Bland County Genealogy Records

Bland County genealogy records are held at the Circuit Court Clerk's office in Bland, Virginia, with marriage, probate, and land records dating from 1861 when the county was formed. Divorce records begin in 1900. The county was created from Giles, Tazewell, and Wythe counties near the West Virginia border, and its records reflect the mountain families who settled this southwestern Virginia region. Researchers will find no known courthouse disasters affecting the collection.

Bland County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Bland County is the central source for genealogy records. The office holds marriage, land, and probate records from 1861, the year the county was formed. Divorce records begin in 1900. Court records also start in 1861. There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county, which means the records from 1861 forward are largely intact.

The clerk's office handles the standard set of recording duties that produce genealogy records: deed recording, probate of wills, estate administrations, marriage license issuance, and civil and criminal court case management. Each of these functions creates documents that researchers use to trace Bland County families. Staff can help you find materials, but the research itself is yours to conduct.

Bland County was formed on March 30, 1861 from Giles, Tazewell, and Wythe counties. It was named in honor of Richard Bland, a prominent Virginia patriot from the Revolutionary period. The county sits almost on the West Virginia border. During the Civil War, the county felt divided loyalties, and in 1864 a skirmish was fought at Rocky Gap in connection with a raid on the Virginia and Tennessee railroad. These historical events can affect what records exist and how they were kept.

Bland County Genealogy Records Available

Bland County's record set begins in 1861. Marriage records are available from that year. Land records go back to 1861. Probate records including wills and estate inventories also start in 1861. Divorce records begin somewhat later, in 1900. Birth and death records from the standard Virginia local registration period of 1853 to 1896 may be limited in Bland County since it was formed in 1861, after that period began. Check with the clerk's office for what survives.

For families in this area before 1861, you need to look at the three parent counties: Giles, Tazewell, and Wythe. Giles County records go back to 1806. Tazewell County records start in 1800. Wythe County records date from 1790. Each of these counties has its own clerk's office with a separate archive. Determining which parent county held the records for a specific family depends on where in present-day Bland County they lived.

Bland County is crossed by Interstate 77 running north to south, and routes 42 and 61 run east to west. Old US Highway 21/52 also passes through. The geography shaped where families settled and how they moved. Families living along these routes may have connections to neighboring West Virginia counties as well, particularly since the border is close.

Note: Statewide birth and death registration in Virginia began in 1912. For certificates from that year forward, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records.

Bland County Historical Society VAGenWeb

The Bland County Historical Society VAGenWeb site is a valuable resource for researchers working on this county. The VAGenWeb project covers Virginia counties and provides transcribed records, family histories, and research guides available online at no charge. The Bland County page includes county-specific information and links to records and finding aids for this part of southwestern Virginia.

The Historical Society itself maintains archives and publications relevant to Bland County genealogy. Their collections complement the official court records by including family papers, photographs, and local history materials that do not appear in deed books or will books. For researchers unable to visit the courthouse in person, the Historical Society can sometimes help identify what records exist and where to find them.

The VAGenWeb project also connects researchers to volunteers who can assist with local lookups. For a small county like Bland, where courthouse visits may not always be practical, having a contact through the historical society or VAGenWeb network can be helpful. The Bland County Historical Society is the local anchor for genealogy research in this county.

State and Online Resources for Bland County

The Library of Virginia holds microfilm copies of Bland County records. Their catalog is searchable online. Because Bland County was formed in 1861, the Library's holdings start from that year. For records from the parent counties before 1861, the Library holds those as well, under the Giles, Tazewell, and Wythe County collections. Staff genealogists can help you navigate the transition from parent county to daughter county for your specific research question.

Virginia Memory at virginiamemory.com has the chancery records index for Bland County, covering chancery court cases that may contain detailed family and property information. FamilySearch has indexed some Bland County records in their free database. Cemetery records on Find A Grave document burial sites in Bland County, including rural cemeteries in the mountains that are otherwise hard to locate.

Virginia vital records statutes under Title 32.1 Chapter 7 govern access to certified birth and death copies. Court and land records at the clerk's office are publicly accessible. The Virginia Genealogical Society provides statewide support including publications and databases that cover southwestern Virginia counties. The Virginia Courts site has case index data for more recent records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Bland. Each maintains its own genealogy records at the Circuit Court Clerk's office.