lloyd DeWitt. Virginia's Colonial Soldiers. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988. FHL Collection [Identifies some Essex County militia officers, soldier enlistments, and veterans; see place name index.]
- Boogher, William F. Gleanings of Virginia History: An Historical and Genealogical Collection, Largely from Original Sources. Washington: n.p., 1903. FHL Collection; digital version at Google Books. [Includes a chapter titled "Legislative Enactments connecting the preceding historic sketch [French and Indian War, Lord Dunmore's War] with the adjudication of the resulting accounts that follow; with the list of officers, soldiers and civilians entitled to compensation for military and other services rendered." For Essex County, see p. 75.]
- Crozier, William Armstrong. Virginia Colonial Militia 1651-1776. Baltimore: Southern Book Co., 1954. FHL Collection; digital book at Ancestry ($). [Identifies some Essex County militia officers; see place name index.]
Revolutionary War
Regiments. Service men in Essex County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Essex County supplied soldiers for the:
Additional resources:
- Stewart, Robert Armistead. "Essex Militia," [1781] The Researcher: A Magazine of History and Genealogical Exchange, Vol. 1, No. 4 (Jul. 1927):237. FHL Collection. [Taken from Auditor's Public Claim Papers, Virginia State Archives.]
- A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census]. 1841. Digital version at Google Books. 1967 reprint: FHL Collection 973 X2pc 1840. [See Virginia, Eastern District, Essex County on page 130.]
War of 1812
Essex County men served in the 6th Regiment.[5]
- List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance... Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. FHL Collection 973 M2Lp v. 5; digital versions at Google Books and Internet Archive. [See Vol. 5, Virginia, Essex County, pp. 77-78.]
Civil War
Regiments. Service men in Essex County, Virginia served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Essex County, Virginia:
- - 9th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company F (Essex Light Dragoons).
- - 9th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company F (Essex Light Dragoons).[6]
- - 47th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company H (1st) (Essex Sharpshooters) and Company I (1st) (Essex Grays).[7]
- - 55th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Companies A, D, F, and G.
Records and histories are available, including:
- Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers 1861-1865
- Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers 1861-1865
Native Americans
Naturalization
Virginia Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1929
Newspapers
The Virginia Newspapers Project identifies local Essex County, Virginia newspapers.
Indexed images of the Virginia Gazette (1736-1780) are available online through the Colonial Williamsburg website. In addition, Professor Tom Costa and The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia have created a database of all runaway advertisements for slaves, indentured servants, transported convicts, and ship deserters listed in this source and other Virginia newspapers (1736-1803), see: The Geography of Slavery in Virginia. These newspapers are valuable resources for all regions of Virginia.
Occupations
- Cutten, George Barton. The Silversmiths of Virginia (together with Watchmakers and Jewelers) from 1694 to 1850. Richmond, Va.: The Dietz Press, Incorporated, 1952. Available at FHL. [Includes a section on Essex County (Ephesus Springs) silversmiths.]
Private Papers
- Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007
Probate Records
A free index to Essex County, Virginia wills and administrations (1692-1800) is available at the <a href="http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/?func=file&file_name=find-b-clas08&local_base=CLAS08">Library of Virginia</a> website.
Local Courts
- Fleet, Beverley. Essex County Records, 1703-1706. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at FHL; digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Fleet, Beverley. Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1711-1714. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at FHL; digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Fleet, Beverley. Essex County Wills and Deeds, 1714-1717. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1961. Three copies available at FHL; digital version at Ancestry ($).
- Sweeny, William Montgomery. Wills of Rappahannock County, Virginia 1656 - 1692. [Lynchburg, Virginia?]: Mrs. W.M. Sweeny, 1947. Available FHL US/CAN Book 975.534 P2s and FHL US/CAN Film 1421588 Item 4. Digital version World Vital Records ($).
London Courts
- Coldham, Peter Wilson. North American Wills Registered in London 1611-1857. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2007. [Includes wills of residents of Clydeside and Essex County proved in London. Land in Tappahannock is also mentioned. These records often help establish an immigrant's place of origin.]
Taxation
How can Virginia tax lists help me?
The original Essex County Personal Property Tax Lists are kept at the Library of Virginia. Microfilm copies for the years 1782 to 1852 are available at the Family History Library: FHL Films 2024527-2024529.
Published abstracts:
- [1704] "Virginia Quit Rent Rolls, 1704," Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 28 (1920):207-218, 328-339; Vol. 29 (1921):18-28, 337-343, 402-412; Vol. 30 (1922):21-30, 280-285, 341-347; Vol. 31 (1923):70-75, 153-163, 215-231, 314-318; Vol. 32 (1924):69-75, 144-158, 281-287, 338-343; Vol. 33 (1925):47-50, 359-370; Vol. 34 (1926):113-119, 252-258, 313, 321. Available at FHL; reprinted in Virginia Tax Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1983, which is also available at FHL; digital version of VMHB at JSTOR ($). [Essex County appears in 33:359-370. "Thomas Leftwitch in Essex" appears on the King and Queen County list, see 32:151.]
- [1704] Nicklin, John Bailey Calvert. "Essex County: An Annotated Copy of the Rent Roll of 1704," William and Mary College Quarterly, 2nd Series, Vol. 21 (1941):397-405. Available at FHL; reprinted in Virginia Tax Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1983, which is also available at FHL; digital version of W&MQ at JSTOR ($).
- [1715] Nicklin, John Bailey Calvert. "Quit Rent Roll of 1715 - Essex County, Va.," William and Mary College Quarterly, 2nd Series, Vol. 18 (1938):203-206. Available at FHL; reprinted in Virginia Tax Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1983, which is also available at FHL; digital version at JSTOR ($).
- [1741] Sweeny, William Montgomery. "True and Exact Poll of the Election of Burgesses, Essex County, Va., November 20, 1741," William and Mary College Quarterly, 2nd Series, Vol. 22 (1942):54-60. Available at FHL; reprinted in Virginia Tax Records. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1983, which is also available at FHL; digital version at JSTOR ($).
- [1782-1819] Heinegg, Paul. "Essex County Personal Property Tax List 1782-1819," Free African Americans.com, available online. [Heinegg abstracted free blacks listed in these records.]
- [1787] Schreiner-Yantis, Netti and Florene Speakman Love. The 1787 Census of Virginia: An Accounting of the Name of Every White Male Tithable Over 21 Years, the Number of White Males Between 16 & 21 Years, the Number of Slaves over 16 & Those Under 16 Years, Together with a Listing of Their Horses, Cattle & Carriages, and Also the Names of All Persons to Whom Ordinary Licenses and Physician's Licenses Were Issued. 3 vols. Springfield, Va.: Genealogical Books in Print, 1987. Available at FHL. [The source of this publication is the 1787 personal property tax list. Essex County is included in Vol. 2.]
- [1788-1789] Clay, Robert Y. "Some Delinquent Taxpayers 1787-1790," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 21, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1977):167-171. Available at FHL; digital version at New England Ancestors ($). [These records often identify migrants who left the county and their intended destinations. Essex County's 1788-1789 Delinquent Lists appear on pp. 169-170.]
- [1790, 1800] Indexed images of the 1790 and 1800 Personal Property Tax Lists of Essex County, Virginia are available online, courtesy: Binns Genealogy.
- [1815] Ward, Roger D. 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer). 6 vols. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co., 1997-2000. Available at FHL. [The source for this publication is the 1815 land tax. Essex County is included in Vol. 3.]
Vital Records
Indexes to Essex County, Virginia births, marriages, and deaths are available online. These collections are incomplete, but are easy to search. Courtesy: FamilySearch - free.
Marriage
- 1655-1900 - Wilkerson, Eva Eubank. Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia, 1655-1900. Richmond, VA, USA: Clearfield Co., 1953. FHL; 1983 reprint available at FHL; digital versions at Ancestry ($); FamilySearch Books Online - free; World Vital Records ($).
- 1660-1800 - Virginia Marriages 1660-1800 (Ancestry) ($).
- 1740-1850 - Virginia Marriages 1740-1850 (Ancestry) ($).
- 1851-1900 - Virginia Marriages 1851-1900 (Ancestry) ($).
Death
Essex County, Virginia deaths are included in the Library of Virginia's Death Index of Virginia, 1853-1896, sponsored by The Virginia Genealogical Society, available online - free.
Vital Record Substitutes
The Virginia Historical Society's Marriage and Obituary Index, 1736-1820 (newspaper abstracts) is available for free online. Images of the original index cards are browseable, arranged alphabetically by surname.
| For birth, marriage, and death record substitutes, see Bible Records, Cemeteries, Church Records, Newspapers, and Probate Records. |
Societies and Libraries
Family History Centers
Websites
- Essex County, Virginia USGENWEB
- Family History Library Catalog
- "Northern Neck," Wikipedia.
- RootsWeb Mailing List: VA-NORTHERN-NECK-L
- Cyndi's List
- Learning How to Edit our Wiki Sites
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References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Essex County, Virginia. Page 713 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America,10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ Sparacio
- ↑ John Frederick Dorman, "Review of Cavaliers and Pioneers," in The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 24, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1980):221. Digital version at American Ancestors ($). FHL Book 975.5 B2vg v. 24 (1980)
- ↑ Stuart Lee Butler, A Guide to Virginia Militia Units in the War of 1812 (Athens, Ga.: Iberian Pub. Co., 1988), 78. FHL Book 975.5 M2bs.
- ↑ Robert K. Krick, 9th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1982). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 2.
- ↑ Homer D. Musselman, 47th Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1991). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 73.
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