Record loss
Many loose papers are missing, but most record books survive. Most loose papers before 1830 are missing. Deed, will and order 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 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 King George 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 Book1721–1905
- General Index to Deeds1721–1982
- General Index to Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Release Deeds, and Wills1721–1924
- Oyster Inspector's Report1884–1889
- Deed of Release Book1885–1950
- Plat Book1971–1975
Wills
- Will Book1721–1804
- General Index to Wills1752–1949
- Wills1752–1901
Estates and guardianships
- General Index to Fiduciary Accounts1721–1921
- Inventories and Appraisements, etc1721–1911
- Fiduciary Bond Book1740–1915
- Orphans' Accounts1740–1761
- Record of Fiduciaries1909–1982
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriages1786–1863
- Marriage Register1856–1929
- Record of Births1871–1917
Tax lists
- Debtor Index to Financing Statements1966–1983
Court orders and minutes
- Order Book1721–1901
- Orders1735–1869
- Orders [Minutes]1761–1792
- Land Causes1792–1833
- Minute Book1792–1822
- General Index to Order Book1822–1842
- Chancery Order Book1831–1923
- Minutes1832–1839
- Jail Visitation Book1862–1863
- General Index to Ended Chancery Causes1898–1982
- Common Law Order Book1979–1982
Records of free Black and enslaved people
- Free Negro Register1794–1822
Military and pensions
- Court of Inquiry Order Book1789–1812
- Militia Record1824–1860
- Confederate Pension Board Minute Book1900–1944
- World War I Military Service1917–1918
- World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing1946
Bonds and oaths
- Bonds1765–1876
County government and the poor
- Sheriff's Execution Book1821–1823
- List of Road Surveyors1875–1891
- Electoral Board Minute Book1877–1959
- Road Surveyors' Book1895–1937
- Finance Board Minute Book1935–1960
Schools
- Minutes of the Board of School Commissioners1861–1868
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
- King George 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: King George 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, King George" 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: Richmond County
Check the parent county for earlier records: Richmond County
Later formed partly from King George County: Prince William County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1720, 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.