Arlington County, Virginia Genealogy
Guide to Arlington County, Virginia ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.
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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[2].
County Courthouse[edit | edit source]
Arlington County Courthouse
1425 North Courthouse Road
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-228-7900
Arlington County Website
Clerk Circuit Court has birth, marriage, death, land and court records [3]
Arlington County, Virginia Record Dates[edit | edit source]
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth | Marriage | Death | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1853 | 1801 | 1853 | 1772 | 1669 | 1778 | 1810 |
General compliance year is unknown. | ||||||
Record Loss[edit | edit source]
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There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county. |
Boundary Changes[edit | edit source]
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Populated Places[edit | edit source]
History Timeline[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.[6]
Resources[edit | edit source]
Bible Records[edit | edit source]
For databases and indexes, see Virginia Bible Records.
- 1607-2007 Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Biographies[edit | edit source]
Business, Commerce, and Occupations[edit | edit source]
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- 1800-1986 Virginia, Jewish Cemetery Records Index, ca. 1800-1986 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 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 Records[edit | edit source]
For databases, indexes, and information 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]
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Church of England
- 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 Records[edit | edit source]
Online Court Indexes and Records
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.[7]
Directories[edit | edit source]
Emigration and Immigration[edit | edit source]
For databases and immigrant groups, see Virginia Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups[edit | edit source]
African Americans
- See Virginia_Cohabitation_Records for links to online records.(see Alexandria County)
- 1865-1872 Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1935-2009 Virginia, African-American Funeral Programs, 1935-2009 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 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.
Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2009 Virginia, African-American Funeral Programs, 1935-2009 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Genealogies[edit | edit source]
Compiled Genealogies by Surname
- See Arlington County, Virginia Compiled Genealogies for a list of 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.
Guardianship[edit | edit source]
Land and Property Records[edit | edit source]
For land indexes, records, and databases, see Virginia Land and Property, including Colonial and State Land Grants.
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 and Gazetteers[edit | edit source]
County and state maps, historical and more current, are valuable research tools. For map collections, online and in libraries, see Virginia Maps.
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places:Cities and Towns in this couinty - How to Use FS Places
Migration[edit | edit source]
Military Records[edit | edit source]
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1861-1865 Virginia, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
Civil War service men in Arlington County 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 here:
- - 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).[8]
World War II
- 1940-1945 Virginia, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Naturalization and Citizenship[edit | edit source]
Newspapers[edit | edit source]
For online newspaper resources, see the Virginia Newspapers page.
Obituaries[edit | edit source]
Other Records[edit | edit source]
Miscellaneous Records
- 1607-2007 Virginia, Historical Society Papers, 1607-2007 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Periodicals[edit | edit source]
Probate Records[edit | edit source]
For probate records, indexes, and databases, see Virginia Probate Records.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1858-1878, 1868-1878 Arlington County Index to Wills and Estates, Book 9, 1858-1878, 1868-1878 Virginia Pioneers ($)
School Records[edit | edit source]
Social Security Records[edit | edit source]
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Tax Records[edit | edit source]
For additional online collections and the value and use of Virginia's tax lists in your research, see Virginia Taxation.
Online Tax Indexes and Records
- 1815 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer). By Roger D. Ward. c1997. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Pub. Co. FHL 975 E4w. At various libraries (WorldCat).
- 1829 A List of Tithables for the Town Part of the County of Alexandria, 1829. Original records, Arlington County Courthouse in Arlington, Virginia; FHL copy: FHL 1902939 Item 4.
Vital Records[edit | edit source]
For additional indexes, databases, and details, see Virginia Vital Records.
Birth[edit | edit source]
- 1853-1866 Virginia, Slave Birth Index, 1853-1866 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1912-1913 Virginia, Birth Certificates, 1912-1913 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1584-1917 Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Marriage[edit | edit source]
- 1660-1959 Virginia, United States Marriages - Findmypast ($)
- 1740-1850 Virginia Marriages 1740-1850 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1785-1940 Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1785-1940 Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index ; Also at: MyHeritage ($)
- 1853-1935 Virginia, Bureau of Vital Statistics, County Marriage Registers, 1853-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1936-1988 Virginia, Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Death[edit | edit source]
- 1853-1912 Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1912-1987 Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Divorce[edit | edit source]
- 1918-1988 Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-1988 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Research Facilities[edit | edit source]
Archives[edit | edit source]
Listed below are archives in Arlington County. For state-wide facilities, see Virginia Archives and Libraries.
Family History Centers[edit | edit source]
Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- 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
To locate the closest family history center or affiliate library, use the link listed above.
Libraries[edit | edit source]
Listed below are libraries in Arlington County. For state-wide library facilities, see Virginia Archives and Libraries.
Museums[edit | edit source]
Societies[edit | edit source]
Listed below are societies in Arlington County. For state-wide genealogical and historical societies, see Virginia Societies.
Websites[edit | edit source]
- Arlington County VAGenWeb Project, a part of The VAGenWeb Project, an affiliate of The USGenWeb Project
- Cyndi's List
- Site of Arlington Chapel Marker, The Historical Marker Database
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
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.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ VA Historical Boundary Changes- list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library; accessed on 11 April 2021.
- ↑ https://topics.arlingtonva.us/welcome-kit/history-arlington/
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Iowa.At various libraries (WorldCat); FHL Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia Contributors, "Arlington County, Virginia," in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlington_County,_Virginia, accessed 13 January 2012.
- ↑ "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.
