VIRGINIA'S BURNED COUNTIES
       
       
       Most genealogy researchers into early Virginia have encountered
       the problem of missing records in what are called the "burned
       counties."
       
       Actually, Virginia researchers should not feel especially
       disadvantaged. Over the years, many courthouses across the
       country have lost records in fires and, to a lesser extent, to
       floods. Then, too, records have developed "legs" and walked out
       with unscrupulous researchers.
       
       In the East especially, a great deal of destruction of records
       occurred in various wars--Revolutionary, 1812, and Civil.
       Altogether, a vast number of official records are no longer
       available to us.
       
       Approximately two dozen Virginia counties have had extensive loss
       of records at various times, primarily in the period from 1700 to
       1900. The loses are mainly due to the Civil War as Virginia was a
       major battle field. However, a significant number of records
       losses occurred as a result of fires and the Revolutionary War.
       Some counties experienced record destruction as many as three
       separate times.
       
       Virginia counties which have suffered the most severe losses
       include:
       
          Appomattox      Gloucester      Nansemond      Warwick
          Buchanan        Hanover         New Kent
          Buckingham      Henrico         Nottoway
          Caroline        James City      Prince George
          Charles City    King and Queen  Prince William
          Dinwiddie       King William    Rockingham
          Elizabeth City  Mathews         Stafford
       
       When one encounters--or fails to encounter records that are
       missing, there are other avenues which MAY help to fill the gaps.
       Here are some which certainly should be investigated:
       
             Federal Census Records (1970-Present)
             County Histories and Biographies
             Church records
             Vital statistics--births, marriages, deaths
                     (1850s-Present)
             Tax records, both land and personal property
                     (late 1700s-Present)
             Land office records (early 1500s- Present)
             Legislative Petitions (late 1700s-mid 1800s)

       When you run into the apparent stonewall of a burned
       county, you must not give up. That is the time to dig in
       your heels and keep at it. Often you can find a crack in
       that wall if you persevere.