Record loss
Many loose papers are missing, but most record books survive. Most loose papers burned in an 1888 fire. The volumes and some chancery papers were saved.
Before you give up, try these:
- The Library of Virginia's Lost Records Localities Digital Collection: copies of deeds, wills and other records from this place that turned up as evidence in other courts' files.
- Land tax and personal property tax books, which begin in 1782. Copies went to the state, so they often survived when the courthouse records didn't.
- The records of the parent counties and neighboring counties, where families often bought land, went to court or married.
- Chancery suits, church records, newspapers, Bible records and military pension files. See Burned Counties.
Records that survive
These are the record series the Library of Virginia has on microfilm for Bland County, with the earliest and latest years filmed. A span can include gaps; it doesn't mean every year in between survives.
Land and deeds
- Deed Book1861–1901
- General Index to Deeds1861–1980
- Surveyors' Book1863–1926
- Plat Book1909–1976
- Trust Deed Book1937–1939
Wills
- Will Book1861–1958
Estates and guardianships
- Fiduciary Settlements1875–1970
- Record of Fiduciaries1898–1910
- Record of Appraisements1903–1969
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriage Register1861–1980
- Marriage Licenses1888–1900
Tax lists
- Land Use Tax Assessment Book1978
Court orders and minutes
- Common Law Order Book1861–1918
- Order Book1861–1904
- Pleas1861–1862
- Chancery Order Book1866–1980
Military and pensions
- Board of Military Exemption Minutes1862–1863
Bonds and oaths
- Bonds1861–1890
- Bond Book1889–1919
- Officials' Bonds Book1903–1967
County government and the poor
- Board of Supervisors' Minute Book1870–1980
- Records of the Local Board of Review of Assessments1915–1925
- Finance Board Minutes1932–1955
- Public Welfare Board Minutes1938–1980
See every volume and reel number at the Library of Virginia
Source: Library of Virginia, County and City Records on Microfilm. Reels marked for interlibrary loan can be borrowed through your local library.
Where to find the records
- Bland County official website
Hours, addresses and phone numbers for the circuit court clerk's office, and any online record search the county offers.
- The circuit court clerk's office
Virginia's deed, will and marriage books are usually kept by the clerk of the circuit court for the county or city, though many older records have been moved to the Library of Virginia. Call before you visit; hours and access to older volumes vary.
- Library of Virginia: Bland County records on microfilmfree
Every filmed volume with its years and reel number. Use the reels in Richmond; many can be borrowed through interlibrary loan.
- Library of Virginia: Chancery Records Indexfree
Search equity court suits by name. They're rich in family detail: estate divisions, heirs and land disputes. Many localities' suits are scanned and free to view.
- FamilySearch Catalogfree
Search by place for "Virginia, Bland" to find filmed and digitized records, many viewable free online with a FamilySearch account.
Offices change their hours and access rules; call before you visit.
Boundaries and parent counties
Formed from: Giles County, Tazewell County, Wythe County
Check the parent counties for earlier records: Giles County, Tazewell County, Wythe County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1861, search the parent county. The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries shows each boundary change.
Research tip
Start with the deed and will books: they name relatives, neighbors and land. Then try the court order books, which mention almost everyone in the county sooner or later, as witnesses, jurors, road workers or parties to a suit.