Search Northampton County Genealogy

Northampton County on Virginia's Eastern Shore holds what is widely recognized as the nation's oldest continuous court records, dating back to 1632. Genealogy researchers searching for Eastern Shore ancestors will find an extraordinary depth of documentation here, spanning nearly four centuries. The county's Clerk's Office in Eastville maintains these records, and the historic Court Green complex includes a Genealogy Center housed in the restored 1907 Jail building.

Northampton Circuit Court Clerk

The Northampton County Clerk's Office in Eastville holds one of the most remarkable record sets in American genealogy. The office maintains court records dating back to 1632, which predates the county's formal establishment in 1643. That record series is continuous, meaning it has not been destroyed by fire, war, or other disasters that devastated so many other Virginia county archives.

Northampton County was originally called Accawmack County. It was renamed Northampton in 1643. The county sits on the southern portion of Virginia's Eastern Shore peninsula. Its geographic isolation helped protect its records. The courthouse complex in Eastville, known as the Historic Court Green, is on both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

The historic buildings at the Court Green include a 1731 Courthouse, a ca. 1800 Clerk's Office, and a ca. 1814 Debtors' Prison. The 1899 Courthouse was restored in 2011 and now serves as the County Administration Office, with an exhibit room maintained by the Northampton Historic Preservation Society. The 1907 Jail has been restored as a museum and includes a dedicated Genealogy Center, making it one of the few county facilities in Virginia with a space specifically set up for genealogy research visitors.

Note: Researchers should contact the Northampton Historic Preservation Society directly for information about accessing the Genealogy Center at the restored 1907 Jail.

Genealogy Records Available in Northampton

Because Northampton County holds an unbroken court record series from 1632, the genealogy possibilities here are exceptional. You can trace land ownership, probate estates, court cases, and family transactions from the early colonial period. Land records, marriage records, and probate files are all part of this archive. Birth records began in 1853. Death records also start in 1853. Marriage records go back centuries before statewide registration began.

The Northampton Historic Preservation Society manages the Court Green complex and supports research access to the historic buildings. Their work preserving the site ensures that researchers can continue to study original documents in their historical context. The society's exhibit room in the 1899 Courthouse provides background on the county's legal and genealogical history.

For genealogy researchers, the depth of this archive means you can find documents about Eastern Shore ancestors going back nearly 400 years. Deeds, wills, inventories, court orders, and other records all survive in this unbroken series. Very few counties anywhere in the United States can match this level of historical documentation.

How to Search Northampton County Records

You can visit the Clerk's Office in Eastville to search records in person. The office handles court administration and record keeping for the Circuit Court. In-person visits allow you to work through index books and original record volumes. Staff can direct you to the right series for the time period and record type you need.

The FamilySearch wiki for Northampton County provides a useful overview of record types, dates, and repositories. FamilySearch has digitized portions of the Northampton collection and makes them available for free online searching. Ancestry and other platforms may have indexed additional records from this county.

The Library of Virginia in Richmond holds microfilm copies of many Northampton County records and supports remote research. Their Chancery Records Index includes Eastern Shore counties. The Virginia Memory digital portal is another online access point for state-level collections that include Northampton materials.

Note: For birth and death records after 1912, contact the Virginia Department of Health, which holds statewide vital records from that year forward.

Libraries and Local Resources

The Eastern Shore Public Library system serves Northampton County and holds local history materials that complement the courthouse records. Newspaper collections, family files, and local history publications at the library can add detail to what you find in court documents.

The Northampton Historic Preservation Society is an important local resource beyond just the Court Green complex. The society maintains historical records, photographs, and other materials related to the county's history. Researchers interested in the Eastern Shore should contact the society directly about what they hold and how to access it.

The Virginia Genealogical Society in Richmond offers statewide resources and research guidance. Their members have done extensive work on Eastern Shore Virginia genealogy, and the society's publication archive includes material on Northampton County families and records.

Northampton County Record History

Northampton County's record history is extraordinary. The continuous court series from 1632 survived the Civil War, courthouse fires that destroyed records in many other Virginia counties, and all the other hazards that erased so much of America's early documentation. Historians and genealogists have studied these records for generations, and many have been transcribed and published.

The county was originally called Accawmack, a name derived from the Native American people who lived on the Eastern Shore. The county was renamed Northampton in 1643. Its location at the southern end of the Delmarva Peninsula meant it was somewhat removed from the main theaters of conflict during both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, which likely contributed to the preservation of its records.

Virginia's vital records laws govern access to birth and death certificates. Older court records held at the Northampton Clerk's Office are generally open to the public for research. Certified copies carry a fee set by state law. The clerk's staff can advise you on what is available and the process for obtaining certified copies.

Nearby Counties

Northampton County is on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Accomack County to the north also maintains extensive genealogy records.