Record loss
Many loose papers are missing, but most record books survive. Most loose papers before 1781 are missing. The deed, will and order books from before 1781 survive.
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 county 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 Brunswick 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
- Deeds, Wills, Etc1732–1740
- General Index to Deeds1732–1881
- Deed Book1740–1902
- FOR ADDITIONAL DEEDS1741–1783
- FOR DEEDS1764
- Record Book1789–1904
- Processioners' Returns1795–1816
- Release Deeds1885–1969
- Plat Book1965–1974
Wills
- FOR WILLS1732–1740
- General Index to Wills1732–1948
- Will Book1739–1925
- FOR ADDITIONAL WILLS1781–1783
Estates and guardianships
- General Index to Guardians' Accounts1732–1948
- Orphans' Book1740–1781
- General Index to Fiduciary Accounts1769–1974
- Guardians' Accounts1780–1973
- List of Fiduciaries1827–1904
- Fiduciary Accounts1904–1911
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriage Records1750–1850
- Marriage Bonds1751–1849
- Marriage Register1751–1853
- Certificates of Marriage1833–1853
- Marriage Licenses1850–1901
- Original Marriage Licenses1850–1912
- Register of Births1853–1896
- Register of Deaths1853–1855
- Certificates of Marriages1855–1886
- Certificates Granting Marriage Licenses1875–1883
- Certificates Granting Marriages1882–1884
- Marriage Licenses, etc1887–1889
- Abstract of Marriage Licenses Issued1901–1967
- Register of Marriages1914–1916
Court orders and minutes
- Order Book1732–1974
- Plea Book1816–1818
- Minute Book1824–1852
- Index to Ended Chancery Causes1830–1901
- Common Law Order Book1831–1909
- Chancery Order Book1832–1904
- Judgment Lien Docket and Execution Book1951–1954
Records of free Black and enslaved people
- Register of Free Negroes1803–1864
Military and pensions
- Muster Roll1861–1865
Elections
- Brunswick County Democratic Committee Minute Book1955–1972
County government and the poor
- Board of Supervisors' Record of Proceedings1870–1974
- School Board and School Trustee Minutes1871–1922
- Electoral Board Minutes1885–1939
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
- Brunswick 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: Brunswick 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, Brunswick" 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: Prince George County
Check the parent county for earlier records: Prince George County
Later formed partly from Brunswick County: Amelia County, Greensville County, Lunenburg County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1720 (government established 1732), 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.