Statewide Resources

Authoritative starting points by category. For how-to method, use Research Guides. For local detail, open a county page.

Archives & government

Library of Virginia
Cornerstone state repository for historical and genealogical research.
LVA Chancery Records Index
Statewide equity causes — high-value for family relationships.
Library of Congress
Maps, newspapers, manuscripts.
National Archives
Federal military, census, and more.

FamilySearch — Virginia Wiki
Portal to Virginia research guidance and collections.
North Carolina Genealogy (sister site)
Sister research hub for NC counties and border families.
South Carolina Genealogy (sister site)
Sister research hub for SC counties and border families.
Tennessee Genealogy (sister site)
Sister research hub for TN counties and border families.
USGenWeb Archives — Virginia
Volunteer transcriptions and archives.

Virginia Memory
Digitized manuscripts, photos, and records from LVA and partners.

Start Here: Researching Virginia Ancestors
A practical path from “I have a name and a place” to records that actually exist in Virginia.
Counties, Independent Cities & Formation
Why your ancestor is “missing” from a county that did not exist yet—and how cities differ from counties.
Virginia Archives & Repositories (quick start)
Quick orientation to LVA, local clerks, and digital portals.
Census Research in Virginia
Federal schedules, gaps, and how to use census evidence with Virginia jurisdictions.
Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death)
Statewide registration is uneven—here is how to prove life events in Virginia.
Land & Property Records
Patents, grants, plats, deeds, and boundary language that place families on the ground.
Probate, Estates & Guardianship
Wills, administrations, inventories, and guardian bonds that name heirs and property.
Military Records (Revolution through 20th Century)
Virginia paths for Revolutionary service, Civil War, and later conflicts.