Do you suspect that your family roots extend into Virginia? If so, you'll be amazed that two of the nation's foremost genealogical resource centers are in Richmond — the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Historical Society.You will probably find what you need at these two treasure troves of information.

Then, when you find out more specific information about your ancestors, you can visit the regional and county resources listed below and read about specific ethnic groups that settled in in Virginia.

The Library of Virginia

Visit the Library of Virginia online at www.lva.virginia.gov and click on What We Have, for a listing of collections, including: publications; various government records; architectural drawings and plans; Bible records; business and organization records. A few records are available online, but you will probably have to visit the Library at some point in your research.

The Virginia Historical Society

Visit the Virginia Historical Society online at http://www.vahistorical.org and click on Research, then click on Search the Collections. Of particular interest for genealogical research can be found at http://www.vahistorical.org/research/genealogy.htm 

Other Genealogy Resources in Virginia

 

Blue Ridge Highlands | Central Virginia
Chesapeake Bay | Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore
Northern Virginia | Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads 

Ethnic Features

African Americans | Germans
Hispanics & Latinos | Native Americans
Scots-Irish 

Blue Ridge Highlands

Hillsville - The Carroll County Historical Museum has an extensive archive and reference section for genealogists.

Marion - The Smyth County Historical & Museum Society has a collection of photographs and manuscripts as well as exhibits highlighting unique periods of the

Central Virginia

Charlottesville - Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society has a research library with more than 2,000 books and periodicals, photographs, manuscripts, maps, and other publications relating to the history of the community.

Amherst - Amherst County Museum & Historical Society has an extensive genealogy research library.

Bedford - The Bedford City/County Museum is headquarters for the Bedford Genealogical Society and Library.

Bedford - The Bedford County Courthouse has a Records Room open weekdays to the public.

Goochland - Goochland County Historical Society has manuscripts, letters, documents, family files, photographs, maps and books relating to Goochland's history. The Society's Library and the County Record Office are other resources in the county.

Louisa - Louisa County Historical Society Museum is located in the old jail on the Louisa County Court House Square.

South Boston - The South Boston-Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History includes a Genealogy Room to trace your family history in the area.

South Boston - Also visit the Halifax County Historical Society.

Richmond - The Virginia Genealogical Society offers conferences, publications and the Virginia Institute of Genealogical Research.

Chesapeake Bay

Lancaster - The Mary Ball Washington Museum features an extensive library and genealogical research dating back to 1651.

Mathews - The Mathews Memorial Library features published works, history and genealogy files as well as maps and special collections of rare documents and photographs.

Coastal Virginia - Eastern Shore

Onancock - Ker Place is the home of the Eastern Shore Historical Society.

Northern Virginia

The Plains -The Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County is an African-American museum and genealogical resource center aka AAHA. The library contains more than 1,600 titles and necessary resources documenting early African Americans, free and enslaved, in the surrounding areas.

Arlington - The Arlington Historical Society Museum is operated by the Historical Society.

Marshall - The Fauquier Heritage Society for Local History & Genealogy has a research library with collections of noted historians and materials from the Afro-American Historical Association.

Gum Springs - The Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum spotlights the oldest African-American community in Fairfax County.

Lovettsville - The Lovettsville Historical Society Museum provides information regarding genealogy, history of families, homes, buildings, businesses and organizations of Lovettsville - The German Settlement in Northern Virginia.

Shenandoah Valley

Lexington - The Campbell House is home to the Rockbridge Historical Society.

Dayton - The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society features an extensive genealogy library with guides to assist your research.

New Castle - The Craig County Historical Society, located in the Old Brick Hotel, has a Geneaology Library. The building itself is of interest, too, as folks claim, "past boarders include lawyers and judges, hot springs visitors, and maybe Jesse James."

Roanoke - The History Museum & Historical Society of Western Virginia includes a library

Salem - The Salem Museum & Historical Society is housed in the historic Williams-Brown House along the "Great Road," on which many immigrants traveled west.

Winchester - The Winchester-Frederick County Historical Society has an active publications committee and an archives room in the Handley Library.

Coastal Virginia - Hampton Roads

Chesapeake - The J.J. Moore Visitor, Archives & Family Life Center is a repository of documents, pictures and records of Cuffey town, Gabriel Chapel Church, and Afro-Union, Afro-Virginian and Afro-Norfolk County military, political and educational histories.

Newport News - The volunteer genealogists at Hugh S. Watson, Jr. Genealogical Society of Tidewater Virginia can assist you on their Ancestry.com-driven computers and archives to locate your Virginia relatives.