Records that survive
These are the record series the Library of Virginia has on microfilm for Rockbridge 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 Book1778–1901
- General Index to Deeds1778–1887
- SURVEYS1779–1806
- Plat Record Book1787–1799
- Map of Augusta County1870
- Surveyors' Book1879–1884
- Release Deed Book1884–1920
- Index to Deeds1887–1975
Wills
- General Index to Wills1778–1951
- Will Book1778–1904
- Will1912
Estates and guardianships
- Executors' Bond Book1791–1911
- Guardians' Bond Book1807–1916
- Administrators' Bond Book1815–1947
- Record of Fiduciaries1850–1968
- Trustee Settlement Book1914–1945
Marriages, births and deaths
- General Index to Marriage and Birth Registers1778–1918
- Marriage Bonds1778–1833
- Marriage Register1778–1913
- Ministers' Returns1782–1858
- Record of Marriages1782–1853
- Marriage Bonds and Consents1833–1850
- Marriage Bonds, Consents and Ministers' Returns1850–1851
- Birth Register1853–1896
- Index to Register of Births1853–1870
- Register of Deaths1853–1870
- Marriage Certificates and Consents1854–1856
- Marriage Register 1-A1854–1889
- Register of Marriage Licenses Issued1854–1954
- Marriage Certificates1857–1866
- and 1 more series in the full listing
Tax lists
- Land Book1783–1927
Court orders and minutes
- Index to Chancery Causes1778–1948
- Order Book1778–1904
- Minute Book1779–1867
- Fee Book1783–1786
- Rule Docket1795–1871
- Memorandum Book1803–1930
- Pleas1819–1891
- Court Docket1821–1873
- ORDERS1821–1841
- Chancery Order Book1831–1902
- Common Law Order Book1831–1917
- Chancery Suit1841
- Record of Convicts1871–1916
Records of free Black and enslaved people
- Register of Free Negroes1805–1860
Military and pensions
- Loose Military Records1820–1939
- Muster Roll1861–1865
- Lee-Jackson Camp Record1894–1915
- Confederate Pension Board Minute Book1900–1902
- Camp Frank Paxton1905–1926
- Lee-Jackson Camp Register1907
Census
- County Census1870
Bonds and oaths
- Commissioners'1875–1912
County government and the poor
- School Board Minute Book1870–1976
- Central School Board Minute Book1875–1925
- Superintendent of the Poor Ledger1875–1888
- Board of Supervisors' Minute Book1886–1931
- Poor House Register1887–1927
- Board of Supervisors' Road Commissioners'1894–1909
- Account Book1899–1907
Roads
- Register of Boats1811–1828
- Junction Valley Turnpike Company Stock Book1851–1854
- Canal Record Book1854–1870
- Natural Bridge District Road Board Minute Book1885–1914
Schools
- Account Book1871–1922
- Public School Register1886–1891
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
- Rockbridge 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: Rockbridge 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, Rockbridge" 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: Augusta County, Botetourt County
Check the parent counties for earlier records: Augusta County, Botetourt County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1778, 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.