York County Genealogy Records

York County Virginia holds some of the oldest genealogy records in America, with land and probate records dating back to 1633, court records from 1633, and marriage records from 1772. One of Virginia's original eight shires formed in 1634, the county includes historic Yorktown and has nearly 400 years of documented family history. The York-Poquoson Circuit Court Clerk in Yorktown is the main place to search local genealogy records and trace family lines in this part of the Virginia Peninsula.

York-Poquoson Circuit Court Clerk

Kristen N. Nelson serves as Clerk of Circuit Court for the County of York and City of Poquoson. The office is located at 300 Ballard Street, P.O. Box 371, Yorktown, Virginia 23690. Phone: (757) 890-3350. Fax: (757) 890-3364. The York-Poquoson Circuit Court website has current information about available services and online access options for genealogy records.

York County was incorporated in 1634 as one of the original eight shires of Virginia. It was formerly known as Charles River County before the name was changed to York in 1643. The county is named for the city of York, England. Land and probate records go back to 1633, which is among the oldest local record sets in the entire country. Court records also start in 1633. Marriage records begin in 1772. Divorce records start in 1831.

The York-Poquoson Circuit Court handles land record recordings, marriage licenses, and other court services. Online records access is available through the Virginia Courts system. The clerk's office maintains the full set of county records for genealogy research, and the deep historical record set makes this a top-tier research destination for colonial Virginia genealogy.

Note: Staff at the clerk's office will help you find the right materials, but the actual research is up to you. The public records room is set up for self-service research by visitors.

York County Genealogy Records Available

The York-Poquoson Circuit Court website provides information about available services, contact details, and online access to court records for genealogy research in York County and the City of Poquoson.

York County's record set is extraordinary. Land records begin in 1633. Probate records start in 1633. Court records also date from 1633. Marriage records begin in 1772. Divorce records start in 1831. Birth and death records from 1856 to 1858 are held at the clerk's office, along with military records from 1943 to 1956. The depth of this archive, going back nearly 400 years, makes York County one of the most valuable genealogy research locations in Virginia.

The county was originally called Charles River County when created as one of Virginia's first eight administrative divisions in 1634. The name was changed to York County in 1643. Records filed under the "Charles River County" designation may need to be searched separately when looking for the very earliest documents. That early name change is an important detail for researchers working with pre-1643 materials.

The FamilySearch York County Genealogy wiki gives a summary of record types, date ranges, and where to find specific collections. FamilySearch holds digital images of some York County records and provides free access to indexed databases. The Library of Virginia's Virginia Memory platform also has digitized collections from the county.

How to Search York County Genealogy Records

Visiting the clerk's office at 300 Ballard Street in Yorktown is the most direct way to access local genealogy records. The public records room allows self-service research. Staff can show you how to use deed books, court order volumes, and probate files. Online records access is also available through the Virginia Courts system for more recent case information.

The York County government website at yorkcounty.gov provides general information about county services and can direct you to current contact information for the clerk's office. The website also links to the Virginia Courts Case Information System for online case searches.

Virginia's statewide birth and death registration began in 1912. For records before that year, the clerk's office and the Library of Virginia in Richmond are the primary sources. The Library of Virginia holds birth and death records from 1853 to 1896 and marriage records prior to 1936 for York County. After 1912, contact the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records for certified copies.

Census records for York County begin in 1810. Virginia personal property tax lists from the late 1700s and early 1800s can help track families between census years. Colonial land patents from before 1700 are available through the Library of Virginia's land patent books and are especially useful for tracing early Virginia families who appear in York County records.

Libraries and Research Resources

The York County Public Library at 120 Colin Drive, Yorktown, VA 23692 holds local history and genealogy collections. The library has materials specific to the Virginia Peninsula area, including York County family files and published county histories. Staff are familiar with local genealogy research and can help point you to relevant sources.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the College of William and Mary's Swem Library in nearby Williamsburg hold extensive colonial Virginia research collections. York County genealogy researchers can benefit greatly from these nearby institutions. The Swem Library has Virginia colonial records, published genealogies, and research databases that cover the broader Tidewater region including York County.

The Library of Virginia at 800 East Broad Street, Richmond is the main statewide archive. It holds birth and death records from 1853 to 1896, marriage records prior to 1936, and extensive colonial-era Virginia records. The Virginia Memory digital platform provides online access to many of these collections. The Virginia Genealogical Society covers all Virginia counties and publishes research guides that include Tidewater region material.

Note: York County's historical significance in the Revolutionary War, specifically the 1781 siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis, means that military records from that era may be held at the National Archives and the Virginia State Archives in addition to the local clerk's office.

York County Record History

York County is one of Virginia's original eight shires, incorporated in 1634 as Charles River County. The name was changed to York County in 1643, reflecting the English settlement patterns of the time. With land and court records going back to 1633, the county's archive is among the oldest continuously maintained local record sets in the United States. Those early documents cover the founding decades of Virginia's colonial society and reflect the land grants, estate settlements, and court proceedings of the earliest English settlers on the Virginia Peninsula.

The county's records survived through the colonial era, the Revolutionary War, and the Civil War without catastrophic loss. That continuity is remarkable given the county's historical significance as a major military theater. The 1781 siege of Yorktown, where British General Cornwallis surrendered to Washington, brought the Revolutionary War to an effective end. Records from around that period document the county's civilian life during wartime and the legal aftermath of the conflict.

York County's deep record set, combined with the nearby resources at Colonial Williamsburg, the College of William and Mary, and the Library of Virginia, makes this one of the richest genealogy research destinations in Virginia. Researchers tracing colonial Virginia families often find York County records essential. The county's long and unbroken record chain from 1633 forward, spanning nearly 400 years, is a unique resource for tracing early American family history in the Tidewater region.

Nearby Counties

These counties border York County Virginia. Each has its own Circuit Court Clerk with local genealogy records.