Record loss
Many loose papers are missing, but most record books survive. Union troops vandalized the courthouse in 1863 and 1864, destroying Deed Book A and most loose papers. Earlier deeds were recorded again in Deed Books B and C; order and will books 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 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 Craig 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 Book1851–1903
- General Index to Deeds1851–1912
- Plat Book1851–1932
- Release Deed Book1884–1894
Wills
- General Index to Wills1850–1893
- Will Book1851–1977
Estates and guardianships
- Register of Fiduciaries1864–1884
- Fiduciary Settlements1973–1979
Marriages, births and deaths
- Register of Births1864–1896
- Register of Deaths1864–1869
- Marriage Register1865–1979
- Marriages Performed1969–1979
Court orders and minutes
- Order Book1851–1863
- Minute Book1863–1866
- Chancery Order Book1864–1908
- Common Law Order Book1864–1909
- Judgment Lien Docket1865–1967
Military and pensions
- Muster Roll1861–1918
- Record of World War Veterans1925–1957
- Induction and Discharge Records1944–1979
Bonds and oaths
- Bond Book1851–1979
County government and the poor
- Overseers of the Poor Record Book1851–1869
- Board of Supervisors' Order Book1870–1979
- District Road Book1886–1906
- Board of Supervisors' Road Book1898–1928
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
- Craig 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: Craig 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, Craig" 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: Botetourt County, Giles County, Monroe County (W.Va.), Roanoke County
Check the parent counties for earlier records: Botetourt County, Giles County, Roanoke County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1851, 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.