Records that survive
These are the record series the Library of Virginia has on microfilm for Rappahannock County (Old), with the earliest and latest years filmed. A span can include gaps; it doesn't mean every year in between survives.
Land and deeds
- FOR GENERAL INDEX TO DEEDS SEE GENERAL INDEX TO WILLS1654–1691
- Note: In General Index to Wills1654–1691
- [Embrey's] Index of Old Rappahannock1654–1692
- Records1656–1687
- Deeds1663–1668
- FOR DEEDS1665
- Deeds, Wills, Invs., etc1682–1688
- Deed Book1688–1692
Wills
- General Index to Wills1654–1691
- FOR WILLS1656–1664
- Wills, Deeds, Etc1665–1677
- Wills1677–1682
- FOR TRANSCRIPT OF WILLS1682–1687
Court orders and minutes
- Orders1683–1695
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
- Find Rappahannock County (Old)'s official website
We haven't checked this county's website yet, so this opens a web search. Look for an address ending in .gov, then find the circuit court clerk's office.
- 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: Rappahannock County (Old) 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, Rappahannock County" 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: Lancaster County
Check the parent county for earlier records: Lancaster County
Later formed partly from Rappahannock County (Old): Essex County, Richmond County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1656, 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.