Botetourt County Genealogy Records

Botetourt County genealogy records go back to 1770, making this one of the older Virginia counties for family research. The Circuit Court Clerk in Fincastle holds marriage, land, probate, and court records that can help you trace ancestors who lived in this western Virginia county. Whether you are searching for a specific deed, a marriage bond, or a will from the late 1700s, Botetourt County has a well-preserved archive that spans more than two and a half centuries of local history.

Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk

The Circuit Court Clerk in Fincastle is the main keeper of genealogy records for Botetourt County. The office holds an extensive collection that spans from the county's founding in 1770 through the present day. Staff can help you find specific records, but you will need to do the research yourself. Most records are open to the public during regular business hours.

Botetourt County was organized from Augusta County on January 31, 1770 and named after governor Lord Botetourt. That origin date is important for researchers because records do not exist before 1770. If your ancestor was in the area before that year, you would need to look at Augusta County records instead. The county seat has been Fincastle since the county was formed, and the courthouse there holds the full run of original documents.

How to Search Botetourt County Genealogy Records

You can search Botetourt County genealogy records in person at the courthouse in Fincastle. The clerk's office has indexed collections for most record types, which makes it easier to locate specific documents. Staff will point you in the right direction. Plan to spend time going through the actual volumes if you want the full text of a document.

For remote access, the Library of Virginia holds copies of many Botetourt County records and has digitized collections you can search online. The LVA is a strong starting point before you travel to Fincastle. FamilySearch also has some indexed Botetourt records, particularly for births, marriages, and deaths from the 19th century.

The Virginia Memory portal run by the Library of Virginia gives you free online access to land tax records, chancery records, and other older documents. These can fill in gaps when the original courthouse volumes are hard to read.

Note: The clerk's office staff assist in finding materials but will not conduct extended genealogical research on your behalf. You must do the research yourself during your visit.

Types of Genealogy Records Available

The Botetourt County Circuit Court Clerk holds a wide range of record types for genealogical research. Marriage records run from 1770 to the present, indexed in four periods: 1770-1853, 1854-1913, 1914-1938, and 1939-1973. This level of indexing makes it straightforward to search for a specific marriage event. Deeds and other land transactions also begin in 1770 and extend to the present, with full indexing and supporting Surveyor's Books from 1770 to 1914.

Probate records are another strong area. Wills, Bills of Sale, Inventory of Estates, and Land Divisions all begin in 1770 and are indexed. These documents often contain family information you cannot find anywhere else. A will from 1785 might name children, grandchildren, and neighbors who acted as witnesses, giving you multiple new research leads in one document.

Court Order Books run from 1770 to 1803 with indexing, then continue through Common Law Order Books from 1809 to 1903. County Court Order Books cover 1839 to 1867. Chancery Order Books extend from 1831 to 1896. Tithables for Volumes 1 and 2 cover 1770 to 1789. Minute Books run from 1772 to 1839, though two gaps exist: 1784-1785 and 1826-1827 are missing. Military Induction and Discharge Records for WWII are also on file, along with Guardian Accounts from 1799 to 1839.

Birth and Death Records in Botetourt County

Virginia required local clerks to register births and deaths starting in 1853. Botetourt County holds a Register of Births from 1853 to 1870 and from 1885 to 1896. The Register of Deaths covers 1853 to 1870. These early vital records are useful for tracking families in the mid-19th century before statewide registration began in earnest in 1912.

The gap years between 1870 and 1885, and from 1896 to 1912, mean you may not find a birth or death record for ancestors in those periods. In those cases, church records, cemetery inscriptions, and census records become your main tools. The Find A Grave database has entries for many Botetourt County cemeteries and can help fill in those gaps.

After 1912, birth and death certificates were filed with the state. You can request these from the Virginia Department of Health Vital Records office in Richmond. Certificates less than 100 years old have access restrictions depending on your relationship to the person named.

Note: Records from 1853 to 1870 were the first attempt at statewide registration and compliance was inconsistent. Not every birth or death in that period was recorded.

State Resources for Botetourt County Research

The Library of Virginia in Richmond holds microfilm and digitized copies of many Botetourt County records. Their online catalog lets you search for specific collections before visiting or ordering. The LVA also holds chancery records for Botetourt County through their Chancery Records Index, which is searchable at no cost online.

The Virginia Genealogical Society publishes finding aids and research guides that cover Botetourt County. Their quarterly magazine and special publications often include county-specific indexes and transcripts that are not available elsewhere. Membership gives you access to their library holdings.

For court case research beyond basic genealogy, the Virginia court system provides online case information for more recent records. Older case files remain at the courthouse in Fincastle and must be accessed in person.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Botetourt County. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk with genealogy records.