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Nelson County, Virginia
Genealogy, History & Facts

Nelson County, Virginia Facts

When was Nelson County, VA Created?
Nelson County was established on December 23, 1807 from Amherst County .

What is the County Seat of Nelson County, VA?
The County Seat is located in Lovingston also, the county government website is www.nelsoncounty.com/ .

What counties are adjacent to Nelson County, VA?
Bordering Counties are Augusta CountyAlbemarle CountyBuckingham CountyAppomattox CountyAmherst CountyRockbridge County.

Nelson County, VA Vital Records

Where can find Nelson County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Nelson County vital records can be found at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Office of Vital Records which has Birth and Death Records since June 14, 1912 and copies of Marriage and Divorce Records since 1918 to present. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Virginia for current fees and application process.

You can search online for Nelson County BirthMarriageDivorce or Death Records. You can also order Order Electronically Online or you can download an application for copies of Nelson Co. Virginia Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Death Certificate Applications to mail.

The Archives Division has copies of surviving birth and death records for the period 1853 to 1896 and marriage records prior to 1936. Another resource is the Nelson County Health Department, 63 Courthouse Square, P.O. Box 98, Lovingston, VA 22949; 434-263-8315

Nelson County, VA Census Records

What Nelson County, VA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Nelson County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 18101820183018401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Nelson Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Nelson Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Nelson Co. Union Veterans Schedules is available for 1890. The Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. One can find free online and printable census forms to help you with your research. See Also Virginia Census Records Research Guide

Nelson County, VA Courthouse and Government Records

Nelson County Courthouse

What genealogical records can I find in the Nelson County Courthouse?
The below facts shows exactly what death, marriage, birth, property, wills, and court records are typically in Nelson County. The years listed below are the first noted records with this county. See Also Virginia Courthouse Records Research Guide.

  • Nelson County Clerk of Circuit Court
    • Address: P. O. Box 10, 84 Courthouse Square, 1st Floor, Lovingston, VA 22949-0010
    • Phone: (434) 263-7020
    • Marriage Records: 1808
    • Land Records: 1808
    • Court Records: 1808
    • Probate Records: 1808
  • Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850
  • Using County and City Court Records in the Archives at the Library of Virginia
  • County and City Research in Virginia Guides and Indexes – County and city records document the daily activities of the courts in Virginia’s counties, independent cities, and towns. The Library of Virginia houses both original and microfilm records for many of Virginia’s counties and independent cities. The guides list will help researchers navigate the complex variety of county and city records in the Library’s collections. It includes County and City Records at the Library of Virginia, Using County and City Court Records, Chancery Cases, Judgments, Lost Records Localities database and Burned Jurisdiction database.
  • Virginia County Records, VolumeVIVII , IXX – The records in these series were compiled as part of a series known as the Virginia County Records . The volume includes wills, land grants, and marriage bonds as well as other miscellaneous information on early Virginia settlers.
  • BLM Land Records

Nelson County, VA Societies and Family History Resources

What genealogical and historical societies, archives, museums, associations and libraries are available for Nelson County, VA?
A list of Nelson County Historical  and Genealogical Societies, Libraries, Archives. See also list of Statewide Virginia Archives, Historical & Genealogical Societies.

Where can I connect with other Nelson County, VA Researchers through message boards and forums?

What other genealogical resources are available in Nelson County, VA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Nelson County. A lot of these genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some call for a fee. This is just a listing which has been compiled or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another.

Nelson Co. VA Books, Newspapers & Publications

Nelson Co. VA Church / Bible Records & Cemeteries / Graveyards

Nelson Co. VA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Nelson Co. VA General and History Websites

Nelson Co. VA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Nelson Co. VA Military Records