Smyth County, Virginia Genealogy

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Guide to Smyth County Virginia ancestry, family history, and genealogy. Birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, immigration records, and military records.


Smyth County, Virginia
Map
Boundary map of Smyth County, Virginia
Map of Virginia highlighting Smyth County
Location in the state of Virginia, United States Genealogy
Map of the U.S. highlighting Virginia
Location of Virginia in the U.S.
Facts
Founded 1832
County Seat Marion
Courthouse
VirginiaSmythCourthouse.jpg


County Information[edit | edit source]

Description[edit | edit source]

Smyth County is in the Southwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia and was named for Alexander Smyth, a general during the War of 1812[1].

Smyth County, Virginia Courthouse[edit | edit source]

Smyth County Courthouse
109 West Main Street, Room 144
Marion, VA 24354
Phone: 540-783-7186

Clerk Circuit Court has marriage, divorce,
probate, court and land records from 1832[2]

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records[3]
Birth* Marriage Death* Court Land Probate Census
1857 1832 1857 1832 1832 1832 1810
Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1912.
General compliance year is unknown.

Smyth County, Virginia History[edit | edit source]

Parent County[edit | edit source]

1832--Smyth County was created 23 February 1832 from Washington and Wythe Counties.
County seat: Marion [2]

Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]

For animated maps illustrating Virginia county boundary changes, "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.

  • Lost census: 1890

Smyth County, Virginia Places/Localities[edit | edit source]

Populated Places[edit | edit source]

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[4]

Towns
Unincorporated communities
Census-designated places

Neighboring Counties[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

Research Guides[edit | edit source]

  • "A Guide to the Counties of Virginia: Smyth County," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 22, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1978):213-215. Available at American Ancestors ($).

African American[edit | edit source]

Smyth County, Virginia Genealogy cohabitation records are available online. See also transcription on New River Notes - free.

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.

Census[edit | edit source]

For tips on accessing Smyth County, Virginia Genealogy census records online, see: Virginia Census.

1840

  • Douthat, James L. 1840 Mountain Empire of Virginia Census. Signal Mountain, Tenn.: Mountain Press, 2001. FHL Collection 975.5 X2d 1840. Free online surname index and purchase details at Mountain Press website. [Includes Smyth County.]

1890 Union Veterans

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1840 6,522 —
1850 8,162 25.1%
1860 8,952 9.7%
1870 8,898 −0.6%
1880 12,160 36.7%
1890 13,360 9.9%
1900 17,121 28.2%
1910 20,326 18.7%
1920 22,125 8.9%
1930 25,125 13.6%
1940 28,861 14.9%
1950 30,187 4.6%
1960 31,066 2.9%
1970 31,349 0.9%
1980 33,366 6.4%
1990 32,370 −3.0%
2000 33,081 2.2%
2010 32,208 −2.6%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

Church Records[edit | edit source]

Baptist[edit | edit source]

Early Baptist churches (with years constituted):

  • St. Clair's Bottom (1791), Chilhowie, Va. Membership lists (beginning in 1791) and a history were published in the Appalachian Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 4 (Dec. 2005). Originally fell within the bounds of Washington County, Virginia Genealogy.

Court[edit | edit source]

Library of Virginia's Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index can be used to search digital images of Smyth County chancery records for the years 1833-1913.

Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

Compiled Genealogies by Surname


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Compiled Genealogies for Multiple Families

Land and Property[edit | edit source]

Local Histories[edit | edit source]

  • Boyd, Charles Rufus. Resources of South-west Virginia: Showing the Mineral Deposits of Iron, Coal, Zinc, Copper and Lead, also the Staples of the Various Counties, Methods of Transportation Access, Etc. New York: J. Wiley, 1881. FHL Collection [Includes Smyth County.]
  • Presgraves, James S. Smyth County Families and History. Wytheville, Va.: J. Presgraves, 1974. FHL Collection
  • Sheffey, John P. General Resources and Advantages of Smyth County: In the Most Attractive Section of Appalachian Virginia. n.p.: n.p., 1907. FHL Collection; digital version at Ancestry ($).
  • Wilson, Goodridge. Smyth County, History and Traditions. Kingsport, Tenn.: Kingsport Press, 1932. FHL Collection 547258 Item 2; FHL Collection 975.5723 H2w 1976 reprint; Sturgill, Kenneth Lee. A Complete Researchers Index to "Smyth County History and Traditions." Marion, VA: K. L. Sturgill, 1986. Index: FHL Collection 975.5723 H2w index and FHL Collection 6103880; digital version at Ancestry ($); World Vital Records ($).

Maps[edit | edit source]

Bristol (Independent City)Washington CountyRussell CountyTazewell CountyBland CountyWythe CountyGrayson CountyVA SMYTH.PNG
Click a neighboring county
for more resources

Military[edit | edit source]

Revolutionary War[edit | edit source]
  • Kegley, Mary B. Revolutionary War Pension Applications of Southwest Virginia Soldiers. n.p.: M.B. Kegley, 1997. FHL Collection [Includes Smyth County pensioners.]
  • A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census]. 1841. Digital versions at U.S. Census Bureau and Google Books et. al. 1967 reprint: FHL Collection 973 X2pc 1840. [See Virginia, Western District, Smyth County on page 136.]
  • Rejected or Suspended Applications for Revolutionary War Pensions. Washington, D.C., 1852. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1969, and 1991. Reprints include "an Added Index to States." FHL Collection 973 M24ur; digital version at Ancestry ($). [Includes veterans from this county; Virginia section begins on page 238.]
War of 1812[edit | edit source]
  • List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance... Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. FHL Collection 973 M2Lp v. 5; digital versions at Google Books and Internet Archive. [See Vol. 5, Virginia, Smyth County, p. 104. Identifies War of 1812 veterans living in this county in 1883.]
Civil War[edit | edit source]

Regiments. Service men in Smyth 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 Smyth County, Virginia Genealogy: [5] [6]

- 1st Regiment, Virginia State Line (Cavalry) (Confederate), Company A.
- 4th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company D (Smyth Blues).[7]
- 8th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate). Company A (Smyth Dragoons)[8]
- 13th Battalion, Virginia Reserves (Confederate). Companies A and D.[9]
- 21st Regiment, Virginia Cavalry (Confederate)
- 23rd Battalion, Virginia Infantry Reserves (Confederate). Company A (The Smyth County Sharpshooters), Company E, and Company F.[10]
- 45th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate)
- 48th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company A (Smyth Rifle Greys).[11]
- 50th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (Confederate). Company E (Smyth Grays) and Company L.[12]
- 63rd Regiment, Virginia Infantry (McMahon's) (Confederate). Companies H and K.[13]
- Marion Home Guard from Smyth County composed of about fifty men between the ages of 45-72 was organized in April 1861 according to information found on page 209 of the preceding reference.

Records and histories are available, including:

Civil War Battles[edit | edit source]

The following Civil War battles were fought in Smyth County.

Maps of Civil War battles in Virginia: 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865
World War II[edit | edit source]

Miscellaneous Records[edit | edit source]

Naturalization[edit | edit source]

Virginia Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1929

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

The Virginia Newspapers Project identifies local Smyth County, Virginia Genealogy newspapers.


Occupations[edit | edit source]

  • Cutten, George Barton. The Silversmiths of Virginia (together with Watchmakers and Jewelers) from 1694 to 1850. Richmond, Va.: The Dietz Press, Incorporated, 1952. FHL. [Includes a section on Marion watchmakers.]

Probate Records[edit | edit source]

Taxation[edit | edit source]

Online Smyth County, Virginia Tax Lists
Type Index Images
Free FHC Fee Free FHC Fee
Personal Property 1832 - - - 1832 -
Land - - - - 1832-1846 -
Personal Property - - - - 1833-1837 -
Personal Property 1838 - - - 1838 -
Personal Property - - - - 1839-1850 -

How can Virginia tax lists help me?

Bibliography

  • [1832-1850] Land Tax Books of Smyth County, Virginia, 1832-1850. Original records, Smyth County Courthouse, Marion, Va., microfilmed reproduction available at FHL.
  • [1832-1850] Personal Property Tax Lists of Smyth County, Virginia, 1832-1850. Original records, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Va., microfilmed reproduction available at FHL.
  • [1832] Personal Property Tax List, 1832, Virginia Appalachian Notes. Roanoke VA: Nov 1985. Vol. 9 Iss. 4; online at Roanoke Public Library - free.
  • [1832-1863] Tax Digests Virginia Pioneers ($)
  • [1838] The 1838 Smyth County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; index online at New River Notes - free.
  • [1838] The 1838 Smyth County, Virginia Free Persons of Color Personal Property Tax List; index online at New River Notes - free.

Vital Records[edit | edit source]

Indexes to Smyth 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]

Beth Fridley has published abstracts of the following Smyth County birth records online at Ancestry:

  • Smyth County, Virginia Births, 1875-78 [database on-line]. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
  • Smyth County, Virginia Births, 1879-84 [database on-line]. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
  • Smyth County, Virginia Births, 1885-96 [database on-line]. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

The original records covering 1853-1896 and an index covering 1853-1917 are available on microfilm at the Family History Library.

Marriage[edit | edit source]
Divorce[edit | edit source]
Death[edit | edit source]
  • 1857-1896 - Smyth County Death Index 1857-1896. Batch B868673 at FamilySearch - free. [17]
  • 1853-1917 - Smyth County, Virginia Death Registers 1853-1896 and Index 1853-1917. Original records, Smyth County Courthouse, Marion, Va., microfilmed reproduction at FHL.
Vital Record Substitutes[edit | edit source]
Tip
 For birth, marriage, and death record substitutes, see Bible Records, Cemeteries, Church Records, Newspapers, and Probate Records.

Smyth County, Virginia Genealogy Societies and Libraries[edit | edit source]

  • Smyth County Genealogical Society
    Website
  • Smyth-Bland Regional Library
    Website

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

Smyth County, Virginia Genealogy Websites[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smyth_County,_Virginia
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Smyth County, Virginia. Page 721 At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
  3. ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Smyth 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.
  4. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Smyth County,_Virginia," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smyth_County,_Virginia#Communities accessed 2 March 2020.
  5. ↑ FHL book 975.5723 H2w Smyth County History and Traditions, pages 237-239.
  6. ↑ FHL book 975.5 M2vr v. 29 titled A Guide to Virginia Military Organizations 1861-1865
  7. ↑ James I. Robertson, 4th Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.F. Howard, 1982). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 1.
  8. ↑ Jack L. Dickinson, 8th Virginia Cavalry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1986). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 25.
  9. ↑ William C. Pendleton, History of Tazewell County and Southwest Virginia, 1748-1920 (Richmond, Va.: W.C. Hill Printing Company, 1920), 629-630. Digital version at Google Books.
  10. ↑ J.L. Scott, 23rd Battalion Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, c1991). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 79.
  11. ↑ John D. Chapla, 48th Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1989). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 54.
  12. ↑ John C. Chapla, 50th Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1997). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 129.
  13. ↑ Jeffrey C. Weaver, 63rd Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Va.: H.E. Howard, 1991). FHL Book 975.5 M2vr v. 76.
  14. ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State, (accessed 7 August 2012).
  15. ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State, (accessed 2 August 2012).
  16. ↑ Heritage Preservation Services, Civil War Battle Summaries by State, (accessed 7 August 2012).
  17. ↑ Genealogical Society of Utah, Parish and Vital Records List (July 1998). Microfiche. Digital version at https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/images/3/37/Igivirginia.pdf.
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