Records that survive
These are the record series the Library of Virginia has on microfilm for Halifax 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
- General Index to Maps and Plats1746–1966
- Deed Book1752–1901
- General Index to Deeds1752–1928
- FOR SUPERIOR COURT DEEDS1809–1822
- Processioners' Book1824
- Farmer File Plats1856–1949
- Release Deed Book1884–1892
- Entry Book1920
- Land Registration Book1920–1921
- Land Registration Docket1920
- Register of Titles1921
- Plat Book1975–1976
Wills
- General Index to Devisees1752–1976
- General Index to Wills, Fiduciaries Etc1752–1976
- Will Book1753–1912
- Will1857–1909
Estates and guardianships
- Fiduciary Bond Book1864–1909
- Fiduciary Accounts1865–1871
Marriages, births and deaths
- General Index to Marriages1752–1976
- General Index to Birth Records1853–1871
- Register of Births1853–1871
- Register of Deaths1853–1871
Tax lists
- Personal Property Tax Book1782–1799
- Record of County and Parish Levy1814
Court orders and minutes
- Fee Book1752–1792
- General Index to Order Book1752–1900
- Pleas [Court Orders]1752–1821
- Process Book1780–1789
- Order Book1809–1920
- Minutes1821–1866
- Minute Book1824–1875
- Chancery Order Book1831–1908
- Common Law Order Book1831–1976
- Index to Ended Chancery Causes1832–1964
- General Index to Judgments1884–1976
- Naturalizations1901
- Judgment Lien Docket1955–1956
Records of free Black and enslaved people
- Registers of Free Negroes1802–1853
Military and pensions
- Exemptions from Military Service1862–1863
- Virginia World War Memorial Record1925–1956
Census
- United States Census1860
Bonds and oaths
- Officials' Bonds1887–1903
- Special Commissioner's Bond Book1953–1976
Elections
- Poll List1764–1769
County government and the poor
- Staunton District School Trustees Record Book1870–1886
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
- Halifax 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: Halifax 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, Halifax" 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: Lunenburg County
Check the parent county for earlier records: Lunenburg County
Later formed partly from Halifax County: Pittsylvania County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1752, 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.