Records that survive
These are the record series the Library of Virginia has on microfilm for City of Hampton, with the earliest and latest years filmed. A span can include gaps; it doesn't mean every year in between survives.
The Library of Virginia lists no microfilm for City of Hampton. Newer cities' records are usually kept by their own circuit court clerk, and records from before a locality was formed are with the county it was formed from.
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
- City of Hampton official website
Hours, addresses and phone numbers for the circuit court clerk's office, and any online record search the independent city 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: City of Hampton 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, Hampton" 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: Became an independent city in 1908, separating from Elizabeth City County (extinct)
Check the parent county for earlier records: Elizabeth City County
Earlier records are with the former county: Elizabeth City County
Records stay with the county that created them. Before 1908, many of this city's records may have been kept by the county it separated from, so search there too. 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 independent city sooner or later, as witnesses, jurors, road workers or parties to a suit.