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Roanoke County, Virginia
Genealogy, History & Facts

Roanoke County, Virginia Facts

When was Roanoke County, VA Created?
Roanoke County was established on March 30, 1838 from Botetourt County.

What is the County Seat of Roanoke County, VA?
The County Seat is located in Salem also, the county government website is www.roanokecountyva.gov/ .

What counties are adjacent to Roanoke County, VA?
Bordering Counties are Botetourt CountyBedford CountyFranklin CountyFloyd County (south/southwest), Montgomery CountyCraig County.

Roanoke County, VA Vital Records

Where can find Roanoke County Birth, marriage, Divorce and Death Records?
Roanoke 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 Roanoke County BirthMarriageDivorce or Death Records. You can also order Order Electronically Online or you can download an application for copies of Roanoke 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 Roanoke County/Salem Health Department, 105 East Calhoun Street, P. O. Box 1144, Salem, VA 24153; (540) 387-5530

Roanoke County, VA Census Records

What Roanoke County, VA census records are available?
There are many types of census records for Roanoke County guide you in researching your family tree. Federal Population Schedules are available for 18401850186018701880 (free index)1890 (fragment)19001910192019301940.

Roanoke Co. Mortality Schedules can be found for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Roanoke Co. Industry and Agriculture can be obtained for 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Roanoke 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

Roanoke County, VA Courthouse and Government Records

Roanoke County Courthouse

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

  • Roanoke County Clerk of Circuit Court
    • Address: P. O. Box 1126, 305 E. Main Street, Salem, VA 24153-1126
    • Phone: (540) 387-6205
    • Marriage Records: 1838
    • Land Records: 1838
    • Court Records: 1838
    • Probate Records: 1838
  • 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

Roanoke County, VA Societies and Family History Resources

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

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

What other genealogical resources are available in Roanoke County, VA?
The following are web links to Genealogy, Records and Resources pertaining to Roanoke 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.

Roanoke Co. VA Books, Newspapers & Publications

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

Roanoke Co. VA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories

Roanoke Co. VA General and History Websites

Roanoke Co. VA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers

Roanoke Co. VA Military Records