Record loss
Many loose papers are missing, but most record books survive. Order books for 1718–1741 and some other early volumes are fragmentary, and most loose papers before 1806 are missing.
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 Surry 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
- Deeds, Wills, Etc1652–1783
- Deed Book1741–1964
- Deeds1792–1873
- Processioners' Returns1796–1915
- Index to Plats1810–1964
- Plat Book1810–1964
- DEED BOOK1834–1836
- General Index to Deeds1848–1913
- Release Deed Book1885–1963
- Deed of Trust Book1900–1964
Wills
- Wills, etc1783–1926
- General Index to Wills and Fiduciaries1959–1973
Estates and guardianships
- Guardians' Accounts1672–1926
- Administrators' Bonds1797–1891
- Guardians' Bonds1797–1906
- Executors' Bonds1798–1858
- Fiduciary Accounts1831–1848
- Fiduciary Account Book1849–1947
- Fiduciary Bond Book1891–1973
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriage Register1768–1974
- Register of Births1853–1896
- Register of Deaths1853–1896
- Freedman's Marriage Register1866
Court orders and minutes
- Orders1671–1902
- NOTE: NO ORDERS FROM1718–1741
- Criminal Proceedings Against Free Persons, Slaves, etc1742–1822
- Order Book1809–1830
- Minute Book1826–1892
- Chancery Order Book1831–1921
- Rough Docket1832–1868
- Index to Ended Chancery Suits1833–1963
- Record Book1870–1941
- Register of Convicts1872–1929
Records of free Black and enslaved people
- Register of Free Negroes1794–1862
Military and pensions
- Militia Records1840–1861
- Muster Roll in the War With Germany1917–1918
- Induction and Discharge Record1946–1950
Bonds and oaths
- Special Commissioners' Bond Book1875–1930
- Officials' Bond Book1895–1970
County government and the poor
- Road Book1888–1890
- Finance Board Record Book1932–1962
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
- Surry 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: Surry 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, Surry" 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: James City County
Check the parent county for earlier records: James City County
Later formed partly from Surry County: Sussex County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1652, 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.