Arlington County, Virginia Genealogy
Guide to Arlington County, Virginia ancestry, family history and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, immigration records, and military records.
| Arlington County, Virginia | |
| Map | |
| |
 Location in the state of Virginia, United States Genealogy | |
 Location of Virginia in the U.S. | |
| Facts | |
| Founded | March 13, 1847 |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Arlington |
| Courthouse | |
 | |
Contents
- 1 County Information
- 2 Arlington County Virginia History
- 3 Places/Localities
- 4 Arlington County Virginia Genealogy Resources
- 5 Arlington County Virginia Genealogy Societies and Libraries
- 6 Arlington County Virginia Genealogy Websites
- 7 Arlington County Virginia Genealogy References
County Information[edit | edit source]
Description[edit | edit source]
Arlington County is located in the Northern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia and included in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. The name Arlington was chosen because General Robert E. Lee’s home of that name is located in the County, on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery[1].
Arlington County Virginia Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Arlington County Courthouse
1425 North Courthouse Road
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-228-7010
Formerly Alexandria County -
Clerk Circuit Court has birth, marriage, death, land and court records [2]
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1853 | 1801 | 1853 | 1772 | 1669 | 1778 | 1810 |
General compliance year is unknown. | ||||||
Arlington County Virginia History[edit | edit source]
Known as Alexandria County until 1920, when it was renamed Arlington County. The county was named after Henry Bennet, First Earl of Arlington (1618-1685), an English statesman.[4]
Parent County[edit | edit source]
1847--Arlington County was created 13 March 1847 from Fairfax County. County seat: Arlington [5]
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
For animated maps illustrating Virginia county boundary changes, visit "Rotating Formation Virginia County Boundary Maps" (1617-1995) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.
Places/Localities[edit | edit source]
Populated Places[edit | edit source]
Arlington County Virginia Genealogy Resources[edit | edit source]
Research Guides[edit | edit source]
- A Guide to the Counties of Virginia: Alexandria County [Arlington County]. The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 3, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1959). FHL US/CAN Book 975.5 B2vg. CD available at: American Ancestors ($).
- "A Guide to the Counties of Virginia: Arlington County," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 4, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1960):80. FHL US/CAN Book 975.5 B2vg. CD available at: American Ancestors ($).
- Genealogical Research in the Records of Alexandria City and Arlington County. By Suzanne Smith Ray. The Virginia Genealogical Society Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 4 (Jul.-Aug. 1984):1. FHL US/CAN Book 975.5 B2vt.
African Americans[edit | edit source]
Arlington County, Virginia Genealogy cohabitation records are available online. (see Alexandria County)
- 1865-1872 Freedmen's Bureau Letters or Correspondence, 1865-1872.
- 1935-2009 Virginia, African-American Funeral Programs, 1935-2009, index and images, incomplete
- Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. c2005. By Paul Heinegg. Online at: Free African Americans; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Search the Library of Virginia's Virginia Untold collection for digitized records related to African Americans in Arlington County.
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
Images of the Virginia Historical Society's family Bible collection have been digitized:
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
| Tombstone Transcriptions Online | Tombstone Transcriptions in Print | List of Cemeteries in the county |
| Findagrave.com | Family History Library | Findagrave.com |
| VAGenWeb | WorldCat | Billion Graves |
| VAGenWeb Archives | ||
| Tombstone Project | ||
| Billion Graves | ||
| See Virginia Cemeteries for more information. | ||
- 1800-1986 - Virginia, Jewish Cemetery Records Index, ca. 1800-1986
- Historic Arlington: A History of the National Cemetery from Its Establishment to the Present Time, with Sketches of the Historic Personages Who Occupied the Estate Previous to Its Seizure by the National Government... c1892. By K. Decker and Angus McSween. Decker and Angus McSween. Washington, Decker and McSween Pub. Co. Online at: Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Memorial Ceremonies at the National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Under the Auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic, May 30, 1868. 1868. By F.H. Smith. Washington, DC : McGill & Witherow, Printers and Stereotypers. Online at: Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Census[edit | edit source]
For tips on accessing Arlington County, Virginia Genealogy census records online, see: Virginia Census.
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1800 | 5,949 | — |
| 1810 | 8,552 | 43.8% |
| 1820 | 9,703 | 13.5% |
| 1830 | 9,573 | −1.3% |
| 1840 | 9,967 | 4.1% |
| 1850 | 10,008 | 0.4% |
| 1860 | 12,652 | 26.4% |
| 1870 | 16,755 | 32.4% |
| 1880 | 17,546 | 4.7% |
| 1890 | 18,597 | 6.0% |
| 1900 | 6,430 | −65.4% |
| 1910 | 10,231 | 59.1% |
| 1920 | 16,040 | 56.8% |
| 1930 | 26,615 | 65.9% |
| 1940 | 57,040 | 114.3% |
| 1950 | 135,449 | 137.5% |
| 1960 | 163,401 | 20.6% |
| 1970 | 174,284 | 6.7% |
| 1980 | 152,599 | −12.4% |
| 1990 | 170,936 | 12.0% |
| 2000 | 189,453 | 10.8% |
| 2010 | 207,627 | 9.6% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". United States Census Bureau. | ||
Church Records[edit | edit source]
Church of England[edit | edit source]
- History of Truro Parish in Virginia. 1908. By Philip Slaughter and Edward Lewis Goodwin. Philadelphia, PA : George W. Jacobs. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- The Truro Parish Colonial Vestry Book (1732-1785) and the proceedings of the Overseers of the Poor (1787-1802). Digitized images available online at Truro Parish Colonial Vestry Minutes.
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Arlington
Court[edit | edit source]
Indexed images of Arlington County, Virginia Chancery Records 1790-1842 are available online through Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index. These records, often concerned with inheritance disputes, contain a wealth of genealogical information.[6]
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2009 Virginia, African-American Funeral Programs, 1935-2009, index and images, incomplete
Genealogy[edit | edit source]
Compiled Genealogies by Surname
- See Arlington County, Virginia Compiled Genealogies for a list of a few + published books and articles, or jump to the surname using the alphabet bar.
Compiled Genealogies for Multiple Families
- Heinegg, Paul. Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware. 2005-present. - free online book. Cole, Ennis, Fletcher, Handless, Lucas, McIntosh, Nichols, Shorter, Thomas, Valentine, Webster families of pre-1820 Arlington County, Virginia.
Land[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- A Brief History of Alexandria County, Virginia : Its Wealth and Resources, Great and Growing Industries, Educational and Social Advantages. 1907. By G. G. Boteller, Crandal Mackey, M. E. Church, W. S. Hoge, Jr., C. B. Haller under the direction of the County Board of Supervisors. Falls Church, Virginia : The Newell Printing Co. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library, Hathitrust; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Arlington National Cemetery. 1988. By U.S. Department of the Army. Online at: Hathitrust; At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Arlington National Cemetery, Shrine to America's Heroes. 1986. By James Edward Peters. Bethesda, MD : Woodbine House. Online at: Internet Archive (eBook can be borrowed for 14 days); At various libraries (WorldCat).
- Historic Arlington : A History of the National Cemetery from its Establishment to the Present Time, with Sketches of the Historic Personages who Occupied the Estate Previous to its Seizure by the National Government--Parke Custis and His Times--the Career of Lee, with Descriptions of Life in Virginia During the Early Part of the Century. c1892. By Karl Decker and Angus McSween. Washington, Decker and McSween Pub. Co. Online at: Family Search Books Online, Hathitrust, Google Books; At various libraries (WorldCat).
Maps[edit | edit source]
for more resources
Military[edit | edit source]
Civil War[edit | edit source]
- 1861-1865 – Virginia, Civil War, Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865
- 1861-1865 – Virginia, Civil War, Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865
- 1861-1865 – U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 Ancestry
- 1861-1865 – [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2344 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 Ancestry
Regiments. Service men in Arlington County, Virginia Genealogy served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Arlington County, Virginia Genealogy:
- - 17th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company A (Alexandria Riflemen), Company E (Mount Vernon Guards), Company G (Emmett Guards), Company H (Old Dominion Rifles), Company I (O'Connell Guards), and Company K (Warrenton Rifles).[7]
World War II[edit | edit source]
- 1940-1945 - Virginia, World War II Draft Registration Cards,1940-1945 at FamilySearch — index and images
Miscellaneous Records[edit | edit source]
- 1607-2007 - Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
The Virginia Newspapers Project identifies local Arlington County, Virginia Genealogy newspapers.
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
- 1858-1878, 1868-1878 - Arlington County Index to Wills and Estates, Book 9, 1858-1878, 1868-1878 Virginia Pioneers ($)
Taxation[edit | edit source]
How can Virginia tax lists help me?
- 1815 - 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer). By Roger D. Ward. c1997. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co. FHL 975 E4w. At various libraries (WorldCat).
- 1829 - A List of Tithables for the Town Part of the County of Alexandria, 1829. Original records, Arlington County Courthouse in Arlington, Virginia; FHL copy: FHL 1902939 Item 4.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
Indexes to Arlington County, Virginia Genealogy births, marriages, and deaths are available online. These collections are incomplete, but are easy to search. Most records can also be ordered electronically online as well. Courtesy: FamilySearch. See also How to order Virginia Vital Records
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1853-1866 - Virginia, Slave Birth Index, 1853-1866 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1912-1913 - Virginia, Birth Certificates, 1912-1913
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1660-1959 - Virginia, United States Marriages - FindMyPast ($)
- 1740-1850 - Virginia Marriages 1740-1850 Ancestry ($).
- 1785-1940 Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940 at Ancestry.com ($) — index
- 1850-1881 - Arlington County Marriage Index 1850-1881. Batch M868475 at FamilySearch.
- 1853-1935 - Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, County Marriage Registers, 1853-1935 at FamilySearch — index and images
- 1936-1988 - Virginia, Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1918-1988 - Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-1988
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1912-1987 - Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987
Vital Record Substitutes[edit | edit source]
 |
For birth, marriage, and death record substitutes, see Bible Records, Cemeteries, Church Records, Newspapers, and Probate Records. |
Arlington County Virginia Genealogy Societies and Libraries[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
Arlington County Virginia Genealogy Websites[edit | edit source]
- Arlington County VAGenWeb Project, a part of The VAGenWeb Project, an affiliate of The USGenWeb Project
- Arlington County, VA History, Records, Facts and Genealogy (Familytree101)
- FamilySearch Catalog
- Cyndi's List
- Site of Arlington Chapel Marker, The Historical Marker Database
Arlington County Virginia Genealogy References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ https://topics.arlingtonva.us/welcome-kit/history-arlington/
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Arlington County, Virginia. Page 710 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Arlington County, Virginia . Page 710-723 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 715-720.
- ↑ Wikipedia Contributors, "Arlington County, Virginia," in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_County,_Virginia, accessed 13 January 2012.
- ↑ The Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, UT:Everton Publishers, 2002).
- ↑ "Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index Availability," Library of Virginia (accessed 26 January 2010).
- ↑ Lee A. Wallace, 17th Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1990). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 67.
